MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- This isn’t the way the New England Patriots wanted to go into the playoffs.
With a chance to ensure they’d be the No. 1 seed and have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs by beating the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, they turned in an uninspiring, lackluster performance in a 20-10 loss at Sun Life Stadium.
The only way for the Patriots to now earn the top spot is if the 11-4 Denver Broncos lose to the visiting San Diego Chargers (4-11) on Sunday afternoon.
If the Broncos win, they’ll be the No.