The Patriots won a tough New Year’s Day game against the Dolphins 23-21 in the final home game of the season. The game was bittersweet as although they are still alive for the postseason, it may have been the last time Matthew Slater and Devin McCourty appeared at Gillette Stadium.
But although the Patriots won, it wouldn’t win many style points, like many of their wins (and losses) this year. Both teams came into this game banged up, with Miami missing their starting QB and OL and the Patriots missing key members of their secondary.
The defense, like most of this season, was very good.