I totally agree with you. I always hated the way the Pats played when they had leads. Its almost like they stop trying to score and expect the defense to hold on for us. I always knew it would catch up to them, thats all me and buddys talked about. Its the most frustrating thing to watch. We got lucky when we clinched in Jax, trying to sit, and knew it was a matter of time before we f_cked ourselves.
Did a little research through the Brady/Belichick years - 15 times the Pats have had leads of 10+ points, only to have their opponent either come back to win (3 times) or have an opportunity to win/tie the game in the 4th quarter.
2001-at Denver (10-pt lead, L), at Pittsburgh*(18, W) , St. Louis*(14, W)
2002- vs. Minnesota (21, W)
2003- vs. NYJ(14, W), at Indianapolis(21, W), at NY Jets (11,W), Carolina*(11,W)
2004- at Miami(11,L), Philadelphia*(10,W)
2005- at Atlanta(15,W), vs. New Orleans(17,W)
2006- at NY Jets(24,W), at Jacksonville(10,W), at Indianapolis*(18,L)