Dolphins Finally Deliver

Without scoring a touchdown, the Miami Dolphins turned the tables on the New England Patriots. All it took was some clutch kicking and dominant defense.

Olindo Mare had four field goals, including a 43-yarder with 10:24 left in overtime, and Miami earned a breakthrough 12-9 victory Sunday in a showdown of AFC East co-leaders.

The Patriots had won their four previous games against Miami, including three last season, but the Dolphins ended the streak with three field goals by Mare in the final 10 minutes. Miami (5-2) took over sole possession of first place in the division.

“It’s a big win because we haven’t beaten New England in two years,” receiver O.J. McDuffie said. “Now we’re on top. It feels good to have everybody chasing us.”

The injury-plagued Patriots (4-3) slipped to second with their second consecutive defeat.

“This was a very big game for us, but by no means is the season over,” quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. “Miami tries to play conservative and win with defense, and they did a good job of that.”

Miami won without scoring a touchdown for the first time since 1983 and hasn’t allowed a touchdown at home in 14 quarters.

The Dolphins held New England to 26 yards rushing and ended Robert Edwards’ scoring streak. He was the first player to rush for a touchdown in his first six NFL games.

“That’s a very good defense,” Patriot Coach Pete Carroll said. “They were all over the place.”

New England’s Adam Vinatieri kicked three field goals. Bledsoe went 13 for 33 for 240 yards and surpassed 20,000 yards passing in his 83rd NFL game. Only Marino did it faster, reaching the milestone in 74 games.