Pats’ playoff run ends at 11

DOLPHINS 22

PATRIOTS 12

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Dolphins’ grinding ground game sent the 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.”

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 .500 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 Cowboys’ NFL record of 20 consecutive winning seasons.

Buffalo clinched the AFC East title with a victory 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.“

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.