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NE |
MIA |
Brady throws for 3 scores to help Pats beat Miami 35-14
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) The New England Patriots finished the regular season with a perfect road record, and are hoping their next trip is to the Super Bowl.
Tom Brady threw for 276 yards and three scores Sunday to help the Patriots clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs by beating the Miami Dolphins 35-14.
New England took a 20-0 lead in the first half, and turned away Miami's comeback bid with the help of a 77-yard touchdown catch-and-run by Julian Edelman and a 69-yard fumble return by linebacker Shea McClellin .
The Patriots (14-2) were already assured of a first-round bye but played all-out, as coach Bill Belichick had promised.
''It's just important to keep that foot on the gas pedal,'' Brady said.
New England became the ninth team since 1972 to go undefeated on the road during the regular season.
The Dolphins (10-6), beaten for only the second time in the past 11 games, had already earned an AFC wild-card berth and will play their first postseason game since 2008 next weekend at Pittsburgh. That made the thumping by New England much easier to take.
''Flush it,'' safety Michael Thomas said. ''We're still in it. Last year at this time we were going home.''
If the Dolphins beat Pittsburgh, they'll face New England again in two weeks.
''Can't wait,'' Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry said.
The Patriots had lost their past three games in Miami, and appeared intent from the outset on snapping that streak. By the time they led 20-0, they had advantages of 238 to 30 in yards, and 17 to one in first downs.
''This has always been a challenging place for us, for one reason or another,'' Brady said. ''But we just found a way to beat a good football team.''
After Miami mounted consecutive 75-yard touchdown drives to make it 20-14, Edelman caught a short pass from Brady, broke free thanks to a crushing downfield block by Michael Floyd and scored on the longest reception of his career.
When the Dolphins threatened early in the fourth quarter, Devin McCourty forced a fumble by Damien Williams, and McClellin returned it 69 yards to set up a touchdown for the game's final score.
The Dolphins were steamrolled by a Brady-led offense that wasn't forced to punt until late in the third quarter.
''He's a Hall of Famer,'' Miami coach Adam Gase said. ''It happens. A lot.''
Brady went 25 for 33 with no turnovers . He finished the regular season with 28 touchdown passes and two interceptions, the highest TD/INT ratio in league history.
He also has 51 career games with at least three touchdown passes and no picks, tying Peyton Manning for most in NFL history.
Edelman had a career-high 151 yards on eight catches.
Miami's Matt Moore, subbing again for injured starter Ryan Tannehill, went 24 for 34 for 205 yards.
INJURIES
Miami's Jay Ajayi went to the X-ray room after the game but said he was fine. He ran for 59 yards and finished his breakout season with 1,272.
NEWCOMER
Floyd scored his first touchdown with the Patriots when he caught a short pass and powered into the end zone for a 14-yard score to make it 14-0. Floyd was acquired last month after the Cardinals released him following a DUI arrest in Arizona.
''To come in at this point is very tough,'' Brady said. ''There's not really the time to make the mistakes anymore. But he's a veteran, he has played for a long time.''
CLIMBING THE LIST
Brady increased his career yardage total to 61,582 to surpass former Dolphins quarterback and Hall of Famer Dan Marino for fourth place on the NFL's career list. Next is the Saints' Drew Brees, who went into Sunday's game with 65,761 yards.
UP NEXT
Dolphins: The Dolphins will have a rematch against the AFC North champion Steelers, who lost 30-15 at Miami in Week 6.
Patriots: The Patriots swept the regular-season series against Miami for the first time since 2012, and could now face the Dolphins in consecutive games. If the Dolphins beat the Steelers, they'll play at New England the weekend of Jan. 14-15.
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Copyright 2017 by STATS LLC. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.
T. Brady
12 QB 276 PaYds, 3 PaTDs, 6 RuYds |
31
FPTS
|
|
M. Moore
8 QB 205 PaYds, 2 PaTDs, INT |
18
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
T. BradyÂ
12 QB
31 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 25/33 | 276 | 3 | 0 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. GaroppoloÂ
10 QB
0 FPTS
|
J. Garoppolo | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
L. BlountÂ
29 RB
11 FPTS
|
L. Blount | 14 | 51 | 1 | 19 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. LewisÂ
33 RB
4 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 11 | 48 | 0 | 12 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhiteÂ
28 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. White | 2 | 9 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. EdelmanÂ
11 WR
23 FPTS
|
J. Edelman | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. BradyÂ
12 QB
31 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 31 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. EdelmanÂ
11 WR
23 FPTS
|
J. Edelman | 13 | 8 | 151 | 1 | 77 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. FloydÂ
14 WR
9 FPTS
|
M. Floyd | 4 | 3 | 36 | 1 | 14 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. BennettÂ
88 TE
9 FPTS
|
M. Bennett | 5 | 3 | 33 | 1 | 20 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. HoganÂ
15 WR
2 FPTS
|
C. Hogan | 4 | 4 | 27 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhiteÂ
28 RB
2 FPTS
|
J. White | 4 | 4 | 21 | 0 | 8 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. LengelÂ
82 TE
0 FPTS
|
M. Lengel | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. LewisÂ
33 RB
4 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. McCourtyÂ
32 FS
|
D. McCourty | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. RobertsÂ
52 OLB
|
E. Roberts | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. RyanÂ
26 CB
|
L. Ryan | 6-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. FlowersÂ
98 DE
|
T. Flowers | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BrownÂ
90 DT
|
M. Brown | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. ButlerÂ
21 CB
|
M. Butler | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BranchÂ
97 DT
|
A. Branch | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Van NoyÂ
53 OLB
|
K. Van Noy | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. NinkovichÂ
50 OLB
|
R. Ninkovich | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. ChungÂ
23 SS
|
P. Chung | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HarmonÂ
30 FS
|
D. Harmon | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JonesÂ
31 CB
|
J. Jones | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. EbnerÂ
43 DB
|
N. Ebner | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. ValentineÂ
99 DT
|
V. Valentine | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. McClellinÂ
58 OLB
|
S. McClellin | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. RoweÂ
25 CB
|
E. Rowe | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. LongÂ
95 DE
|
C. Long | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HightowerÂ
54 MLB
|
D. Hightower | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. SlaterÂ
18 WR
|
M. Slater | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. SheardÂ
93 DE
|
J. Sheard | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
S. GostkowskiÂ
3 K
0 FPTS
|
S. Gostkowski | 2/3 | 40 | 3/3 | 9 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
R. AllenÂ
6 P
|
R. Allen | 3 | 48.7 | 0 | 56 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. DevelinÂ
46 FB
0 FPTS
|
J. Develin | 1 | 15.0 | 15 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. LewisÂ
33 RB
4 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 1 | 12.0 | 12 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Edelman 11 WR
23 FPTS
|
J. Edelman | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. MooreÂ
8 QB
18 FPTS
|
M. Moore | 24/34 | 205 | 2 | 1 | 18 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. AjayiÂ
23 RB
7 FPTS
|
J. Ajayi | 16 | 59 | 0 | 11 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. DrakeÂ
32 RB
1 FPTS
|
K. Drake | 4 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WilliamsÂ
26 RB
0 FPTS
|
D. Williams | 2 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. GrantÂ
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
J. Grant | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. LandryÂ
14 WR
13 FPTS
|
J. Landry | 12 | 9 | 76 | 1 | 14 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ParkerÂ
11 WR
4 FPTS
|
D. Parker | 7 | 5 | 45 | 0 | 18 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. StillsÂ
10 WR
10 FPTS
|
K. Stills | 7 | 4 | 41 | 1 | 25 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. WilliamsÂ
26 RB
0 FPTS
|
D. Williams | 4 | 3 | 23 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. AjayiÂ
23 RB
7 FPTS
|
J. Ajayi | 3 | 3 | 20 | 0 | 11 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. SimsÂ
80 TE
0 FPTS
|
D. Sims | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
B. McCainÂ
28 CB
|
B. McCain | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. PaysingerÂ
42 LB
|
S. Paysinger | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. RamboÂ
30 FS
|
B. Rambo | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. SuhÂ
93 DT
|
N. Suh | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. HullÂ
45 LB
|
M. Hull | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. HewittÂ
46 OLB
|
N. Hewitt | 3-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
X. HowardÂ
25 CB
|
X. Howard | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PhillipsÂ
97 DT
|
J. Phillips | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. ThomasÂ
31 FS
|
M. Thomas | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. LippettÂ
36 CB
|
T. Lippett | 2-6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JonesÂ
98 DE
|
J. Jones | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. AlonsoÂ
47 MLB
|
K. Alonso | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. WakeÂ
91 DE
|
C. Wake | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WilliamsÂ
26 RB
|
D. Williams | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. FedeÂ
78 DE
|
T. Fede | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ButlerÂ
56 OLB
|
D. Butler | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ReillyÂ
57 LB
|
T. Reilly | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. SimsÂ
80 TE
|
D. Sims | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BranchÂ
50 DE
|
A. Branch | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
A. FranksÂ
3 K
0 FPTS
|
A. Franks | 0/0 | 0 | 2/2 | 2 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. DarrÂ
4 P
|
M. Darr | 5 | 41.2 | 3 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Grant 19 WR
0 FPTS
|
J. Grant | 2 | 7.0 | 14 | 0 |