Thoughts & Reactions: Patriots Clinch No. 1 Seed with Win in Miami

The New England Patriots took care of business in Miami to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

There was no holding back for the New England in the season finale against the Dolphins. With a sound offensive attack and timely defense, the Patriots defeated Miami 35-14 on Sunday to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

Impressively, it marked the fourth time in the last seven seasons the Patriots have posted the conference’s best record in assuring that Super Bowl LI will go through Gillette Stadium.

The Patriots wasted no time setting the tone in the game. Tom Brady completed 25 of 33 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns with the victory. The first two touchdowns came in the first quarter to give New England a quick 14-0 lead.

The Dolphins did inch back in the game, cutting the lead to 20-14 in the third quarter, but a touchdown reception by Julian Edelman pushed the score up to 27-14. Miami still had hopes of a comeback, but those hopes were dashed by a 69-yard fumble return by Shea McClellin that set up another touchdown and two-point conversion to make the score and final result 35-14.

Thoughts

The Patriots came out on a mission, which was nice to see against the Dolphins. Wide receiver Michael Floyd was involved in the offense early and helped set the tone with his powerful touchdown reception in the first quarter. Floyd not only dragged Dolphin defenders into the end zone, he also delivered a massive block in the third quarter to help spring Julian Edelman on his touchdown run.

https://twitter.com/chatham58/status/815648774894784513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Defensively the Patriots had a couple timely turnovers, but at times made Matt Moore look better than he actually is. After giving up touchdown drives to end the first half and begin the second half, the defense settled in again and took control of the game. The offense helped the defense by responding to Miami’s second touchdown with a touchdown of their own.

Player/coaches reactions

Bill Belichick on moving forward to the playoffs via The Boston Herlad:

"“Gotta keep grinding. Just keep getting better. There’s a lot of things we can still improve on. We’ll work on some of those this week, then we’ll find out who we play, and then we’ll start getting ready for whoever that team is. This team, we’ve got a good opportunity to work on some things, get better at some things we need to get better at. So we’ll try to use that time productively and do it. We have a good opportunity to work on some things.”"

Martellus Bennett on winning via NESN:

"“It’s cool. I’m kind of getting used to winning now. Know what I’m saying? At first it’s like, ‘Yeah!’ It’s like the first time having sex. Then the second time, then your third time, it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, it’s pretty cool. I’m getting better at it.’ It’s just really fun. I enjoy playing with these guys and giving everything I got every single game. I’m ready to do everything they ask of me.”"

Logan Ryan on the improved play of the secondary via MassLive.com:

"“I’m not going to lie to you, we wanted that. We felt like we were constantly slept on all year, doubted all year. For a group that didn’t have a lot of great players and gave up too many passing yards and didn’t really create enough turnovers, for us to be the best scoring defense in the last four years I think speaks for itself.”"

Next: Boston Bruins Have No Idea Why League Is Stopping Fights

The New England Patriots have a bye as they await their opponents in the divisional round of the playoffs.

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