FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – Tom Brady’s 82-yard touchdown pass to Troy Brown may have been the play that gave New England a 19-13 overtime win over Miami on Sunday, but it was the play of the team’s secondary that put the Patriots in a position to win.

The Patriots had the NFL’s second-worst rushing defense last season, but are ranked seventh this year and have not allowed a 100-yard rusher all season, including Sunday when they held defending NFL rushing champion Ricky Williams to 94 yards on 27 carries.

Head coach Bill Belichick, while crediting the entire defense with playing better defense this season, gives a great portion of the credit to the team’s retooled secondary.

“Our secondary is playing better in terms of their run force, and not letting the ball get outside” the coach said Monday, the day after the Patriots (5-2) snapped a five-game losing streak in Miami and an 0-for-13 skid there in September and October to climb into first place in the AFC East.

None of the four starters in the defensive backfield on Sunday was even on the team last season. Corner Tyrone Poole and safety Rodney Harrison are offseason free agent signings. Corner Asante Samuel and safety Eugene Wilson are rookies.

“When you have a little more team speed, especially in the secondary, you can make the play before the runner gets started,” he said, pointing to a play Wilson made.

“Eugene (Wilson) had one … where Williams bounced it outside, he got outside of the linebackers and the ends. (Wilson) came up and knocked him out of bounds there and it was about a 1-yard gain,” Belichick said.

“A lot of plays didn’t get to the secondary, but when they had to make them they were there and they made them,” he said.

Harrison, signed after being cut by San Diego, led the defense with 12 tackles, but he brings more to the team than just impressive statistics.

“He’s been great in coverage, done a good job blitzing, very productive in the running game and short passing game … he’s a good tackler and made a lot negative plays for us,” Belichick said. “He’s given us tremendous leadership and presence both on and off the field.”

Even defensive lineman Richard Seymour, who came up with a big play himself when he blocked Olindo Mare’s field goal attempt late in the game, has seen the impact Harrison has had on the team.

“We have two youngsters back there playing, and they really look up to Rodney,” he said. “They look at him as a big brother. He’s had a big influence on them.”

The secondary will be called on to stop another talented running back next Sunday when the Patriots play host to the Cleveland Browns.

William Green had two consecutive 100-yard rushing games before being limited to 65 yards in the Browns’ 26-20 loss to San Diego on Sunday. Seymour likes the team’s chances.

“Our confidence is real high right now,” he said.

Notes: CB Ty Law, who missed the game with a sore ankle, is “close” to playing against the Browns, Belichick said. … LB Ted Johnson and NG Ted Washington are “doubtful,” he said.

AP-ES-10-20-03 1936EDT