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Patriots clinch No. 2 seed in AFC playoffs

Print | Comments () Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff December 30, 2012 07:23 PM

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By Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff

The Patriots (12-4) clinched the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs Sunday with a 28-0 win over the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots moved up to the No. 2 spot after the previously top-seeded Houston Texans lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 28-16, earlier in the day.

The Patriots were denied the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC by virtue of Denver's easy 38-3 win over the Chiefs. The Broncos (13-3) will have home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, meaning a potential AFC Championship game between the Patriots and Broncos would be played in Denver.

Here's how the seeding of the AFC playoffs breaks down:

No. 1: Broncos
No. 2: Patriots
No. 3: Texans
No. 4: Ravens
No. 5: Colts
No. 6: Bengals

In the wild card round of the playoffs, the No. 3-seeded Texans will host the No. 6 Bengals, and the No. 4-seeded Ravens play the No. 5. Colts in Baltimore.