Courtesy of Robert Bukaty/AP

The Patriots jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and while Miami made it interesting in the second quarter, the Patriots pulled away in the second half and ended up blowing out the Dolphins 38-10 to secure the number two seed in the AFC.

Here are seven points from another dominate win for the Patriots over an AFC East rival.

1. Stevenson has monster day: Stevenson had a huge game, carrying the ball 7 times for 131 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Stevenson also caught 2 passes for 22 yards and a 15 yard touchdown catch. After the starting the season off on the wrong foot with fumble injuries and injuries, Stevenson has been a model of consistency and one of the Patriots best offensive players.

2. Maye’s Day: Drake was good not great but he didn’t need to be. He completed 14-of-18 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown pass. He broke a couple of scramble runs and finished with 5 carries for 41 yards. Overall, it was a good tune up for Maye ahead of the playoffs.

3. Defense dominates after slow start: Miami was able to move the ball at times in the first half but the defense buckled down and finished with a sack, two forced fumbles and four sacks. It was a good warm up for a defense that is starting to get healthy and have its full complement next week when the playoffs begin.

4. Diggs hits 1,000 yards: For the seventh time in his career, Stefon Diggs eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in a season. Diggs wasn’t a factor every week but he looked like the team’s best receiver down the stretch and that is huge for a team that needs its best players to step up this time of year.

5. Two seed in the AFC secured: With the win and the Chargers loss to the Broncos, the Patriots are officially the number two seed in the AFC. They are going to host the Los Angeles Chargers. As of now, there is no time set for when the Patriots will play but there is talk that they could play Saturday night.

6. McDaniels empties the bag early: Josh McDaniels ran a flea flicker, an end around and a direct snap run into a nine man line. All in the first half. Did he need to do all that to beat the Dolphins? No. What he did do was show it which means whoever they play in the playoffs will have to prepare for it. There is a method to his madness. I love that he did it.

7. Chargers up next: The Patriots will host the Chargers in the opening round of the playoffs. Los Angeles limps into Foxboro losers of two in a row, a banged up Justin Herbert and they’ll be without their two starting offensive tackles. Despite all that, the Chargers are well coached, physical and they could pose some match up problems. It will not be an easy game. The Patriots will be favored but they will earn against one of the toughest teams in the NFL.