FINAL | Patriots 27, Dolphins 24

Patriots rally to clinch playoff bye

The Patriots improved to 12-3 and secured a first round playoff bye as they fought back from a 17-0 halftime deficit to defeat the Miami Dolphins.

Arson not suspected in fatal Peabody blaze

Officials have discarded arson as a possible cause of the three-alarm fire that claimed the life of a veteran firefighter yesterday.

Bus 19

http://c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2011/12/24/BostonGlobe.com/Metro/Images/jacobs_bus19_4.jpg Hospital housekeeper sets aside her dream

Esther Chase came to America with dreams of a house of her own and a few extra dollars for retirement. At age 62, she is unable to inch closer to her goal.

Opinion

No, it doesn’t matter what you majored in

What matters is that you pursued training in mastering complexity, writes Carlo Rotella.

Exclusive Sunday Preview

A sampling of stories from this Sunday's Globe.

 

VOISHMEL/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

travel

Beauty out of hiding

Myanmar, the former Burma, is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia and has been accused of being among the most corrupt. But for travelers it is reminiscent of what Vietnam was 50 years ago.

Saman Arbabi

Q&A | IDEAS

Iranian TV news, punk-rock style

When the State Department wants to reach Iran’s youth, it turns to an underground show called “Parazit.”

“A third of the time, it’s really good skiing at Christmas; a third of the time, it’s marginal at Christmas; and a third of the time, it’s closed.”

Eric Friedman,  spokesman of Mad River Glen

Politics

Political Notebook

Romney says Biden lives in 'fantasy land’

Mitt Romney responded to Vice President Joe Biden’s op-ed, in which he criticized the presidential candidate for trying to assume the role of protector of the middle class.

Nation & World

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Sports

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giants 29, jets 14

The Giants improved to 8-7 on the year.

Giants shut down Jets

The New York Giants won bragging rights against their city rivals and kept their playoff hopes alive with tonight’s victory.

Arts

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Opera Boston to close

With no advance warning, the city’s second-largest opera company said it will close on Jan. 1 because of an “insurmountable budget deficit.”

Celtics season preview

NBA preview 2011-12

Boston, MA - 12/21/11 - Preseason - Boston Celtics vs. Toronto Raptors at TD Garden (2nd quarter) Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (9) and Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen (20). - (Globe Staff Photo / Barry Chin), section: Sports, reporter: Julian Benbow, slug: 22celtics. LOID: 5.0.680622409.

Celtics season tips off with dream of 1 more title

A little late starting this year, the Celtics open their new season on Sunday. Rajon Rondo and the aging Big Three are out to re-create the championship ride they had in 2008.