FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Home field advantage through the playoffs. Another AFC East title (their eighth in the Bill Belichick Regime).

All of it old news, which left pride as the one thing left for the New England Patriots to play for in Sunday’s regular season finale against the Dolphins.

And with these Pats, pride always seems to be reason enough.

That explains why it was so tough to pry Tom Brady – the NFL’s 2010 MVP in waiting – out of the huddle and onto the sidelines with more than a quarter left to play.

Or why mammoth nose tackle Vince Wilfork – the soul of the Pats defense – kept trampling over the Miami offensive line to get at Dolphins quarterbacks Chad Henne and Tyler Thigpen.

Or how little used slot receiver Julian Edelman – playing in place of a dinged up Wes Welker – was able to turn the Dolphins into minor characters in his personal highlight loop.

“There’s something different about this ball club,” said Wilfork, who conducted his press conference while wearing what had to be the most

massive Spongebob Squarepants t-shirt ever made. “We’re clicking. We trust one another. We put the team first. We’ve just been having fun.”

Who wouldn’t have fun with a 14-2 record? It’s a whole lot better than being 13-3.

“We’d hate to come out here and not finish the season the way we expected to,” said Brady (10-of-16, 199 yds., 2 TDs). “When you stand in the huddle and you’re looking at 10 other guys who are really determined to do their job, it’s my job to bring the energy and enthusiasm. I don’t think (the competitive juices) ever get turned off. You want to win.”

None more than Edelman.

A second year converted quarterback from Kent State, Edelman filled in nicely for Welker last year when injuries hobbled the former Dolphin.

But with Welker able to play the first 15 games of the season, Edelman (just four catches prior to Sunday) barely set foot on the field.

“It’s been different,” said Edelman, who was a seventh round find in 2009 by Belichick’s scouting staff. “I’m just happy to be here to help contribute to the team in any way possible. My role has changed a little bit. Whatever you put on the film, that’s you. I prepare every week like I’m going to play, because you’re only a play away from playing in this game.”

He made up for lost time against the Dolphins with three receptions, including a 40-yarder that set up a 1-yard TD run by BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Later, he put a heel to Miami’s throat by running back a booming (too booming, as it turned out) Brandon Fields punt for 94 yards that put the Pats up 24-0 moments before halftime.

“We knew we had a chance with this punter, because he’s prone to out kicking his coverage,” said Edelman.  “As a punt returner you’re supposed to make one guy miss.”

Edelman made them all whiff.

“I knew when I cut back that we were going to hit the house,” he said.

Edelman wasn’t the only Pats’ sub to shine.

With both starting wideouts, Welker and Deion Branch, sitting this one out, second-year man Brandon Tate stepped in and made a lunging grab of

a 42 yard scoring strike – the first TD ever thrown by Brady’s understudy, Brian Hoyer.

“All the younger guys,” said Tate, “were just ready to go (and) excited to play.”

Just like the older guys.

—Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.