FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- In a shocking turn of events, the New England Patriots squandered the No. 2 seed and a bye in the AFC playoffs in a 27-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
The Patriots' much-vaunted defense couldn't stop Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick on a final drive that lasted 13 plays and covered 75 yards, culminating with tight end Mike Gesicki's 5-yard touchdown pass with 24 seconds remaining.
"We needed our best football. We didn't have it today," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said.