With their 27-17 win over the Dolphins yesterday at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots took a major step toward negating a repeat of last year’s sour finish. They regained control of the AFC East with their third consecutive victory, an outlasting of the rugged and innovative Dolphins.
The Patriots countered Miami’s bruising offense with Randy Moss, who proved again why he is one of the most explosive players in league history. He caught six passes for 147 yards, including an intermediate throw over the middle in the third quarter that he turned into a game-winning 71-yard touchdown.
When Moss sprinted down the field, a stiff-armed defender behind him, an empty end zone in front of him, the Patriots had provided a pair of responses. The Dolphins may hold the ball with their vaunted Wildcat, but the Patriots can explode on one play. The Dolphins may be the reigning champions, but the Patriots are again the team to beat in the division.
“That was a typical AFC East game,’’ Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “It’s a big division win. That was a huge win for us.’’
The Patriots received contributions from across their roster. Stephen Gostkowski booted four field goals and kept kick returner Ted Ginn at bay with booming touchbacks. Adalius Thomas made a crucial third-quarter sack of Miami quarterback Chad Henne on a trick play. The offensive line, playing most of the game with Dan Connolly at center for the injured Dan Koppen, kept Jason Taylor and Joey Porter out of the backfield, helping Tom Brady complete 25 of 37 passes for 332 yards and a touchdown. Laurence Maroney ran for 82 yards on 20 carries.
But Moss, more than anyone, is the reason the Patriots are 6-2 and the Dolphins (3-5) lost their first game against a division opponent. When the Patriots reached their most desperate moment, they relied on Moss.
The Dolphins held the ball for the first 10 minutes and nine seconds of the second half, churning 66 yards over 16 plays. When Ronnie Brown threw a 1-yard touchdown pass out of the Wildcat to tight end Joey Haynos, the Dolphins took a 17-16 lead.
