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FOXBORO, Mass. -- Bad news, NFL. The New England Patriots' defense is becoming dangerous.

The Patriots held the Miami Dolphins to just 234 total yards in their 36-7 Week 8 win. They allowed just 220 passing yards with two interceptions and five sacks. They were even better against the run, letting up just 14 yards on 12 carries.

The Patriots' defense is young, explosive and disruptive. They take away the opposing team's best player and cause havoc in the backfield in both pass and run defense.

We essentially could have given gold stars to the Patriots' entire defense, but here's who we singled out:

DION LEWIS
Dion Lewis didn't look limited by his abdomen injury in his return to the field after missing Week 7. The running back had six receptions for 93 yards with a touchdown and five carries for 19 yards, showing off some very nifty footwork.

Lewis clearly is the Patriots' best running back, and he's the best pass-catching back the Patriots have had since Danny Woodhead. He makes this offense a lot more dangerous when he's on the field.

CHANDLER JONES
Chandler Jones now leads the NFL with 8.5 sacks after a two-sack performance against the Dolphins. Jones recorded both sacks in the first half and finished with four tackles.

Jones' first sack was caused by rookie Geneo Grissom, who whiffed on a sack. It was all Jones on the second, however, when he beat a double team to get to quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

ROB GRONKOWSKI
Ho-hum, Rob Gronowski finished with another 100-yard game. He had six catches for 113 yards with a touchdown.

Quite frankly, the Dolphins didn't stand a chance of limiting Gronkowski, especially with just three days to prepare for the big man.

LOGAN RYAN
Logan Ryan picked off Tannehill and allowed just five catches on nine targets for 49 yards.

Ryan has been the Patriots' most dependable cornerback so far this season. He's getting better as the season goes along, too.

TOM BRADY
Tom Brady could make this list every week. I left him off in Week 7, however, so here he is.

Brady was great again, completing 26 of 38 passes for 356 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. H only had one carry for 1 yard, however -- slacker.

JULIAN EDELMAN
Julian Edelman started quiet, but he finished with seven catches on nine targets for 81 yards with two touchdowns.

Edelman now has six touchdowns on the season, tying his career high. It's Week 8.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
Safety Duron Harmon had an impressive flying interception in the fourth quarter that led to a Patriots touchdown. He also had two pass breakups and wasn't targeted.

Linebacker Dont'a Hightower helped hold the Dolphins to just 14 rushing yards on 12 carries. He also had a sack and three tackles.

Defensive tackle Sealver Siliga made an impressive tackle for loss on third and 1 in the third quarter that forced a punt.

Defensive end Rob Ninkovich and safety Devin McCourty also had sacks in the fourth quarter.

Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images