It was over when ...
The Dolphins called a halfback pass, executing a 19-yard touchdown strike from running back Ronnie Brown to tight end Anthony Fasano. The score gave Miami a 28-6 lead with 5:50 remaining in the third quarter and effectively broke the will of a Patriots defense that struggled to stop the Dolphins all day.
Game ball
The Patriots had no answer for Brown, who, in addition to a rare touchdown pass, scored four rushing touchdowns -- three in the first half -- with 117 yards on 17 carries. Give credit to Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning, whose trick play-calling, including three direct snaps to Brown, accounted for four of the Dolphins' five touchdowns.
Key stat
The Patriots were just 4-of-15 on third-down conversions, including 0-for-2 in the red zone.
Noteworthy
The Dolphins averaged 6 yards per carry. ... The Patriots' 21-game regular-season winning streak came to an end against the Dolpins, the last team to have beaten them in the regular season ( Dec. 10, 2006). New England's 12-game home winning streak also came to an end. ... The Dolphins snapped an 11-game road losing streak. ... Brown's five total touchdowns broke the Dolphins' record for most in a game, previously held by Paul Warfield (four vs. Detroit on Dec. 15, 1973) and Mark Ingram (four vs. the Jets on Nov. 27, 1994). Brown's four rushing touchdowns are also a Dolphins record. ... Chad Pennington was lined up wide as a receiver on each of Miami's direct snaps to Brown. ... Cassel followed up an error-free game against the Jets with two turnovers vs. Miami. Cassel was sacked three times (including two from Joey Porter) and faced pressure all day before being replaced late in the game by rookie Kevin O'Connell (3-of-4 for 25 yards).
