National Football League

Pats clinch sixth straight AFC East title with win over Dolphins

Published Dec. 14, 2014 4:42 p.m. ET

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) The New England Patriots clinched the AFC East title for the sixth straight season as Tom Brady threw two touchdown passes in a big third quarter that carried them to a 41-13 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Leading just 14-13 at halftime, the Patriots scored on four consecutive series while piling up 24 points, the most in any third period in team history.

New England (11-3) can secure home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs by beating the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. Miami (7-7) saw its slim postseason hopes dwindle further.

The Dolphins cut the lead to one point at halftime on Ryan Tannehill's 32-yard touchdown pass to Mike Wallace with five seconds left.

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