Revived Patriots Run Past Dolphins, 21-10

John Stephens, the young leader of New England’s rushing revival, ran the Miami Dolphins out of a town Sunday.

The Patriots’ first-round draft choice rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown--the third straight game that he’s run for over 100 yards--to lead New England to a 21-10 win.

“He’s just a very talented player,” New England quarterback Doug Flutie said of the rookie from Northwest Louisiana. “He’s done a great job of setting up blocks the last couple of weeks.”

Stephens, who rushed for 134 yards 2 weeks ago and 124 last week, scored on a 13-yard run as the Patriots took a 21-3 lead at 7:16 of the third quarter.

The Patriots survived a Dan Marino-led comeback for their 11th win over Miami in their last 13 games at Foxboro.

The Dolphins and the Patriots, both fighting to stay in playoff contention in the AFC East, are now both 5-5. It was the Patriots’ sixth straight victory over the Dolphins.

“We’re playing the way we’re capable of playing now,” said New England’s Fred Marion, who had 1 of 2 Marino interceptions.

Marino, who directs the NFL’s top passing attack, brought Miami back to within 21-10 on a 20-yard touchdown pass to rookie Ferrell Edmunds with 30 seconds left in the third quarter.

Marino’s passing later took the Dolphins to the New England 6-yard line, but Roland James’ interception in the end zone ended the threat with 2:59 left.

Marino completed 29 of 51 passes for 359 yards. Jim Jensen’s 12 receptions broke a single-game Miami record of 10 set by Duriel Harris in 1979.

Flutie completed 7 of 14 passes for 74 yards and threw only 4 times in the second half. He remained undefeated as a starter at Sullivan Stadium, where he won 5 games for Boston College and has won 4 for the Patriots.