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Dolphins eliminate Patriots from playoff race with 22-12 win
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Players of the New England Patriots leave the field after 22-12 loss against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, December 20, 2020. /CFP

Players of the New England Patriots leave the field after 22-12 loss against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, December 20, 2020. /CFP

The Miami Dolphins' grinding ground game sent the New England Patriots into full retreat and out of the playoff picture for the first time in 12 years.

Undrafted rookie Salvon Ahmed and veteran Matt Breida combined for 208 yards rushing Sunday to lead the Dolphins to a 22-12 victory over the Patriots, who were eliminated from postseason contention.

The Dolphins entered the game last in the league in yards per carry, and Ahmed became their first 100-yard rusher since 2018, totaling 122 yards and scoring a 2-point conversion on a trick play.

"I just went out there to try and do my best," Ahmed said "It's just fun to be part of a win. This is a big win."

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (R) of the Miami Dolphins hands the ball to his running back Matt Breida in the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium, December 20, 2020. /CFP

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (R) of the Miami Dolphins hands the ball to his running back Matt Breida in the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium, December 20, 2020. /CFP

Breida added 86 yards and the Dolphins totaled a season-high 250, the most allowed by New England in seven years.

The Patriots (6-8) will finish at 8-8 or worse for the first time since 2000, the year they drafted Tom Brady. Their NFL-record run of 11 consecutive playoff appearances will end, and they'll fall one year short of matching the Dallas Cowboys' NFL record of 20 consecutive winning seasons.

Buffalo clinched the AFC East title with a win Saturday.

"It's obviously a disappointing day for us," coach Bill Belichick said. "We didn't do anything really well enough to win the game. We all just came up short. To win these games, we've got to do a better job, I've got to do a better job."

Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers (L) of the New England Patriots is tackled by linebacker Elandon Roberts of the Miami Dolphins in the game at Hard Rock Stadium, December 20, 2020. /CFP

Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers (L) of the New England Patriots is tackled by linebacker Elandon Roberts of the Miami Dolphins in the game at Hard Rock Stadium, December 20, 2020. /CFP

The Dolphins (9-5) bolstered their wild-card chances and are assured of a winning record for only the second time since 2008.

"It's always good to win, that's why these guys put all the blood, sweat and tears in," said coach Brian Flores, a Belichick protege. "I'm happy we can bring some joy to our fans, because they deserve it."

With their three most productive pass catchers sitting out the game because of injuries, the Dolphins kept it on the ground. They were shut out in the first half, but mounted a 14-play, 90-yard touchdown drive midway through the second half to take the lead for good.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ran it in from the 3 on third down after he couldn't find an open receiver.

"When you have that kind of success in the run game, I think it doesn't just help the quarterback, it helps the whole team," Tagovailoa said.

Tight end Dalton Keene #44 of the New England Patriots fumbles the ball after a reception in the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, December 20, 2020. /CFP

Tight end Dalton Keene #44 of the New England Patriots fumbles the ball after a reception in the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, December 20, 2020. /CFP

The Dolphins then sprang a hook-and-ladder for the 2-point conversion, with receiver Isaiah Ford flipping a lateral to Ahmed, who ran into the end zone untouched. That put the Dolphins ahead 15-9, and they sealed the victory by mounting a grinding 75-yard touchdown drive on their next possession.

Ahmed became the first undrafted rookie in Dolphins history to rush for 100 yards.

"Ahmed ran hard. Breida ran hard. The offensive line blocked well," Flores said. "It's about execution, execution, execution."

Cam Newton finished 17 for 27 for 209 yards, but for the second consecutive week he failed to get New England into the end zone.

"I just have to play better and be better," Newton said.

Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots passes the ball in the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, December 20, 2020. /CFP

Quarterback Cam Newton #1 of the New England Patriots passes the ball in the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, December 20, 2020. /CFP

Four times the Patriots settled for a field goal after driving inside the Miami 30. Nick Folk made kicks of 45, 36, 45 and 42 yards.

The Dolphins were unable to convert several scoring chances, including when they drove 95 yards in the first quarter before J.C. Jackson made his eighth interception of the year, picking off a third-down pass by Tagovailoa at the goal line.

"I tried to force one in there," Tagovailoa said.

An 86-yard touchdown on a fumble return by Miami's Xavien Howard was reversed by a replay review that showed the loose ball touched another player with a foot out of bounds. The reversal represented a 10-point swing, because New England kept the ball and kicked a field goal on the next play.

Other games on Sunday (away teams come first):

Houston Texans 20-27 Indianapolis Colts

Detroit Lions 25-46 Tennessee Titans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-27 Atlanta Falcons

Jacksonville Jaguars 14-40 Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears 33-27 Minnesota Vikings

Seattle Seahawks 20-15 Washington Football Team

San Francisco 49ers 33-41 Dallas Cowboys

New York Jets 23-20 Los Angeles Rams

Philadelphia Eagles 26-33 Arizona Cardinals

Kansas City Chiefs 32-29 New Orleans Saints

Cleveland Browns 20-6 New York Giants

Source(s): AP

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