FOXBORO -- Less than five minutes after breaking loose for the longest run of his career -- a 51-yarder on the last play of the first quarter -- Laurence Maroney darted through a gaping hole off left tackle and sprinted 59 yards, untouched, to a touchdown that gave the Patriots a 21-0 lead with 10:04 remaining in the first half.

Once Maroney zipped past the line of scrimmage, there wasn't a Miami player anywhere near him -- no linebackers, no defensive backs -- leaving him an easy romp to the end zone.