Patriots lock down first-round bye with win over Jets

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The clinched a postseason bye and kept themselves in position for the No. 1 seed with a over the on Sunday. Our takeaways:The become the first team in NFL history to secure a first-round playoff bye in five consecutive seasons. The made them earn it in a game where New England was limited to just 231 yards of total offense. hovered near the Gabbert Zone at 5.2 yards per attempt and , their leading rusher, gained just 38 yards. And yet ...This felt like 's last chance to give owner Woody Johnson pause before cleaning house in the offseason. Instead, Ryan Garrett Williams Jersey  and the get swept by the this season by a total of three points. Ouch. center was carted off in the first half with a lower leg injury. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that an X-ray revealed no break. Players from both teams gathered around Mangold before he was taken off the field, a sign of the respect the veteran has earned.The stat line says had a decent day, and that's pretty much accurate. But Smith made two mistakes that e sentially cost New York the game. His lone interception gave the a short field and set up the go-ahead score in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Smith took a sack on 3rd-and-4 that lost 10 yards and set up a 52-yard mi s by . The need a quarterback.Back to Rex. He deserved a better fate in what will probably be his final home game as coach. Ryan e sentially shut down Brady by coaching up a bargain-basement cornerback group and dialing up schemes to put pre sure on the quarterback. had a touchdown catch, but was quiet overall. Ryan is a gifted defensive mind who will be a head coach beyond 2014. But where?The latest Around The NFL Podcast and breaks down the playoff picture. Find more Around The NFL content on .  Verone Mckinley Iii Jersey