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New England Patriots 4 Downs Review: Week 17 vs Miami Dolphins

By Michael Perry

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 29: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on from the sideline during the game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

1st Down: Still something to play for

After the New England Patriots lost home-field advantage to the Baltimore Ravens last week, the next best thing for them to defend their Super Bowl crown would have been securing a first-round bye. Having that extra week to recuperate and refresh themselves for a seventh title run would’ve benefited the Patriots greatly.

But they couldn’t hold up their end of the bargain by losing to the then 4-11 Dolphins, dropping their final regular season record to 12-4 in the process.

The Chargers had an opportunity to give the Patriots a break and defeat the Chiefs, but they couldn’t make the Patriots a happy team. In the end, the New England Patriots limp into the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, and will play on Wild Card Weekend for just the first time in 10 years.

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