Adversaries turned allies Sunday afternoon as the Indianapolis Colts gave the Patriots their first win of the day by knocking off the Houston Texans, opening a door for the Patriots (12-4) to earn a first-round playoff bye by knocking off the Miami Dolphins (7-9) later in the afternoon.
The game in Foxborough was never in doubt.
The Patriots scored on three consecutive drives in the first half to take control of the game and eventually win, 28-0, as fans tossed around the leftover snow from the storm that struck the city Sunday night in celebration, turning Gillette Stadium into a life-size snow globe.
The first fan-generated blizzard came before the game when TE Rob Gronkowski trotted onto the field for the first time since suffering a broken left forearm on Nov. 18. With a sleeve protecting his arm, Gronkowski, who played about half the snaps, made his biggest contribution in the first half when he caught a 19-yard pass from Tom Brady to set up the first touchdown. He scored later scored his 11th touchdown of the season with 9:20 remaining in the third quarter on a seam route.
“It was a blast being back out on the field,” Gronkowski, who played around 25 snaps, said. “It was up to the coaches, the training staff how much I play. They control everything. … You always want to get some reps before heading back into the playoffs.”
However, Gronkowski’s return was met with the loss of DE Rob Ninkovich, who was knocked out of action with a hip injury in the second quarter. Losing Ninkovich, the team’s top pass rusher (eight sacks), for any period of time would not bode well for the Patriots’ Super Bowl hopes.
A similar scenario unfolded last season when DE Andre Carter was lost for the season after suffering a leg injury in Week 15.
When the game turned: The Patriots took control of the game in the first quarter when Ninkovich pressured Miami QB Ryan Tannehill and forced him to throw an interception to S Steve Gregory. Brady hit Gronkowski for a 19-yard gain on the next play, then found Wes Welker in the end zone to give New England a 7-0 lead.
Highlight moments: Any one of Danny Woodhead’s touches in the first half. He touched the ball six times and gained five first downs, the standout being a 25-yard gain on a screen pass in the first quarter. … Likewise, two plays later, WR Wes Welker took off for a 23-yard gain on a short pass … Gronkowski’s big gain in the first quarter warrants mention, too.
Top-shelf performances:
- QB Tom Brady -- 22 of 36 for 284 yards with two touchdowns
- RB Danny Woodhead -- 3 carries for 18 yards; 5 receptions for 79 yards
- WR Wes Welker -- 8 receptions for 94 yards, one touchdown
- DE Justin Francis -- 3 sacks
What they said about earning the bye:
Patriots S Steve Gregory: “We got to get to work this week and get some things done that need to get done, but it’s good to get that rest, get some guys healthy. I know some guys are banged up, so it’s good for us.”
Gronkowski: “Extra time to heal, extra time to get stronger and extra time do what you need to be able to do to get out there and go full speed.”
Patriots CB Aqib Talib: “Got a big win, little bit of rest for the whole team, it will be a valuable week. It’s key for us, man. We definitely had that in mind, in our intentions. We’ll use it valuably.”
Numbers you should know: The seven sacks the Patriots recorded (Justin Francis 3, Derrick Martin, Brandon Deaderick, Trevor Scott, Vince Wilfork) were the most in any game this season. … The shutout was New England’s first since beating the Titans, 59-0, on Oct. 18, 2009.
Injury update: Patriots -- Ninkovich suffered a hip injury and was immediately taken to the locker room. Dolphins -- TE Anthony Fasano and LB Kevin Burnett were taken to the locker room to be tested for concussion in the second half. … OL Richie Incognito suffered a neck injury.
Going forward: The Patriots wait to see who they play in the playoffs and the Dolphins go home.
Nick Underhill covers the Patriots for MassLive.com. Follow him on Twitter @CBSPats or @nick_underhill.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Miami Dolphins from blogger Dave Carey, follow @CBSDolphins.