BSJ Game Report: Patriots 38, Dolphins 10 - After remarkable 14-3 regular season, New England will face Chargers as No. 2 seed

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Dolphins in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

HEADLINES

Patriots finish as the No. 2 seed, will host the Chargers: The Broncos finished off the Chargers to hold onto the top seed in the AFC, and New England's victory over the Dolphins locked up the No. 2 seed (Jaguars won earlier in the day). That means the Chargers (11-6) will be visiting Gillette next weekend in a wild-card game. We will know the date and time at some point during or after the Sunday Night Football game.

UPDATE: PATRIOTS ARE ON SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Chargers went 5-1 in games with common opponents: beat the Raiders twice, lost to the Giants, beat Miami, Tennessee and Pittsburgh.

AFC Seeds:

1. Broncos
2. Patriots
3. Jaguars
4. Steelers/Ravens
5. Texans
6. Bills
7. Chargers

Outside of the second quarter, Patriots dominated: The Dolphins won the second quarter 10-3. Outside of that, the Patriots won the other three quarters 35-0. The Patriots looked like they took their foot off the gas in the second quarter with penalties, a blocked field goal and just general sloppiness, and Mike Vrabel was not happy.

The other thing nobody liked was the start by the defense, which allowed 122 yards on 22 plays on the first two drives. They did adjust and get better, but it was rough there for a while. 

Milton Williams and Will Campbell return: Both key linemen returned to action and played until the blowout was on at 38-10, and both seemed to play very well, especially Williams. He had two impact plays against the run, and also helped Elijah Ponder to a sack. Campbell looked very solid, moved well. PFF had him for one pressure. He seemed to be as ornery after the play as normal. He wore a brace on his right knee.

Patriots' 2025 opponents set: After the Steelers edged the Ravens in a thriller...

Home (8): Broncos, Packers, Raiders, Vikings, Steelers, Bills, Dolphins, Jets.

Away (9): Chiefs, Seahawks, Jaguars, Chargers, Bears, Lions, Bills, Dolphins, Jets.

TURNING POINT

Dolphins were threatening to tie the game after converting on 3rd and 17, but then Quinn Ewers threw a pick in the end zone right to Jaylinn Hawkins.

SECOND GUESS

I'm sure a lot of people didn't like Josh McDaniels' fourth-and-1 call, where TreVeyon Henderson was taken down for a loss. But, I mean, Ben Brown and Thayer Munford completely whiffed on their blocks. I wonder if they didn't want to sneak Drake Maye today.

THREE UP

RB Rhamondre Stevenson: He was simply awesome - 131 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries, 2 catches for 22 yards and a touchdown.

QB Drake Maye: Didn't have to carry the whole offense, but he was still really good with great pocket feel. He was 14 of 18 for 191 yards and a touchdown passing, and he rushed 5 times for 41 yards. Got a little greedy hunting big plays in the second quarter, but was very sharp.

Maye's 72% completion percentage for the season is the sixth-highest in NFL history and the highest in team history for a single season.

With a rating of 129.4 vs. Miami, Maye has recorded his 13th game with a 100-plus rating, surpassing Tom Brady (12 games) for the most in a single season in franchise history. 

He has also tied Patrick Mahomes for the most such games by a player under the age of 24 in a single season all-time.

LB Jack Gibbens: Forced a fumble and nearly had an interception. Had five tackles and two passes defensed. 

THREE DOWN

OT Thayer Munford: Seems like he whiffed on a few blocks.

LB Marte Mapu: Whiffed on the 3rd and 17 play to TE Greg Dulcich.

S Craig Woodson: Seemed he was at fault on the busted coverage TD.

But I'm really nitpicking. It was all pretty good.

INJURIES

DE K'Lavon Chaisson: Went down early in the third quarter. Returned to the game and picked up a $500,000 incentive with a sack that had him very excited.

TOP PLAYS

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER

Remarkable turnaround season: Not a whole lot to say except a 14-3 record ... that's remarkable. It's a testament to all the coaches, players and support staff. Never thought that was remotely possible, as 11 wins was the highest I ever got as far as a prediction.

Now the other season starts: As great as the regular season was, that's over and the postseason is something completely different. The Chargers will be a formidable opponent with a great coach and quarterback, and a well-coordinated defense that will have a good gameplan against the Patriots. It's good to have an experienced coaching staff that will get them ready for what to expect.