Associated Press
It's time to declare a winner in the divorce between Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the coach and quarterback who combined to lead the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl championships before splitting up this year.
And it wasn't even close.
Since signing with the Buccaneers as a free agent, Brady has led Tampa Bay to a 9-5 record and the cusp of a playoff berth. The team he left behind was officially eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday with a 22-12 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
That means the Patriots (6-8) will be sitting at home for the first time since 2008 and for just the second time since Belichick made Brady the starter in 2001.