MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The New England Patriots’ season rolled right along on Sunday with more celebration than complication for the N.F.L. defending champions.

Five days after a woman who was once his trainer filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida accusing him of sexual assault and rape, receiver Antonio Brown made his debut for New England in a 43-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

He caught four passes, one for a 20-yard touchdown, receiving a hug from quarterback Tom Brady and enthusiastic congratulations from teammates. Patriots fans cheered fervently. For the Patriots, legal questions were subjugated in a pursuit of victory against an overmatched opponent.

Asked how he weighed the decision to play Brown, Bill Belichick, the Patriots’ coach, said: “I’ll talk about the game; I’ve already commented on that. I’m not going to say any more.”