New England is expected to take some help on the defensive side of the ball in the first round.

The New England Patriots finished the regular season with a 12-4 record, and on Tuesday SB Nation's final NFL power rankings ranked them the No. 4 team in the league.

The SB Nation mock draft has the New England Patriots selecting safety Phillip Thomas in the first round or possibly going with a wide receiver. Thomas was a Thorpe Award finalist at Fresno St. in his senior season.

Patriots defensive end Rob Ninkovich left Sunday's 28-0 victory over Miami with a hip injury and his status for the playoffs is unknown. Earning a first round bye, however, should help the Patriots rehabilitate some before beginning the postseason.

The New England Patriots will await their second-round opponent. Here is the complete schedule for the Wild Card round of the 2013 playoffs.

The New England Patriots finished the 2012 regular season with a 28-0 victory over the Miami Dolphins and as SB Nation's Patriots blog wrote after the game, it was a 'complete victory.'

After a Week 16 win over the Jaguars improved the team's record to 11-4, the New England Patriots will be looking to end the regular season on a high note against the Miami Dolphins.

The Patriots will conclude the regular season by hosting the Miami Dolphins, possibly playing for the AFC's top seed.

The Patriots have released 2009 second-round draft pick Ron Brace as they finalize their 53-man roster heading into Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.