16-0

Here’s an ironic pill for the Miami Dolphins to have to swallow. According to the recap of their game today against Buffalo, the Dolphins had never in their history lost 13 games in a season. Today’s loss was their 13th this season, and their 16th consecutive overall, dating to last season.

Bad enough, you could surely argue. Trouble is, their status as the lone franchise ever to 16-0 in a season is in serious jeopardy, as well. The New England Patriots cleared their last serious hurdle toward a perfect regular season by smoking the Pittsburgh Steelers this afternoon.

New England has three games left, against NYJ, Miami, and NYG - two of which are at home (NYJ and Miami). The clincher, so to speak, is that that last game against NYG looks to be meaningless for the Giants as well as for the Patriots.

The Patriots have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs unless they lose out and the Colts win out. The most likely scenario is that both teams win out, unless the Colts sit their starters after clinching the #2 seed. The Giants clinch a wild-card spot by winning one of their last three games. The only way NYG does not make the playoffs is if they lose out and either Washington or New Orleans wins out.

The only way the New England-NYG game matters is if NYG loses their next two games AND New Orleans OR Washington win their next two games. If either New Orleans or Washington lose one of their next two games, they’re out - and if NYG wins ANY of its last three games, they’re in.

If the Giants have locked up a playoff spot, they'll sit their starters - if not for the whole game, then certainly for most of it. Maybe they play the first quarter to sort of feel out New England and see what they can do against them (thinking about Dallas coming up in the playoffs). But the Giants won't take the chance on getting hurt - and if they don't play their first team, the Patriots will play their first team just enough to win.

I know they say that no team can go undefeated in the NFL - but the Patriots have 13 under their belts already, and the last three are a relative cake walk. Add in the fact that they’ve got a massive chip on their shoulders - and the outside chance that Brady won’t yet have the touchdown mark by the time that last game rolls around - and you’ve got the recipe for a 16-0 season. The tipping point? The Patriots are brash enough to go for it just because they can. They have a singular will to dominate the NFL and win football games. That's their job - and they do it very, very well.

I hope they get the 16 wins, too. So they taped some defensive signals their opponents were using - who cares? It’s not like they were filming movies that try to sell atheism to kids. Oh, wait...that’s a stupid argument, too. They’re getting some shady calls from the refs? Aw...poor whoever their opponent is. The Colts are getting shady calls from the refs, too. Give the Patriots some credit for being a great team and for having a great season. And sit back and watch some really good football.