That euphoric feeling the New England Patriots and their fans had after defeating the New York Jets in week two faded quickly on Sunday. The Miami Dolphins looked like the team that went 1-15 last season, against the Arizona Cardinals in week two. But Sunday Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown was a one man wrecking crew against the Patriots. Brown took over the contest as he did just about everything but take tickets in this game. He rushed for four touchdowns and threw for one more, as Miami beat up on the Patriots in front of the Foxborough faithful, for their first win of the season by a score of 38-13. The win may have been the biggest upset so far in the young NFL campaign.

The Dolphins truly looked over matched against the Cardinals last week as they lost 31-10. Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner to look like he did when he was taking the St. Louis Rams to Super Bowls. Miami quarterback Chad Pennington was benched in the second half of that game as the rookie Chad Henne came into the game. The Dolphins running game was non-existent as Ricky Williams rushed for a total of 28 yards, and Brown rushed for only 25 more.

Both running backs stepped it up big time Sunday, but Brown was truly the “X Factor” in this game. He put Miami in the scoring column with 2:29 left in the first quarter as he scored his first touchdown of the day on a 2 yard run. Dan Carpenter’s kick for the extra point was good, and the Dolphins led 7-0 at the end of the first.

Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski put his team on the board as he kicked a 37 yard field goal with 11:31 left in the quarter. Brown scored his second touchdown on a 15 yard run with 8:19 remaining, after the Carpenter kick Miami lead 14-3. Gostkowski put a 44 yard field goal through the uprights with 4:54 on the clock to get New England closer at 14-6. Brown would finish his first half heroics as he sprinted 5 yards in to the end zone for touchdown number three. Carpenter’s point after made it a 21-6 lead for the Dolphins at the half.

Brown apparently was not challenged enough scoring touchdowns with his legs, so in the third quarter he got one with his arm. The running back hit Anthony Fasano with a 19 yard pass, with 5:46 remaining in the third for another touchdown. Carpenter’s kick was good, making it 28-6 Miami. The Patriots who were not only without Tom Brady who is done for the season, but running back Laurence Maroney was out as well. Maroney was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Brady’s replacement Matt Cassel got his only score of the game with 3:20 left in the period as he connected with Jabar Gaffney for a 5 yard pass for a touchdown. Gostkowski’s kick for the point after was good, and the period ended with Miami leading New England 28-13.

Brown’s icing on the cake was a 62 yard run for his fourth rushing TD of the afternoon at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Carpenter got the point after making it a 35-13 score  with 14:49 left in the game. Carpenter kicked a 39 yard field goal with 6:08 remaining to make the final score 38-13.

Dolphins quarterback Pennington did what he needed to do, manage a mistake free offense. He was 17/20 for 226 yards, as he basically let Brown do all the  scoring.  Cassel was 19/31 for the Patriots for 131 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 pick. New England who falls to 2-1 lost their first regular season game since December 10, 2006 when they lost to Miami 21-0. The Patriots won their next 21 regular season games. Miami, is now 1-2 both teams have next week as their Bye week.

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