It has been a brutal year in New England. Tom Brady left, players opted-out due to the pandemic, Cam Newton and Stephon Gilmore, among others, were hit with COVID-19.
And now, after a loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Bill Belichick & Co. won’t be going to the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons.
The Patriots have been eliminated from playoff contention, breaking their 11-year streak. pic.twitter.com/XvwQM4aepI
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 20, 2020
The last time New England did not make the playoff was 2008 when they finished 11-5. That was good for second in the AFC East behind the Miami Dolphins but not good enough for a playoff berth.
Prior to that, New England gone to the postseason in five conecutive years.