Miami (AP) — The New England Patriots had another big night, and this time
the NFL's highest-scoring team totaled most of its points with Tom
Brady and the rest of the offense cheering from the sideline.
Patrick
Chung blocked two kicks and returned an interception for a touchdown,
and New England scored twice on special teams to beat the hapless Miami
Dolphins 41-14 on Monday night.
Brady threw for only 153 yards,
and Randy Moss was held without a catch for the first time since 2006,
but the Patriots still registered their biggest point total yet. They're
averaging 33 points per game.
New England trailed 7-6 at
halftime, but when Brandon Tate returned the second half kickoff 103
yards for a score, the deluge was on before a stunned crowd. In the
fourth quarter, the stadium quickly emptied.
"Where's everyone going? 'The party' is just getting started at Sun Life Stadium," the Patriots posted on their Twitter feed.
"We
had a tidal wave hit us," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. "It was a
mess. Embarrassing. These fans deserve better than this."
New
England (3-1) moved into a tie with the New York Jets for first place in
the AFC East, while the Dolphins (2-2) dropped to third place with
their second divisional loss at home in eight days.
Chung blocked a punt to set up a touchdown, then blocked a field goal that Kyle Arrington returned 35 yards for a score.
"We practiced everything that happened — all of those blocks, and people doing their job allowed me to make a play," Chung said.
He returned an interception 51 yards for New England's final score.
Another
unexpected contribution came from linebacker Rob Ninkovich, who had the
first two interceptions of his five-year career. Chung and Arrington
scored their first career TDs, and Patriots reserve fullback Danny
Woodhead scored on an 11-yard reception.
The Patriots totaled 17 points in a span of 2:16 bridging halftime to take command.
Miami's
Chad Henne was 29 of 39 for 302 yards and two scores, but he was yanked
with 6 1/2 minutes left after tying a career high with his third
interception.
Henne blamed his first turnover on a forced pass, the second on inaccuracy and the last on a miscommunication.
"Overall it's my fault," he said. "I'll take that one as a quarterback. I'll put that on my shoulders."
The pass picked off by Chung was especially ugly.
"It shocked me," he said. "I was like, 'He threw it? Thanks.'"
Tyler Thigpen finished up and threw the Dolphins' fourth interception.
The
Dolphins lost even though they netted 400 yards and had 23 first downs.
Ninkovich's picks set up two field goals, and New England held Ronnie
Brown to 27 yards rushing.
The Dolphins had a punt blocked for the second week in a row.
Tate
took the second-half kickoff in the end zone, cut toward the right
sideline and scored untouched, giving the Patriots their first lead.
Miami went three and out, and Chung blocked Brandon Fields' punt.
"It's
not the guy who blocks it, it's the other guys that hit the gaps and
take the blockers and open it up for the guy that they missed," Patriots
coach Bill Belichick said. "It was a nice job by the whole team. ...
We've been close on a couple and haven't gotten them, so it was great to
get them."
Two plays later, BenJarvus Green-Ellis scored on a 12-yard run.
When
the Dolphins lined up for a 53-yard field goal attempt that would have
cut the deficit to 10 points, Chung again broke through to block the
kick, and Arrington recovered with nothing but the end zone in front of
him.
"I was just fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time," Arrington said.
"Special
teams decided this game," said Dolphins kick returner Nolan Carroll,
who also plays on the coverage team. "It's a blow to our gut."
As a
result, the Patriots didn't need Moss. He was targeted only once, when
he stretched for a pass in the end zone, but the ball deflected off his
hands and New England settled for a field goal.
"If they're taking
one guy away, everyone else has to come out and play well," Patriots
receiver Wes Welker said. "It's a team effort, and that's exactly what
today was."
Brady was sacked three times but finished 19 of 24 with no interceptions.
Ricky
Williams turned a swing pass from Henne into a 28-yard touchdown,
helped by a downfield block by Brandon Marshall. Henne also hit Davone
Bess for a 19-yard score.