Patriots 23, Dolphins 16

Patriots defeat Dolphins to clinch AFC East title

New England, even with an offense that struggled at times, outmuscled Miami to claim its fourth straight division crown.

Linebacker Jerod Mayo sacked Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill on a key fourth-quarter play that forced Miami to settle for a field goal.

jim davis/globe staff

Linebacker Jerod Mayo sacked Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill on a key fourth-quarter play that forced Miami to settle for a field goal.

Matthew Slater, left, and Marquice Cole ran off the field with smiles after beating the Dolphins and earning the AFC East crown.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Matthew Slater, left, and Marquice Cole ran off the field with smiles after beating the Dolphins and earning the AFC East crown.

Wes Welker scored a touchdown among his 10 catches in the first half for the Patriots.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Wes Welker scored a touchdown among his 10 catches in the first half for the Patriots.

Ryan Tannehill jumped into the end zone to score the Dolphins' only touchdown of the first half just before halftime.

John Bazemore/AP

Ryan Tannehill jumped into the end zone to score the Dolphins' only touchdown of the first half just before halftime.

The Patriots capitalized on two Dolphins mistakes in the first half (a fumble and a botched punt) to build a lead.

John Bazemore/AP

The Patriots capitalized on two Dolphins mistakes in the first half (a fumble and a botched punt) to build a lead.

Stevan Ridley ran in from 2 yards out with the first touchdown of the game for the Patriots.

John Bazemore/AP

Stevan Ridley ran in from 2 yards out with the first touchdown of the game for the Patriots.

Dolphins punter Brandon Fields couldn't handle this snap in the first quarter, a mistake that led to a Patriots touchdown.

John Bazemore/AP

Dolphins punter Brandon Fields couldn't handle this snap in the first quarter, a mistake that led to a Patriots touchdown.

Tom Brady was sacked by Dolphins safety Reshad Jones in the fourth quarter.

jim davis/globe staff

Tom Brady was sacked by Dolphins safety Reshad Jones in the fourth quarter.

Defensive end Cameron Wake had a grip on Brady’s leg, but Brady was able to complete the pass to Welker in the first quarter.

jim davis/globe staff

Defensive end Cameron Wake had a grip on Brady’s leg, but Brady was able to complete the pass to Welker in the first quarter.

Defensive end Trevor Scott reacted after sacking Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

jim davis/globe staff

Defensive end Trevor Scott reacted after sacking Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Patriots running backs Stevan Ridley (left) and Danny Woodhead prepared to take the field for pre-game warmups.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Patriots running backs Stevan Ridley (left) and Danny Woodhead prepared to take the field for pre-game warmups.

Tom Brady called out a play during the second half.

Brady: ‘That was a great win’

Tom Brady said Patriots made plays when they had to against a tough Dolphins team, “so it was a great win.”

Celtics coach Doc Rivers played for Rick Majerus, seen in this 2007 photo, and remained close to him.

on basketball

For Doc Rivers, the game takes a back seat to life

The death of Rick Majerus, a former coach and close friend of Doc Rivers, was emotional for the Celtics coach.

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Berklee student Michal Skrzypek made more than 1,000 trips on a Hubway bicycle this year.

Hubway exceeds expectations as it closes for winter

The bike-sharing program registered roughly 50 percent more rides than planners hoped, and officials are now envisioning a year-round program in the future.

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Books

Governor and mildly obsessed with Churchill

Deval Patrick

If Deval Patrick is prepared for his next appearance he reads in his car as he crisscrosses the state.