Tom Brady during the first Patriots-Dolphins game of the season back in September. (Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Patriots locked up the AFC East for the eleventh-straight year and, with a win Sunday against the Dolphins, could secure a first-round playoff bye week.
In the Week 17 Red Zone Report, WBZ's Adam Kaufman asks Boston Globe NFL reporter Ben Volin if there's any reason to worry the Patriots—favored by 15.5 points—won't make that happen?
"My bosses at the Globe wanted me to write something about, you know, what if the Dolphins win this game?" Volin said. "I was like, guys, no. I'm not wasting the company's ink writing that story. It's not gonna happen. The Patriots will take care of business. Maybe it's tougher than anticipated. It probably won't be 43-0 like it was down in Miami in Week 2."
Assuming New England wins, it'll be the team's eighth season with at least 13 wins over Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's last 16 years together. Will we ever see dominance like this again after they are done?
"It's hard to see it happening," Volin said. "I think it's pretty special ... no, I don't see any way. You're talking about playoffs in 18 of 19 years? Ten straight first-round byes? Nine Super Bowls in 18 years? It's just an incredible run of success, and no, I don't think it'll be replicated probably ever again."
Kaufman and Volin also discuss whether or not the Pats will consider sitting any of their banged-up regulars, which players stand out entering the post-season, make predictions for the match-up with Miami, and more.
Listen to this week's Red Zone Report with Adam Kaufman (@adammkaufman) and Ben Volin (@BenVolin):
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