Patriots clinch first playoff berth since departure of Tom Brady

In his first year, Mac Jones has helped take Bill Belichick and the Patriots back to the playoffs.

The New England Patriots clinched a postseason berth on Sunday in Week 17 after they defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars and watched the Tennessee Titans beat the Miami Dolphins. Because both things happened, New England will play in their first postseason since the departure of Tom Brady.

The only bad news in Week 17 for New England was that the Buffalo Bills won, meaning they can clinch the AFC East next week with a win — and keep the Patriots at No. 2 in the division.

In his first year, Mac Jones has helped take Bill Belichick and the Patriots back to the playoffs. Belichick has appeared in the postseason in 18 of his 22 seasons with the Patriots. He has never missed in back-to-back seasons, a streak that stayed alive in 2021.

With New England making the playoffs, Jones helped his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He will have tough competition, however, with Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase enjoying a sensational season. New England won’t care if their rookie wins the award, however. All they care about, surely, is getting a win in the first round of the playoffs.

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