Patriots getting unusually sloppy.

Publication: South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service)

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COPYRIGHT 2005 South Florida Sun-Sentinal

Byline: Charles Bricker

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ Of all the foul-ups Sunday by the reigning potentates of the NFL, none was as significant to me as the proliferation of New England penalties.

You don't expect Tom Brady to throw for 300 yards or Corey Dillon to rush for 100 against every opponent.

But the one constant about these Patriots, winners of three of the last four Super Bowls, is an ability to minimize mistakes.

The Patriots were flagged for 14 penalties in this 27-17 loss to Carolina, 12 of which were accepted for 86 yards in losses. Many came on first down, placing New England immediately in difficult down-and-distance situations.

This was the most penalties against the Patriots since Week 2 of last...

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