"There are five of them now. Five losses hang over the Patriots for the second consecutive season. With four weeks to go, they have control of their postseason destiny, but there is little room for error.

The Dolphins' 22-21 victory Sunday put added pressure on New England to close out the AFC East. The Patriots are 7-5 and 3-2 in the division, with losses to the Jets and Dolphins. They have a one-game lead over the Dolphins (6-6, 4-2), who have division losses against the Patriots and Bills, and the Jets (6-6, 2-4).

Not only did Sunday's loss, in which the Dolphins engineered a second-half comeback, frustrate the Patriots, but its impact on the standings could be critical."