Cologne – After superstar Tom Brady left, the New England Patriots missed the playoffs in the NFL professional football league for the first time in twelve years. The team around the German fullback Jakob Johnson gambled away its already slim chances with a 12:22 at the Miami Dolphins.
Quarterback Brady moved from the Patriots to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the season after 20 years and six Super Bowl triumphs. With his new team, the 43-year-old won 31:27 at the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after falling 0:17.
With nine wins and five losses, Tampa is still second for NFC South behind the New Orleans Saints (10: 3), who face champions Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday with returnees Drew Brees.
The Seattle Seahawks secured their ticket for the play-offs with a 20:15 win at Washington Football Team. The beaten-off San Francisco 49ers, team of German linebacker Mark Nzeocha, lost 33:41 to the Dallas Cowboys.
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