New England (6-8) lost 12-22 to the Miami Dolphins (9-5) at Hard Rock Stadium and for the first time in 12 years will not qualify for the postseason.

End a long streak …

New England Patriots were out of the NFL Playoffs for the first time in the last 12 years, after sealing their debacle in the 2020-2021 season this Sunday when they fell 12-22 against Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium, scene match valid for Week 15.

The team led by Bill Belichick could not stay alive this season, already without Tom Brady, and with a 6-8 record, ended 11 consecutive seasons reaching the postseason, after placing third in the Division East of the American Conference.

Thanks to the awakening of rookie passer Tua Tagovailoa, author of two rushing touchdowns, in the second half, Miami was able to give the Patriots the coup de grace, direct rivals in the same AFC East.

To make matters worse, Cam Newton’s disappointment left Hard Rock Stadium without getting a touchdown pass. Nick Folk’s field goals could contribute little to mask the performance of the poor offense, which, without scoring touchdowns, left the game to Miami on a silver platter.

A Tagovailoa carry into the fourth quarter put Belichick-led against the wall. And although Patriotas managed to move the chains, they barely settled for a field goal.

So they had to entrust themselves to a miracle of the defense to stay with the hope of liquidating in the last minutes; However, in a long series, Miami was in charge of securing the victory.

What followed was simply a summary of the entire New England campaign. Newton was captured in enemy territory on the fourth opportunity and with that defensive play, the once-dominant Patriots said goodbye to the campaign.

New England ended the 11 seasons by contesting the playoffs. The last time the Massachusetts team had not entered this phase was in 2008 (11-5 record),  when they finished second in their division and without a place in the wild card round.

Week 15

Thursday, December 17

  • LA Chargers 30-27 Las Vegas (TE)

Saturday, December 19

  • Buffalo 48-19 Denver
  • Carolina 16-24 Green Bay

Sunday, December 20

  • Detroit 25-46 Tennessee
  • Houston 20-27 Indianapolis
  • Tampa Bay 31-27 Atlanta
  • New England 12-22 Miami
  • Seattle 20-15 Washington
  • San Francisco 33-41 Dallas
  • Jacksonville 14-40 Baltimore
  • Chicago 33-27 Minnesota
  • NY Jets 23-20 LA Rams
  • Philadelphia 26-33 Arizona
  • Kansas City 32-29 New Orleans
  • Cleveland vs. NY Giants

Monday, December 21

  • Pittsburgh vs. Cincinnati

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