New England Patriots: Three Key Bullet Points In NFL Week 17 Vs. Miami Dolphins

As Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots begin to look forward to the 2010 NFL playoffs, their home game against their AFC East rival Miami Dolphins seems like an afterthought.

As we learned last year, though, the final game of the season is never to be overlooked, no matter how certain the fate of the team is headed into the playoffs.

There isn't a lot at stake in this game, but there's a lot to keep in mind, and there's a lot the Patriots will look to accomplish, so let's look over it real quick before kickoff.

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Stay Healthy, But Keep Momentum

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - JANUARY 03: Wide receiver Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots is tended to by medical personnel after injuring his leg against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on January 3, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

As we learned in last year's season finale, nothing is 100 percent certain headed into the playoffs, no matter how certain the playoff seeding may or may not be.

With that in mind, look for the Patriots to make many of their key players inactive for Sunday's game. Namely, Wes Welker and Deion Branch. That means we could see New England's 2010 third-round pick Taylor Price for the very first time.

Although it's important for the Patriots to keep their home field momentum (more on that later), it's equally important to keep their key players healthy headed into the most important games of the season.

Test Combinations on The Defensive Line

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBOROUGH - MAY 2: Ron Brace #60 participates in a drill during the New England Patriots Minicamp at Gillette Stadium May 2, 2009 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The Patriots have had all season to figure out their patchwork defensive line sans Ty Warren. But "paper thin" no longer begins to describe this defensive line. In fact, they're more closely approaching "paper tiger" status.

Without Ron Brace, who has been placed on injured reserve, the Patriots will be without one of their key first and second down run-stuffing defensive linemen. Luckily, the Patriots are playing the run-heavy Dolphins and will get to see plenty of their options in terms of personnel groupings along the line.

Look for the Patriots to rotate their linemen, with everyone on the roster getting some snaps as Bill Belichick tries to configure the best group for the playoffs.

Home Field Advantage

As mentioned in the previous slide, Gillette Stadium has been a kingdom of a long rule for Tom Brady, who has reigned supreme at his home field for the past 28 straight regular season games. So untouchable are the Patriots at home now that it's hard to believe they could actually lose a home playoff game.

But they did. Just about 12 months ago.

The Patriots need to keep their stranglehold on all things Foxboro and prove that they are still the kings of their court.