Postgame update: The Patriots lost 35-31 to the Bills and thus will not clinch the division this week. They remain one game up, but have now split the head-to-head tiebreaker. The next tiebreaker is division record. The Patriots are 3-1 in the division while the Bills are 3-2.
NFL playoff picture: How Patriots can clinch a playoff berth in Week 15
The Patriots control their destiny in the AFC East and can clinch the division in Week 15. Mark Schofield breaks down what they need to do.
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Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
The Buffalo Bills have won the AFC East for five consecutive season.
That streak could end this Sunday.
The New England Patriots host their division rivals at Gillette Stadium in Week 15, and with a victory the Patriots would clinch their first AFC East title since the 2019-2020 NFL season. That team lost on Wild Card weekend to the Tennessee Titans at home, a team coached by current Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
It was also Tom Brady’s last game in a Patriots uniform.
Here is everything you need to know about New England’s clinching scenarios in Week 15.
Patriots playoff berth clinching scenarios
Things are rather straightforward for the Patriots this weekend. With a victory over the Bills, the Patriots would clinch an AFC East title, and a playoff spot. New England enters Week 15 with an 11-2 record, leading the division and placing them second in the AFC overall, behind only the Denver Broncos.
Buffalo enters Week 15 with a 9-4 record.
A win would improve New England to 12-2 on the season, while dropping the Bills to 9-5. Theoretically, the Patriots could lose their remaining three games to finish 12-5 while Buffalo could win their final three games to finish tied with New England. However, New England’s win over the Bills earlier this season means a victory over Buffalo on Sunday would clinch the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Bills for the Patriots.
Patriots remaining schedule
Even with a loss, the Patriots would remain heavy favorites to win the division, as they would have a one-game lead over Buffalo with a favorable schedule and would still have a one-game lead in the division record tiebreaker. Here are the Patriots’ final three games this season:
- at Baltimore (6-7)
- at New York Jets (3-10)
- vs. Miami Dolphins (6-7)
Bills remaining schedule
Here is Buffalo’s remaining schedule following Sunday’s game against the Patriots:
- at Cleveland (3-10)
- vs. Philadelphia (8-4)
- vs. New York Jets (3-10)
AFC East standings
Here are the full AFC East standings ahead of Week 15:
1. New England Patriots (11-2)
2. Buffalo Bills (9-4)
3. Miami Dolphins (6-7)
4. New York Jets (3-10) - e
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