FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) Everything was going fine for the New England Patriots - a 14-0 lead, the opposing quarterback sidelined, a shot at staying in first place in the AFC East.

Then they got the ball.

Showing little offense after they scored two touchdowns on interceptions in the first seven minutes Sunday, the Patriots lost 31-30 to the Miami Dolphins.

"The frustration was great that we couldn't end the game (with a win) because we had so many chances to do that," New England coach Pete Carroll said Monday. "With all that's at stake, to win at home, to win the Miami game.

"I saw the Buffalo score on the scoreboard at some point. It just added to all the missed opportunities."

Since the Bills lost to the Oakland Raiders, a win would have given the Patriots sole possession of first place with a 5-1 record. Instead, the Dolphins lead the AFC East at 4-1, followed by the Patriots and Bills at 4-2 and the Indianapolis Colts at 3-2.

Because of the defensive touchdowns, the New England offense had fewer opportunities to get the ball and, Carroll said, had trouble establishing any rhythm.

The Patriots had the ball for just 19 minutes, 53 seconds, were outgained 317 yards to 259 and had only 14 first downs, eight fewer than the Dolphins. The worst part is that New England couldn't run the clock by running the ball. It managed just 46 yards on 14 carries.

"We haven't turned to (the running game) as much as we need to," Carroll said. The number of carries, he said, is more important than the total yards gained on the ground, especially when a team is ahead.

The only time the Dolphins led was when backup quarterback Damon Huard threw a 5-yard scoring pass to Stanley Pritchett with 23 seconds left in the game.

Huard filled in for Dan Marino, who left the game after Miami's second series with shoulder spasms. Carroll said the Patriots hadn't prepared for Huard, who is more mobile than the 38-year-old Marino.

Huard, who gained 54 yards on six carries, "didn't seem real fast but he picked his spots well," Carroll said.

He also rushed for more yards than the entire Patriots team. New England was led by Terry Allen, with 19 yards and a lost fumble on 10 carries. Rookie Kevin Faulk has been a disappointment but has been slowed by an ankle injury.

"We really need to run the ball more times," Carroll said. "When we did in the first four games we came up winners."

But the Patriots have lost their last two and have a home game Sunday against Denver, which had struggled until beating Green Bay on Sunday.

"We had a tremendous opportunity here to separate and be on top of the division but we didn't get it done," Carroll said.