NFL Notes: Mission accomplished for Patriots

Before the season began, like many others I felt the Patriots would be in the running for a playoff spot. Given the amount of talent brought into the organization in the offseason, coupled with a soft schedule and a new quarterback who figured to have more success throwing the ball than his predecessor, the idea of winning nine or 10 games and being in the playoff picture seemed like a reasonable expectation.

Now, more than four months later, that's exactly where the Patriots stand. In fact, they have a chance to do one better by closing the season with an 11th victory on Sunday afternoon in Miami. A playoff spot has been clinched and now we sit back and watch Week 18 in order to determine…