New England Patriots links 12/30/19 - Bye bye: Wild Card Patriots enter playoffs the hard way

TEAM TALK

• Post Game Notes & Records: Patriots-Dolphins. Patriots set franchise record for fewest points allowed in a season.
• Game Book: Full Patriots-Dolphins stats.
• NFL announces playoffs schedule. Tennessee at New England: Saturday, 8:15 pm.
• Paul Perillo reports that after failing to secure a first-round bye, the Patriots will host Tennessee on wild card weekend.
• Erik Scalavino’s Game Recap: Loss makes Patriots Wild Card for first time in decade.
• Mike Dussault’s Game Observations: Shocking Dolphins loss costs Patriots playoff bye week.
• Post Game Pressers: Bill Belichick - Tom Brady - Devin McCourty.
• Press Pass: Phillip Dorsett II, James White, and Elandon Roberts talk after the loss. (1 min. video)
• Highlight: Elandon Roberts fakes everyone out on first career touchdown. (37 second video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Mike Reiss recaps the shocking loss to the Dolphins and losing their first-round bye. ‘The Patriots’ much-vaunted defense couldn’t stop Ryan Fitzpatrick on a final 13-play, 75-yard drive culminating in a touchdown with 24 seconds remaining.’
• Mark Daniels calls the last-minute loss to the Dolphins one of the most shocking upset losses at home in recent memory, and warns the result could be catastrophic.
• Tom E. Curran points out the Patriots have some hard facts to face entering the playoffs. /Have your coffee first. ...and a muffin or or something easy to throw up after.
• Doug Kyed gives us his Patriots-Dolphins Takeaways: New England is completely unpredictable.
• Evan Lazar tells us ten things we learned from Sunday’s loss.
• Phil Perry’s Turning Point: DeVante Parker goes up and over Stephon Gilmore to propel game-winning drive.
• Zack Cox Patriots Notes: Searching for bright spots in dumbfounding Dolphins loss.
• Nick Goss presents his Pats-Fins instant overreactions: Abysmal pass offense costs Pats playoff bye.
• Devon Clements (SI Patriots) Patriots’ playoff bye hopes spoiled by loss to Dolphins in regular-season finale.
• Phil Perry examines the team’s psyche in the wake of a disheartening loss, as the Patriots were focused on remaining positive after losing out on a coveted playoff bye.
• Mike Petraglia notes Patriots leaders insist they have character to ‘dig deep’ and put the horrible loss behind them.
• Jacob Camenker relays Bill Belichick on why the Patriots didn’t call a timeout on the final drive of the first half.
• Chris Chavez (SI) Tom Brady throws touchdown No. 540, surpasses Peyton Manning for No. 2 all-time. /of course it went to a linebacker.
• Nick Goss lays out the playoff picture: Final AFC, NFC seeds, matchups, bracket after Week 17.
• Locked On Patriots podcast: Mike D’Abate and Murph help us with anger management after the loss. (28 min.)

NATIONAL NEWS

• NFL Game Center (NFL.com) Dolphins at Patriots: Stats, drives, highlights.
• Albert Breer (SI) Monday Morning QB: 49ers won a game of inches to clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed—and the NFL playoffs are set.
• Peter King (ProFootballTalk) FMIA Week 17: Game 256’s thrilling finish sets table for NFL playoffs; More.
• Jenny Vrentas (SI) NFL Week 17 Takeaways: Patriots run out of time, Chiefs (!) get the bye, Derrick Henry gets the rushing title; more.
• Nate Davis (USA Today) 32 things we learned from Week 17. 4a. Brady’s 38-yard TD pass to LB Elandon Roberts marked the 77th player TB12 has found for six points through the air, extending his league record.
• Alex Finnis (The Telegraph) The 10 biggest takeaways from NFL week 17: 49ers clinch NFC honours and Patriots wave goodbye to the bye.
• Jason La Canfora (CBS Sports) NFL Week 17 insider notes: Six teams with coaches already on 2020 hot seat, Philip Rivers’ next stop and more.
• Danny Heifetz (The Ringer) The Patriots lost at home to the Dolphins, and lost their first-round bye.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Dolphins win 27-24, knock Patriots to No. 3 seed.
• Tyler Sulivan (CBS Sports) Patriots vs. Dolphins: Miami pulls off stunner, sends New England down to No. 3 playoff seed.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Tom Brady: Too many bad mistakes.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Elandon Roberts gets first career receiving touchdown.
• Josh Alper (ProFootballTalk) Titans earn final AFC playoff spot by beating Texans.
• Rodger Sherman (The Ringer) The winners and losers of Week 17: The Dolphins relegated the Patriots to wild-card weekend for the first time in a decade; More.
• Lorenzo Reyes (USA Today) NFL Week 17 winners, losers: 49ers have playoff squad to fear, Patriots stumble in finale.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballGame) Philip Rivers not planning to retire, open to continuing career elsewhere.
• Patrick Walker (CBS Sports) Freddie Kitchens firing: Browns reportedly seeking permission to interview Patriots OC Josh McDaniels.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Top 10 quarterbacks of the decade.
• Charean Williams (ProFootballTalk) Top 10 running backs of the decade.
• Michael David Smith (ProFootballTalk) Top 10 coaches of the decade. 1. Bill Belichick.
• NFL All-Time Team (NFL.com) Behind the scenes of the Tom Brady, Bill Belichick dynamic. (12.17 min. video)

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Michael McCann (SI) Would the NFL even allow Antonio Brown to play for the Saints?