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With a wobble, Brady and Patriots head into the playoffs

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits in the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits in the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits in the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

By Associated Press 4 min read

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) – When an achy Tom Brady had finished fending off questions about the New England Patriots’ desultory regular-season finale, he stepped gingerly off the interview podium, looking a little wobbly as he heads for the playoffs.

The Patriots need to regain their footing, and fast. Brady took a pounding Sunday and the Patriots lost to Miami 20-10 to fall to 12-4 – with all of their losses coming in the past six games.

“We have to play well going forward if we want to make anything of our season,” Brady said. “Nothing over the last six weeks is going to matter.”

Here are things to know as the Patriots start the playoffs and the Dolphins start their offseason:

PLAYOFF PICTURE: For the second week in a row, the Patriots missed a chance to earn the top playoff seed by winning. They were edged out by Denver, which means New England is not assured of home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.