Patriots 28, dolphins 0

Patriots claim No. 2 playoff seed

The Patriots earned a first-round bye in the playoffs with their win over the Dolphins and the Texans’ loss to the Colts.

Wes Welker protected the ball as he was chased by Dolphins defenders.

Matthew j. lee/globe staff

Wes Welker protected the ball as he was chased by Dolphins defenders.

Rob Gronkowski scored in the second half.

JESSICA RINALDI/reuters

Rob Gronkowski scored in the second half.

Stevan Ridley ran the ball into the end zone in the second quarter.

Elise Amendola/Associated press

Stevan Ridley ran the ball into the end zone in the second quarter.

Deion Branch made the signal for a first down after a reception in the second quarter.

matthew j. lee/globe staff

Deion Branch made the signal for a first down after a reception in the second quarter.

Tom Brady congratulated Stevan Ridley after Ridley’s second rushing touchdown of the game.

elise amendola/associated press

Tom Brady congratulated Stevan Ridley after Ridley’s second rushing touchdown of the game.

Tom Brady looked for a receiver.

elise amendola/associated press

Tom Brady looked for a receiver.

Defensive end Justin Francis celebrated a sack of Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Charles krupa/associated press

Defensive end Justin Francis celebrated a sack of Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

Patriots fans sat bundled against the cold before the game.

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Patriots fans sat bundled against the cold before the game.

Rob Gronkowski scored in the second half on a 23-yard pass from Tom Brady.

Gronkowski returns after missing five weeks

Rob Gronkowski, who broke his left forearm Nov. 18, returned against the Dolphins, catching two passes, including one for a 23-yard touchdown.

Chandler Jones had Ryan Tannehill in his grasp, forcing an incomplete pass during the second quarter.

on football

Patriots’ defense looks ready for playoffs

The defense has improved since bottoming out Nov. 11 against the Bills, thanks to adherence to Bill Belichick’s season-long game plan.

Stevan Ridley showed a move after a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter.

patriots notes

Stevan Ridley reaches 1,200 yards for the season

Ridley finished with 74 yards on 20 carries, pushing his season total to 1,263 yards, just the fifth time a Patriot has reached 1,200 yards in a season.

Latest news

 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid walked to a closed-door meeting with fellow Democrats Sunday.

Sides still apart on fiscal cliff deal

Democrats failed to respond to a GOP proposal, and Republicans asked Vice President Joe Biden to get involved and jump-start the talks.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is seen in a Nov. 29 photo at an event at the State Department in Washington.

Hillary Clinton hospitalized with blood clot

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was admitted to a New York hospital after the discovery of a blood clot stemming from the concussion she sustained earlier this month.

Marcella Bourasa, 2, experienced her full snowfall on Sunday.

Snow blankets region with few problems

The snow brought a bit of wintry cheer as no major storm-related problems and only scattered power outages were reported.

James Johnson of the Sacramento Kings stole the ball from Paul Pierce.

kings 118, celtics 96

Celtics lose three straight on West Coast trip

The Kings pounded the Celtics as Boston’s defense wilted, allowing seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

Globe Insiders

Photo Gallery | From the Archives

//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/12/27/BostonGlobe.com/Special/Images/russ-256337[1]-028.jpg Bill Russell’s career

The Celtics legend defended personal dignity in the face of institutionalized racism in society as aggressively as he defended the basket on the court.

Politics

Minority leader Mitch McConnell is considered a key player in any compromise on taxes.

Senate in last-minute scrum for deal

Senate leaders and their aides sought a formula to prevent large tax increases and budget cuts that could threaten the fragile economy.

Books

Best nonfiction books of 2012

Everyone has been talking about what a great year it was for fiction, but nonfiction had its stars as well.

Travel

Riders try Camden’s Jack Williams Toboggan Chute.

Perfect winter days in Camden, Maine

Five years ago, when Netherlands natives Raymond Brunyanszki and Oscar Verest bought the Camden Harbour Inn, they had one big worry: winters in Maine.