New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has revealed that he has a certain level of tolerance for mistakes but when these cost his side games, players will be dropped.

Running back Stevan Ridley fumbled in three consecutive games for the Patriots and as a result has seen his playing time reduced drastically over the past month.

Belichick told reporters: "There's a below-the-line [level] and we just can't live with that and expect to win. That's the bottom line. Things are going to happen that are below the line that we have to correct, but we have to stay above the line. It's as simple as that.

"The things that cause you to lose, you have to eliminate. Before you can win, you can't lose. When you do things as a coach or as a player that cause you to lose, then you won't be in this job long."

The Patriots face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday and can clinch the AFC East title with a win.