by Matt Snyder

Filed under: Dolphins, Patriots, AFC East

This was supposed to be elementary. When the New England Patriots beat the Dolphins in Week 9, they were 6-2 and appeared ready to make a run at the Colts for the best record in the AFC. Four games later and they’re now holding just a single game advantage over two teams who had been left for dead and on multiple occasions this season: the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets.

The Patriots’ loss in Miami Sunday afternoon was a pretty good parallel as to how their season has gone. They held a 21-10 lead just after halftime and looked to be in perfect control of the situation after an 81-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Sam Aiken. Instead, their offense fell apart, having their final six drives result in zero points — four punts and two Brady interceptions.