LeGarrette Blount Scores, New England Patriots Up 8 (Video)

Nov 23, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates running back LeGarrette Blount (29) on his touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Lions 34-9. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates running back LeGarrette Blount (29) on his touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Lions 34-9. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins were locked into a close battle in the first half, but LeGarrette Blount scored on the first drive of the second half.

The New England Patriots are trying to clinch the AFC East title Sunday and opened a 21-13 lead when LeGarrette Blount scored a 3-yard touchdown to cap the opening possession of the second half.

The Patriots led the Miami Dolphins 14-13 at halftime, but took the second-half kickoff and got started right away, with Tom Brady going deep to Rob Gronkowski for a 34-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage.

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Seven plays later—after a Brady scramble for 17 yards—Blount powered in off left tackle with offensive lineman Nate Solder in the game as an extra tight end.

Brady’s 17-yard scramble was his longest run in more than seven years, since a 19-yard run against the Indianapolis Colts on Nov. 4, 2007.

Blount isn’t getting a lot of work—six carries for 13 yards after his touchdown—but the Patriots (10-3) are closing in on their sixth straight playoff berth that would also be their 12th since 2001, the year Brady Wally Pipped an injured Drew Bledsoe and led New England to its first Super Bowl title.

Blount was signed by the Patriots after he was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers late last month.

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