New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick isn't taking the season finale against the Miami Dolphins lightly, calling it a playoff game. Talking to his players, Belichick told them to treat it like a playoff game, because if they were able to come away with a win, they will get a week off. If they lose the game they will have to play on Wild Card weekend, something they aren't super accustomed to doing.

“Look, this is very simple now. Miami is a playoff game. If we beat Miami, then we get a bye. If we don't, then we'll be playing the next week. So, it's a playoff game,” Belichick told players, as shown on NFL Network and Patriots.com.

“We got to be ready to go here. We need our best week. Keep building on what we've been building here, and keep this thing rolling.

“This is a big week. We are in the playoffs. We are in the playoffs now.”

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The Dolphins only have four wins on the season but they have proven to be a team that isn't going to give up. The first time these two teams faced off in September the Patriots won 43-0. The Dolphins offense has at least been more competitive in the last couple of months, even if the defense has still been struggling.

If Tom Brady has a good game, and the Patriots defense can create a few turnovers, the Patriots should be in good shape to beat the Dolphins and wrap up their first-round bye.