Nov 23rd 2008 9:45PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Dolphins, Patriots, AFC East

The Dolphins had a chance to go to 7-4, take sole possession of second place in the AFC East, and elbow their way into the wild-card race. Instead, they watched the Patriots rack up 31 second-half points, which included Matt Cassel’s second straight 400-yard passing day.

There is no bright spot, however, no moral victory in all this; Miami faded down the stretch, something an aspiring playoff team can’t do at this stage of the season. But unlike last year, the Dolphins never quit, even when it was clear the game had long been decided. With the Patriots leading 38-28 and 7:12 to go in the fourth, Stephen Gostkowski converted a 30-yard field goal to make it a 13-point game. Seconds later, Channing Crowder and Matt Light decided to partake in a celebratory dance.

Crowder seemed to have a swell time, laughing as Light flailed away, but ultimately, both players were ejected (thanks, Dierdorf, for the keen observation!). And I suspect both players will also be doing some league-mandated thanksgiving when fines are announced later this week. The prospects of which must have Light all sorts of happy.