MIAMI - Miami already knew it would be home for the playoffs. The Dolphins might have also ensured that New England will have to win once on the road to reach another Super Bowl.

A.J. Feeley's 21-yard touchdown pass to Derrius Thompson on fourth-and-10 with 1:23 remaining capped Miami's stirring comeback from an 11-point deficit in the final three minutes, sealing a stunning 29-28 victory over the Patriots Monday night.

Tom Brady had three touchdown passes for New England (12-2), but also had four interceptions - including one that led to Miami's winning score. It was New England's second loss in 29 games, but one that means Pittsburgh needs to win one of its final two games to claim home-field advantage for the AFC playoffs.

Miami improved to 3-11 and avoided - temporarily, perhaps - setting a franchise record for losses in a season.

"We could easily have 10 wins right now, but things haven't fallen for us like they should of," said linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who made the pivotal interception in his first career start. "But tonight, who cares what happened the last 13, 14 weeks of the season? We just beat the defending Super Bowl champions. That's all that matters."

Brady's third touchdown pass, a 2-yarder to Daniel Graham with 3:59 left, put the Patriots ahead 28-17 and seemed to wrap up a victory for the visitors. Heads drooped on the Miami sideline, and fans who braved an unseasonable 52-degree night in South Florida began making their way to the exit.

They missed the highlight of Miami's season.

Sammy Morris' 1-yard run, his second touchdown of the game, capped a seven-play, 68-yard drive that drew Miami within 28-23 with 2:07 left.

And then Brady made an uncharacteristic mistake. Instead of just taking a sack by Jason Taylor on third down and resigning New England to punting the ball, he spun and threw blindly upfield.

"It's just not a good play and if we want to win these games, we can't do that," said Brady, who fell to 5-3 against Miami. "We've got to play better and it starts with me. I've got to go out and play better."

Added Taylor: "Was I surprised he threw it? I was. But I was glad he did."

Ayanbadejo caught it with ease, and moments later, the Dolphins scored and salvaged some pride from a lost season. Feeley's throw to Thompson was perfect, in a position where only he could catch it - and where defensive back Troy Brown had no chance.

Feeley finished 22-of-35 for 198 yards, one touchdown and - for the first time as a Miami starter - no interceptions.

"It's a testament to A.J. Feeley and what he's done for us all year," said safety Sammy Knight, who had two interceptions. "He's had some hard times, some tough times, but tonight he hung in there, made some crucial throws, made some crucial plays for us."

Brady's fourth interception sailed to Arturo Freeman with 58 seconds left, and Miami ran out the clock.

"We just didn't get it done in any phase of the game," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. "It certainly wasn't any one play. It was a combination of a lot of things and for the most part, they were in Miami's favor - especially at the end."

The Patriots lost despite a 121-yard rushing performance by Corey Dillon, and they lost after leading at halftime for the first time in 32 games. Dillon ran for one touchdown and caught a pass from Brady for another.

Kevin Faulk also had a touchdown catch, a 31-yarder that started the scoring and extended New England's NFL-record streak of games scoring first to 19 - 22 including last year's playoff run.

"We can't fault anybody but ourselves," Patriots safety Rodney Harrison said. "We had the lead with four minutes to go and we blew it."

Travis Minor had a 1-yard scoring run for Miami, which beat New England for the first time in the teams' last five meetings.

The victory fattens the resume of interim coach Jim Bates, who is expected to interview for the coaching job Tuesday.

"We'll think about that tomorrow," Bates said. "Right now, I'm just enjoying this victory."

Notes:

Olindo Mare surpassed Garo Yepremian as

the Dolphins' career scoring leader with 833 points. ... The Dolphins improved to 1-9 when trailing to start the fourth quarter. ... The Patriots have won only once in their last seven trips to Miami. ... New England had won its last nine games that were decided by 10 points or less. The Dolphins were 1-9 in their last 10 in that category.