FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Thoughts on the New England Patriots' 41-13 win over the Miami Dolphins:
What it means: The Patriots improve to 11-3 and clinch the AFC East championship. They are still in the driver's seat to have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs if they win their remaining two games -- at the Jets and home against the Bills. The Patriots were shaky in the first half (14-13 lead at the break) before exploding in the second half, with one of the key adjustments getting tight end Rob Gronkowski (no catches in the first half) more involved in the attack (3 catches, 96 yards, TD in third quarter). The Patriots' 24 points in the third quarter were a franchise record in that quarter.
Brady's run the turning point. After a first half in which the Patriots' offense was starting to become more of a concern, quarterback Tom Brady took off and ran 17 yards on third-and-11 to extend the team's opening drive of the quarter. The play of the game? It was from this viewpoint, as Brady was fired up afterward, the Patriots scored a touchdown on the next play (a 3-yard rush by LeGarrette Blount) and never looked back.
Game ball: Tom Brady's feet. On a day when Brady was having more passes tipped at the line of scrimmage than the norm, it was Brady's feet that delivered the play of the game.
Chandler Jones makes return. Playing for the first time since injuring his hip Oct. 16 against the Jets, starting defensive end Chandler Jones made his presence felt. He was charted on the field for 55 of 81 snaps (including penalties), showed his trademark explosion in the pass rush, and finished with 1.5 sacks. Overall, the defense continues to make its mark.
Stat of note, Part I: Bill Belichick recorded his 229th career win (including playoffs), tying Curly Lambeau for the fourth-most combined regular-season and playoff wins by a head coach in NFL history.
Stat of note, Part II: Gronkowski became the first Patriots tight end to reach 1,000 yards twice in his career.
Stat of note, Part III: Kicker Stephen Gostkowski became the franchise's all-time points leader with a 35-yard field goal in the third quarter, passing Adam Vinatieri's mark of 1,158 points.
Injuries to monitor: No. 3 cornerback Kyle Arrington left the game in the second quarter (right hamstring) and did not return. ... Starting left guard Dan Connolly left the game in the third quarter with a neck injury and did not return.
What's next: The Patriots play their final regular-season road game, visiting the New York Jets on Sunday (1 p.m. ET).
