Gase’d up ’Fins atop AFC East

DETROIT — The Patriots will get their first look at a division opponent next week, one that currently sits above them in the standings.

Really, who would have thought the Miami Dolphins would be sitting atop the AFC East after three games?

They’ll be headed to Foxboro Sunday unbeaten at 3-0 and looking to show the Patriots they’re no fluke.

So should anyone be worried about a team that went out of it’s way to purge certain clubhouse types and bring in others such as former Pats receiver Danny Amendola?

Let’s just say it’s early and hard to worry about them dethroning the Pats just yet.

AFC East teams haven’t put up much of a fight in the division with the Patriots in recent years. Bill Belichick’s team has won nine straight division titles, and while the Dolphins’ start is nice and may have a few people jumping on the bandwagon, let’s not get carried away.

They haven’t exactly played anyone you’d call a contender, as their wins have come over the Titans, Jets and yesterday the winless Raiders.

With a culture change, along with the return of Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, they believe they can make some noise.

Tannehill, who has returned after missing 2017 with a knee injury, has been playing mistake-free football. He was 17-of-23 for 289 yards with three touchdowns and no picks in a 28-20 win over the Raiders. He had a 155.3 passer rating.

Miami’s defense also made plays when it had to, picking off Derek Carr twice. On the year, they have a league-leading seven picks. They had nine all last year.

In 2017, the Dolphins allowed 24.6 points per game, 29th in the league.

Entering yesterday, they were fourth best, allowing 16.0 points.

Basically, Adam Gase weeded out certain players he didn’t feel he could win. The biggest name hitting the road was star defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh.

To help show what it takes to win, Gase brought in a cast of known winners and players of high character.

Maybe they are better in the locker room. Maybe they are taking to Gase, his coaching and his message better. They are undefeated. They are playing well. They are technically the best team in the AFC East right now.