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Patriots could secure fourth straight AFC East title

Dec 5, 2006 - 8:27 PM New England (9-3) at Miami (5-7) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are closing in on securing their latest postseason invitation.

The Patriots could clinch their fourth straight AFC East title when they face the rival Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

If New England wins this contest and the New York Jets lose later Sunday to Buffalo, the Patriots would win their fourth straight divisional title. The Patriots are two games ahead of the Jets.

Brady, the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, and Belichick - considered the game's best coach - have been together for each of the divisional title.

However, Brady and Belichick have bigger things on their mind than the division. New England still has an outside chance at gaining home-field advantage throughout the playoffs since they trail Indianapolis and San Diego by one game.

Brady threw for 305 yards and Corey Dillon ran for three short touchdowns as the Patriots extended their winning streak to three games last Sunday with a 28-21 victory over lowly Detroit. New England did have to rally from and eight-point fourth-quarter deficit.

In the first meeting against the Dolphins on October 8, the Patriots were able to emerge with a 20-10 victory despite managing just 213 total yards. Brady completed 16-of-29 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

New England has won six of the last eight meetings from Miami.

The Dolphins had their four-game winning streak stopped last Sunday with a 24-10 home loss to Jacksonville. Joey Harrington threw a pair of costly interceptions in the first half and the Dolphins struggled defensively, allowing scoring drives of 95 and 91 yards.