The New England Patriots didn’t get a snow day on Friday.

And they certainly had better not take today off, either.

There should be no rest for the weary, or even those who aren’t weary. Yes, they are already a playoff team, and today’s opponent in the humidity of South Florida, the Miami Dolphins, are already out of the playoffs.

But the Patriots could potentially improve their seeding with a win, maybe even win the AFC East if Buffalo sluffs off against the Jets, believe it or not. The only thing they can’t do is finish as the AFC’s top seed, thanks to Kansas City’s win over Denver on Saturday.

And just think, that would mean a home playoff game at Gillette Stadium next weekend (hopefully not Monday night).

Even if they don’t get the division, a win would help them avoid a trip to Tennessee or Cincinnati, or even Kansas City. Instead they’d likely wind up going to Buffalo, where they’ve already won.

The Patriots have had many misteps in Miami in the past that have cost them seedings. But this team likely won’t lay down. However, they’ll be without injured linebacker Dont’a Hightower, and didn’t elevate latest fan favorite receiver Kristian Wilkerson from the practice squad.

“The team has a good work ethic and they’ve been competitive,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said this week. “For the most part, we’ve put oursevles to be competitive and have a chance to win at the end of the game. That’s a good thing. The bad thing is to start as slowly as we have at times, but I’d say, from a competitive standpoint, we’ve answered the bell in every round.”

Ding-Ding, the bell is ringing again today. The Patriots just down’t want it to toll for them.

Meanwhile, it won’t toll for yours truly who finally snapped the month-long 4-3 doldrums last week. It’s been a long season and the playoffs can’t get here soon enough.

Here’s how seven key games could shape up:

PATRIOTS 24, DOLPHINS 13

The Patriots may have their swagger back, and they’re playing against a Dolphins team that has nothing to play for, has a good defense but a below-average quarterback.

Let’s face it, had Damien Harris not fumbled in the season opener’s final minute, the Patriots might be the No. 1 team in the AFC. If he plays, he won’t fumble today.

BILLS 27, JETS 16

The game is in Buffalo which means likely lousy weather which means likely a sub-par Bills performance. It should still be enough to beat the Jets. If not, guess who your AFC East champs are?

CHARGERS 30, RAIDERS 27

It will come down to a last second field goal that will break the hearts of Raider fans in Vegas, after all the team has been through, and L.A.-Should-Be-San Diego will be in the the playoffs.

STEELERS 17, RAVENS 13

Big Ben goes out a winner; both teams need this one and for Indy to lose to Jacksonville. That’s not happening. Lamar Jackson is not starting for the Ravens, so the Steelers should be able to pull this one out. Either way, we bid adieu to Ben Roethlisberger.

RAMS 27, NINERS 17

Jimmy G, it looks like, may play for the Niners after all, but don’t expect him to be able to do much for the Niners, who throttled L.A.earlier in the season. The Rams seem to be gaining some steam and will get their revenge as right now we think they could be the second best team in the conference behind Green Bay.

CARDINALS 30, SEAHAWKS 13

This could be it for old friend Pete Carroll and his QB, Russell Wilson. The Seahawks got soft up front on both sides of the ball, so it’s no secret what went wrong. Can they fix it? Not in one year, so Wilson will want to move on as he watched the Cardinals march into the playoffs.

FALCONS 23, SAINTS 13

Atlanta has the better QB in this one, and it would be a joke if this offensively-challenged Saints team makes the playoffs, which they will likely do if they win. New Orleans has a good defense but Atlanta won’t lay down at home.

LAST WEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 78-43

Tom King may be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow King on Twitter (@Telegraph_TomK).