NFL

Patriots Defeat Dolphins 35-14, Lock Up Home Field Advantage

New England had lost in its previous three visits to Miami

The New England Patriots trounced the Miami Dolphins 35-14 on Sunday, clinching home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

Quarterback Tom Brady threw early touchdowns to tight end Martellus Bennett and newly acquired wide receiver Michael Floyd to give the Pats a 14-0 lead, and kicker Stephen Gostkowski tacked on another six points via a pair of field goals.

Miami then scored on an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Moore to wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Gostkowski missed a 52-yard field goal just before halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Moore threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kenny Stills to draw Miami within six points. Brady countered with a 77-yard scoring pass to wideout Julian Edelman and LeGarrette Blount finished off the day's scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run.

With Sunday's victory, the Patriots improved to 8-0 in away games and 14-2 on the season, clinching postseason home-field advantage. The Dolphins were already assured of a road game next week as a wild-card team - their first playoff appearance since 2008.

New England had lost in its past three visits to Miami.

The Pats' first playoff game will be Saturday, Jan. 14 at 8:15 p.m., when they will play one of three teams: Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans or the Miami Dolphins.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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