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Understated point of an excellent day of football for Patriots' fans: The New England Patriots are the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff spot. Barring two losses to the Dolphins and the Bills, the Patriots have also clinched the AFC East because of the Jets' loss to the Dolphins.
The Patriots are heating up at the perfect time as the league heads down the final stretch and into the playoffs. This is, unarguably, the most efficient offense in the league and is producing at an unparalleled output. The defense is tightening up and is starting to play at a high level for entire games, which is something that hasn't been seen since in a couple seasons.
Regardless of what happens the last couple of weeks, this team has put on a show and has grown up before our eyes. Congratulations to the 2010 New England Patriots- you're playoff bound!