Patriots 38, Dolphins 7
Tom Brady added two more touchdowns to his stellar season and BenJarvus Green-Ellis became the first New England Patriots running back to go over 1,000 yards in a season since 2004 in a 38-7 demolition of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Brian Hoyer added a touchdown pass in relief and Julian Edelman ran a punt back 94 yards for the Patriots (14-2), who did not even dress offensive starters Dan Connolly, Wes Welker, Deion Branch or Aaron Hernandez in a game they did not need to win.
Having already clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, Brady and company tuned up for the playoffs in fine fashion. Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for a 13-yard score less than five minutes in and Green-Ellis punched in from the 1-yard line later in the first.
A field goal and Edelman’s punt return made it 24-0 at the half, and Brady came out for another series in the third, hitting Alge Crumpler to bring his season total to 36 touchdowns against four interceptions.
Hoyer came on and did his best Brady impersonation, lofting a 42-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Tate to complete the rout.
The Dolphins (7-9) made it on to the scoreboard at the end but might not have done enough to secure coach Tony Sparano’s job for next season.