The New England Patriots secured the No. 2 playoff seed in the AFC with a 38-10 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday in Foxboro, Mass.

New England had a chance to grab the No. 1 seed, but needed the Los Angeles Chargers to beat the Denver Broncos. The Broncos won 19-3.

The Patriots (14-3) will face the Chargers (11-6) in the opening round of the playoffs next weekend.

On Sunday, the Patriots rushed for 243 yards, with 184 of those coming from the tandem of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. The duo each ran for two touchdowns, and Stevenson also snagged MVP-candidate Drake Maye’s lone touchdown pass of the afternoon.

Pats will host Chargers

The Patriots got what appears to be the most favorable matchup for them in the wild-card round. By landing the No. 2 seed, they avoided the Buffalo Bills and will host the Chargers next weekend.

That’s no shoo-in, considering how well Los Angeles’ defense has been playing and how good Justin Herbert has been. But it seems to be the best matchup for the Patriots.

The Chargers have the league’s worst offensive line, which mitigates concerns the Patriots have with their defensive line and rushing the passer. And while the Chargers feel good about their defense, the Pats will take Maye and their offense against anyone. Plus, Herbert has been dealing with a fractured left hand that he suffered a month ago. The quarterback didn’t play Sunday as the Chargers had little to gain in their matchup against the Broncos, opting for rest before the postseason.

Still, while this is the best wild-card round matchup for the Patriots, the Chargers’ defensive line, led by Khalil Mack, could be a problem for a Patriots offensive line that is just getting healthy.

Plus, the Chargers’ defense has been among the best in the league in the second half of the season. Since Week 9, the Chargers have the NFL’s third-best defense based on expected points added per play.

So it’s strength on strength (and weakness vs. weakness considering the Chargers’ O-line and Pats’ D-line) next weekend in the playoffs. – Chad Graff, Patriots beat writer

Maye makes final case for MVP

The MVP race shouldn’t come down to one game – especially one that mattered for the Patriots as little as Sunday’s did against the Miami Dolphins – but it still wasn’t a blistering performance from Maye before MVP ballots are due this week.

Maye did a great job managing the Patriots’ offense, but it was a game plan mostly based on the running game and didn’t ask Maye to do too much. He completed 14 of 18 passes for 191 yards, with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Stevenson.

DRAKE & DRE 🎯@DrakeMaye2 | @dreeday32

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/LizH6GDg5x

– z – New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 4, 2026

The MVP race likely comes down to Maye and Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Maye had a better completion percentage, more yards per attempt, a higher passing rating, more rushing yards, and did it with less supporting talent on offense. Stafford had more passing yards and more touchdown passes.

Regardless of the MVP award, Maye is obviously the team’s most important player and enters the postseason after another efficient outing. – Graff

Off and running

Stevenson bookended a turbulent season with a career game that raises hope about the Patriots’ running game going into the playoffs.

After fumbling three times in the first five games, there were legit questions about whether Stevenson might be benched, though head coach Mike Vrabel continued to stand behind him. When Stevenson returned from a November toe injury, he had lost snaps in the Patriots’ backfield to Henderson, a rookie.

But in the regular season finale, Stevenson delivered a career performance, while Henderson added another fine game to complement him. It led to the Patriots’ best rushing performance of the season. For a team that had struggled on the ground so often this season, it was a welcome sign.

YOU CAN’T STOP HIM 💥@dreeday32 | #NEPats

📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/VBb0umMS1q

– z – New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 4, 2026

Stevenson ran seven times for 131 yards for two scores, while adding two catches for 22 yards and another touchdown. Henderson ran for 53 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.

The test gets tougher next week, though. Since Week 9, the Chargers rank third in rushing EPA defensively and third in success rate against the run. – Graff

What’s next for the Dolphins?

The Dolphins head into an offseason of change. The only remaining questions surround just how much they’ll overhaul the current infrastructure.

A new general manager is on the way after the franchise sacked Chris Grier in October. A divorce with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was benched late this season, seems likely even if his contract is an anchor with $54 million guaranteed next season. Tyreek Hill is another candidate for a split with the team.

There are also questions around the status of head coach Mike McDaniel (and certainly with the rest of his staff), even if he seems likely to return. This Dolphins season began with playoff hopes. It now ends with three losses in their past four games as they appear headed for a roster reset with a new GM overseeing the operation.

Despite back-to-back losing seasons, McDaniel, 42, still has a winning record (35-33) in his four years as the Dolphins’ head coach. The Dolphins are set to have the 11th pick in the draft, which is the highest selection they’ve had since taking Jaylen Waddle No. 6 in 2021. – Graff