In 2008, behind coach Tony Sparano, quarterback Chad Pennington and the running back duo of Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown, the Miami Dolphins won the AFC East.
The next year, behind Tom Brady’s return from a torn ACL, the New England Patriots took back the division crown. That started one of the most impressive streaks in NFL history. The Patriots won the next 11 division titles. The previous record was seven in a row. In the age of parity, teams aren’t supposed to control a division for a decade straight.
That streak quietly ended Sunday.