New England Patriots defeat Miami Dolphins, 28-7

FOXBOROUGH - What did you do yesterday to pass the time while waiting for the inevitable?

I counted the diverse Patriots offensive sets (how about that I formation late in the third quarter?) and the number of fans dressed like the Grinch (at least four, from this vantage point). And the number of shopping days until New England wraps up this tidy little regular season in a big, red bow, lays claim to a perfect campaign, and celebrates the milestones of its prolific qua...

FOXBOROUGH - The problem with great art is that it spoils you.

For most of the season, Patriots fans have enjoyed pigskin Picassos. Yesterday, the Patriots resembled a paint-by-numbers kit - the end result produced the usual picture of victory, but it was lacking in style or sophistication.

Hey, they can't all be masterpieces.

After jumping to a 28-0 halftime lead over the hapless Miami Dolphins (1-14), the Patriots suffered their first scoreless half of the seaso...

FOXBOROUGH - In the third row of the press box at Gillette Stadium yesterday, a scout from the Jacksonville Jaguars watched the action on the field, copiously jotting down notes.

It was a reminder that while the regular season has yet to end, it's never too early to begin preparations for the playoffs.

The Jaguars were in town scouting the Patriots, studying the team's personnel, looking to uncover tendencies that could show up in a potential mid-January matchup. The...

FOXBOROUGH - Jabar Gaffney likely could have been forgiven had the flying body of Dolphins safety Lance Schulters thrown him off. Schulters, after all, took a not-so-graceful (and not-so-savvy) leap toward Gaffney as the wide receiver flew down the left sideline.

But playing the ball - and not the resurgent receiver - left Schulters as merely an unfortunate part of a highlight when he didn't get to the ball, with Gaffney gathering in the pass and heading the remainder o...