Patriots cement AFC East lead with win over Dolphins
The New England Patriots are in prime position to make another run at the Super Bowl. On Sunday, they scored two touchdowns in the 4th quarter to separate themselves from the Miami Dolphins to win 27-12 in the AFC East showdown at Foxboro. With the win, the Patriots are now 9-3 and have a two-game lead in the AFC East with only 4 games remaining.
The Patriots went into the 4th quarter with a scant one-point lead, 13-12; however, QB Drew Bledose gave the Patriots some space as he hit Keith Byars on a screen pass and the FB raced to the end zone for a touchdown giving the Patriots a 20-12 lead.
The Patriots put the game away when Ty Law intercepted Dan Marino late in the quarter and the cornerback returned the INT 34 yards to the Dolphins’ 6-yard line. It was just Marino’s second INT of the season. On the next play, RB Curtis Martin scampered through the Dolphins’ defense for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 27-12 lead ending the game.
Bledsoe had another superb day. He threw for 257 yards on 16 of 34 passing with 2 TDs. His first touchdown was a 62-yard bomb to WR Troy Brown. Curtis Martin rushed for 109 yards on 23 carries with a TD.
As for the Dolphins, head coach Jimmy Johnson wants his team to be built around a running game. It didn’t deliver once again on their dismal 5-7 season. The Dolphins rushed 22 times for just 83 yards. Marino led the Dolphins in scoring position on numerous occasions, but they settled for four Orlindo Mare field goals.
Next Sunday, the Patriots (9-3) will host the Indianapolis Colts at Foxboro, while the Dolphins (5-7) travel to Oakland to take on the Raiders.