Big plays burn Patriots defense in Miami

Steven Jackson hasn’t been to the playoffs since his rookie season in 2004.

New England believes health is more important than home field advantage.

New England has secured a first-round bye in the postseason, but now need a loss from the Denver Broncos to clinch the AFC’s top seed.

Brady did not question the game plan that called for him to pass the ball just five times in the first half. It could also make for an ugly game, with the teams potentially emptying their bench and using players who may not be fully in synch with each other or the offense or defense scheme being used.

ABOUT THE PATRIOTS (12-3): Tight end Rob Gronkowski has topped out at 113 receiving yards on three occasions this season, with his 47-yard touchdown reception highlighting the victory over Miami. The next best lineman is David Andrews (minus-1.3) and their worst is Shaquille Mason (minus-21.3), who ranks as the second-worst guard in the National Football League among all who played at least half of their team’s snaps.

The Dolphins and Patriots met for the first time in 1966 and began playing twice a year during the regular season in 1967, except in 1982 during the strike year. This lack of trust in the offense was apparent at the end of the first half, too, when the Patriots chose to just run out the clock with 1:53 remaining and two timeouts instead of trying to score.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits in the… With the performances the Dolphins have given over the past six weeks (1-5), the Patriots are the easy pick with the AFC’s top seed on the line. Ryan Tannehill completed 26 of 38 passes for 329 yards with one interception.

Making it all the more promising for Miami’s future was wide receiver DeVante Parker, who made five receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown. And the biggest thing here is we’ve got to change the culture.

Additionally, a win in Week 17 means that the Patriots won’t board a plane again in the 2015 playoffs unless they reach the Super Bowl. PROBABLE: WR Jarvis Landry (knee), QB Ryan Tannehill (thigh, knee), G Billy Turner (calf).

I don’t pretend to understand everything Belichick says or knows, but this is about as expansive and insightful as the guy gets with the media.

The Patriots were greeted by a contingent of New England fans outside of FAU Stadium, impressing some players. Safeties Devin McCourty (ankle) and Patrick Chung (foot) both started the game despite sitting out last week; McCourty got through the game unscathed, but Chung was briefly knocked out of the game before returning to action.

The Dolphins sealed the game with a field goal with just under 2 minutes to play.