Photo: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images


Sunday’s game in Miami isn’t a revenge game or a tune-up game for the postseason, it’s an opportunity to get better. No more, no less.

When the Bills and Jets kickoff simultaneously with the Pats and Dolphins at 4:25, New England won’t know whether the AFC East title is on the line or not until things start to unfold in Orchard Park, which means the Patriots will be focused on themselves and nothing else.

Following the 50-10 blowout over Jacksonville on Sunday, guys were happy to be in the postseason – it’s the NFL, it’s a hell of an accomplishment every year – but focus had immediately shifted towards preparing for Miami.

That focus has continued throughout the early stages of this week and as the Pats moved inside for practice on Wednesday. Bill Belichick was going to crank up the heat, but joked that he still probably couldn’t make it as warm as it will be Sunday afternoon.

“I don’t know. Not as hot as it’ll be in Miami,” he said when asked how hot it could get inside the field house.

“There were a number of factors involved,” he added when asked why they were doing it. “We’ll be in there today and we’ll see what tomorrow brings.”

The Week 1 loss to Miami looms large as do the losses to Buffalo and Indianapolis. A victory in any of those games would have New England in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 seed heading into the regular season finale, but now they’re just fighting to earn the highest wildcard spot.

Still, just being in the dance – as cliché as it is – can be all that matters in the NFL and the Patriots know that. This week isn’t being viewed as a revenge game as much as it’s being looked at as a way for the Pats to continue building on what they started against the Jaguars. That win against a feeble opponent will only matter if it’s a stepping stone towards playing consistent football again at the most crucial time of the year.

“Try to just stay on track with what we’ve been doing,” said Belichick when discussing his approach to the game this week. “I think when we had good weeks of preparation, practice, energy into the game, mindset, however all that comes together, we’ve been a lot better than when we haven’t. We’re going to just try to build that consistency.”

The Dolphins will not roll over and hand the Patriots a victory under Brian Flores. New England is going to have to earn a possible AFC East title (J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets) but more importantly, they’re going to have to earn the right to feel confident in themselves heading into the postseason, Another strong performance for 60 minutes far out weigh the importance of any revenge game thoughts some players or coaches may have.

“It’s a good opportunity,” Belichick added. “Obviously, Miami is a good football team and we know them well. They know us well. We haven’t played each other all year, but, overall, there’s a lot of familiarity between the two teams. It’ll be a good opportunity for us to try and hone in on our fundamentals, our execution, and our communication. Worry about next week next week.”