By Simon Evans
MIAMI (Reuters) - The New England Patriots woke up after a slow first half to crush the punchless Miami Dolphins 41-14 on Monday, scoring twice on special teams, to join the New York Jets atop the AFC East division.
A dismal, error-strewn display from the Dolphins, whose quarterback Chad Henne threw three interceptions, dropped them to 2-2 on the season after winning their first two games.
The Dolphins led 7-6 at halftime but then self-destructed after the interval as New England (3-1) rang up their highest score of the NFL season.
The Patriots returned the second-half kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown, blocked a punt to set up another touchdown, took a blocked field goal in for a score and brought an interception into the end zone.
Ricky Williams scored with a 28-yard touchdown run to bring the Dolphins back into the game but their resistance was short-lived.
A 53-yard Dolphins field-goal attempt from Dan Carpenter was blocked, again by Chung, and Kyle Arrington ran into the end zone from 35 yards out.
Chung capped off his standout night when the safety picked off a wayward pass from Henne and raced home from 51 yards.
"It was a mess. It was embarrassing. These fans deserve better than that," Sparano told reporters.
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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