MIAMI -- Two yards from a touchdown on third down, Tom Brady took the snap and fell to the turf curled around the ball, happy to settle for a field goal. The high-scoring New England Patriots went conservative Sunday, and the approach paid off with another AFC East championship. Brady stuck with short throws for much of the afternoon and was content to hand off during a clock-consuming drive in the fourth quarter that helped the Patriots beat Miami 23-16 to clinch their fourth consecutive division title. "Its not supposed to be easy, and it wasnt easy today," Brady said. Dolphins mistakes proved pivotal. A botched punt, roughing-the-punter penalty and fumble by Miami resulted in 17 New England points, and another penalty negated a Dolphins touchdown. The Patriots (9-3) wore championship caps and T-shirts afterward. "Its good to be back in the post-season," coach Bill Belichick said. The Patriots have won six consecutive games and are assured of their 12th winning season in a row. The Dolphins (5-7) hurt their already slim playoff chances and lost to New England for the fifth consecutive time. "Too many mistakes," Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said. "To beat a good opponent in December, you have to play better." The Patriots finished with a season-low 321 yards, and Brady went 24 for 40 for 238 yards with four sacks. But with New England nursing a 20-13 edge midway through the fourth quarter, he led a 16-play drive that took more than seven minutes. After he curled up on the third-down keeper, Stephen Gostkowski kicked his third field goal to pad the lead. "Its always good to win," Belichick said. "Its not about the stats, its about wins." Brady was intercepted for the first time in 203 attempts, and for only the fourth time this season. His passer rating was a season-low 74.8, but he had at least four passes dropped, including a throw to Wes Welker in the end zone. And when the Patriots took over at their 20 leading by a touchdown in the fourth period, they produced their best drive of the day. New England went 77 yards, keeping the ball on the ground on 12 plays, to set up Gostkowskis field goal with 1:10 left. Stevan Ridley carried 10 times for 46 yards to spark the drive. "We pounded away on a great defence, and they finally gave in a little," Ridley said. Trevor Scott led New Englands stout defensive effort with two sacks, including one to force a fumble that set up a field goal. Jerod Mayo sacked Ryan Tannehill on third down midway through the fourth quarter, forcing the Dolphins to settle for a field goal. Welker tied Jerry Rices NFL record by making at least 10 receptions for the 17th time. He had 12 catches for 103 yards and a score. Tannehill went only 13 for 29 for 186 yards, and twice he failed to connect with an open Brian Hartline deep. "We just didnt hit the shots that were there," Tannehill said. "Im still kicking myself." Tannehill was most effective running the ball. He finished two keepers with brazen acrobatic leaps, vaulting over the goal line to elude linebacker Rob Ninkovich on a 2-yard touchdown run. The botched punt on the Dolphins opening series led to a New England touchdown. With the ball wet following a brief shower, punter Brandon Fields dropped a low snap and was tackled at his 12. The Patriots scored five players later on Ridleys 2-yard run. The roughing-the-punter penalty on Miamis Jimmy Wilson gave the Patriots a first down deep in their territory, jump-starting a 75-yard drive that ended with Welkers 7-yard touchdown catch. Miamis Reshad Jones made a one-handed interception and returned the ball 30 yards for a touchdown, but the score was negated by a penalty on Reggie Bush for an illegal block. New England then held, and Dan Carpenter kicked a 44-yard field goal. Notes: Dolphins T Jake Long left the game in the first half with a left triceps injury. ... Patriots G Dan Connolly left in the first quarter with a back injury. ... Ridley rushed for 71 yards and has 1,010 this season. ... Dolphins reserve S Jonathon Amaya was inactive after being charged with battery Monday in a confrontation with a taxi driver. cheap jerseys .Y. - Marcus Foligno considers himself among the fortunate with the NHL lockout preparing to enter its second month. Jerseys From China . The Three Amigos - Cutler has been in need of a reliable pass catcher ever since the Bears acquired him in 2009. http://www.nflchinawholesalec... . Five months after they brawled in Munich at a news conference, Haye put Chisora down for good with a left hook. No world titles were at stake in the scheduled 10-rounder, which was sanctioned by the Luxembourg federation because the British Boxing Board of Control wouldnt license either fighter after their shameful antics in Munich. [url=http://www.nflchinawholesalecheapjerseys.com/]cheap nfl jerseys .25 million. Foligno, acquired in a trade last week for defenceman Marc Methot, has 61 goals and 87 assists with 299 penalty minutes in 351 career games, all with the Ottawa Senators. NFL Jerseys China . After taking a 1-0 lead into the 83rd minute of Saturdays 1-1 draw with Chivas USA at Dicks Sporting Goods Park, the Rapids watched Juan Pablo Angel net the equalizer for the visiting side to leave with a point. CHICAGO -- Livan Hernandez is getting another chance, this time in Milwaukee. The veteran right-hander signed a one-year contract with the Brewers on Friday after being let go by the Atlanta Braves. "It came fast," Hernandez said. And he was glad to take it. The Braves designated Hernandez for assignment on June 15 and released him on Monday. He pitched 18 games for the Braves, all out of the bullpen, with a 1-1 record and a 4.94 ERA. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke said hell be used in long relief and as a spot starter. "Smart guy. Understands how to pitch," Roenicke said. "He doesnt have the stuff he used to have, but he really changes speeds really well." Hernandez is in his 17th major league season and has a career record of 175-177 with a 4.40 ERA. "I know a lot of people here," he said. "Ive got a lot of friiends.dddddddddddd" Milwaukee designated left-hander Juan Perez for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. The Brewers also reinstated shortstop Cesar Izturis from the 15-day disabled list and designated infielder Edwin Maysonet for assignment. They might have another roster move coming soon, with right-hander Shaun Marcum bothered by tightness in his right elbow. He was scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday, and Roenicke said the Brewers will decide within the next few days whether to put him on the disabled list. "We kind of know what we want to do already," Roenicke said. "Its probably more of timing with that. Figuring out for sure whats the best way to proceed." Marcum (5-3), who has a 3.39 ERA in 13 starts, had ulnar collateral ligament surgery in 2008 when he pitched for Toronto. ' ' '