Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs professed to have no problem with the final score. Quarterback Jason Campbell, on the other hand, said it's the NFL and everything has to be earned, then said his team wouldn't have done the same thing as the Patriots: "We tend to back off a little bit, because that's just what we do. Their motto might be different."

Patriots notables

Mike Vrabel had one of the best days of his career, with 13 tackles (11 solo) and three strip-sacks, all of which were recovered by the Patriots. He also had a three-yard kickoff return late in the game, his first ever, and his 10th career reception, all of which have been for touchdowns. Vrabel has a team-high 6 ½ sacks this season. … Matt Cassel's 15-yard touchdown run was the first of his career and a marked turnaround from last week, when his second pass attempt was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Miami's Jason Taylor. Cassel was 2 for 3 for 28 yards passing before ceding to Matt Gutierrez. … Yesterday was the first time this season that the Patriots did not have a receiver record a 100-yard game. Wes Welker had 89 yards on nine catches. ... New England extended to eight its record for most wins by 17 points or more to start a season.

Inactives

For the Patriots, the five players that did not practice last week were among the game inactives: running back Sammy Morris (chest), tight end Benjamin Watson (ankle), safeties Eugene Wilson (ankle) and Mel Mitchell (groin), and linebacker Eric Alexander (knee). Offensive linemen Billy Yates and Wesley Britt and defensive lineman Kareem Brown were also inactive. Gutierrez was not listed as the third quarterback for the first time this season and saw some time on special teams and in mop-up duty. … Key inactives for Washington included cornerback Fred Smoot and guard Randy Thomas. Former Patriot Reche Caldwell also was inactive.

-SHALISE MANZA YOUNG