Despite playing with what has seemed like the tattered shreds of a defense for much of the 2011 NFL season, the New England Patriots are still in line to clinch home-field advantage in Week 17.
AFC Playoffs Scenario: Patriots Can Clinch Home-Field Advantage
All the Patriots have to do to make sure that they won't leave Gillette Stadium in the AFC playoffs is win or tie against the Bills; that would move New England to 13-3 (or 12-3-1) on the year and secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. The Patriots can also earn the first seed if they lose, but only if the Ravens and Steelers, both 11-4 heading into the final week of the regular season, both fall as well.
Of course, the Patriots had the No. 1 seed in the AFC in 2010, too, and were unceremoniously ousted from the playoffs in the divisional round by the New York Jets. Home-field advantage is nice, but Bill Belichick and Co. know it guarantees nothing.
For more on the Patriots, visit Pats Pulpitand SB Nation Boston.
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