The New England Patriots have officially clinched the AFC East with a 41-13 win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. New England now boasts an 11-3 record, can breathe easier over the next two weeks. The Pats need some help to clinch a first round bye in the AFC this Sunday. If they don't manage to do so, the remainder of the schedule is promising.
NFL playoff picture 2014: Patriots clinch AFC East
The New England Patriots took down the Miami Dolphins on Sunday to move to 11-3 on the season and clinch the AFC East division title.
New England will hit the road to take on the New York Jets in Week 16, and then face the rival Buffalo Bills at home for its regular season finale. Both of those matchups are manageable, especially given that the Patriots handled both the Bills and the Jets in succession in Week 6 and Week 7. They bested the Bills, 37-22, on the road, before eking a win over the Jets, 27-25, at home on Thursday Night Football.
The Patriots led the AFC East for most of the season, and were never in serious danger of losing it. They received a stiffer challenge than they’re use to, however, with both the Bills and the Dolphins exceeding expectations this season.
The Patriots won the division for the sixth consecutive season. They have 12 division titles in the 14 seasons since Tom Brady’s arrival. New England was one of four teams entering Sunday off double digit wins.
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