Pats defeat Dolphins in regular season finale, will host Chargers in Playoffs

6 days ago 2

FOXBOURGH, Mass. (WWLP) – The New England Patriots are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

Fans at Gillette Stadium were excited as their team was in contention for the first seed in the AFC.

Going into Week 18 it was a battle for the AFC number one seed between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos. The Pats hosted the Dolphins and the Broncos played the Chargers at home in Colorado.

With both teams winning the Broncos had the better common games record, with the Pats losing to the Raiders in week one, while the Broncos had beat the Raiders in week ten. Even so, fans could not be more thrilled about the possibilities in the upcoming post season.

But first, the Patriots (No. 2) will have to take care of business against the L.A. Chargers(No. 7) next weekend in the AFC Wild Card round.

One super fan telling 22News, “I believe. Oh my god, I believe!”

Fans are emotional as the team wraps up the regular season. Pats nation is ready to take on any and all threats to reach the Superbowl again. Gillette Stadium was sold out on Sunday, even as temperatures dipped into the 20s.

“Freezing and numb,” said a fan that would do it all again in weather like this. “Of course. This is like, insane.”

After the 38-10 victory against the Miami Dolphins the Patriots will head to the playoffs again after four years of missing out. Now, they turn toward their next opponent the L.A. Chargers. The game is set to be played on Sunday night at 8:15P.M. at Gillette.

The spotlight also on the Pats, but not for reasons they hoped for, as two players on the team are facing criminal charges. Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs is accused of strangling and assaulting his private chef at his home. This while Defensive Lineman Christian Barmore is accused of domestic violence against the mother of his child.

Both Diggs and Barmore played on Sunday, but it is unclear whether they will be on the field for playoffs.

“I’m sure the Patriots have contingencies,” said one pragmatic fan. “Bumps in the road are just bumps in the road.”

Pats Nation are hopeful for the new generation and a path back to the Superbowl. Drake Maye and Justin Herbert, two of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL will duke it out in next week’s AFC Wild Card round. You can watch that game on 22News next Sunday.

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