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How loss to Bills, Week 15 results impacted Patriots playoff position
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- How loss to Bills, Week 15 results impacted Patriots playoff position
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots are going to need some help to have a chance at the No. 1 seed in the AFC and still have work to do to clinch the AFC East regular-season crown. But a playoff berth is almost secure.
Here’s how things stand
Clinching a Playoff Berth
The Patriots can clinch a playoff spot with a win in any of their remaining games. That would get them to 12 wins and no team currently outside of the playoff picture can reach 12 victories.
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AFC East Picture
| W |
L |
T |
Pct |
PF |
PA |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 |
3 |
0 |
.786 |
382 |
276 |
|
| Buffalo |
10 |
4 |
0 |
.714 |
411 |
324 |
After missing a chance to clinch on Sunday, the Patriots are still the favorite to win the division, but the path is a little tougher.
To go in the front door, the magic number is 3. Any combination of New England wins and Buffalo losses that adds up to three will guarantee the division.
But there’s a backdoor too.
If the Patriots beat the Jets and Dolphins , they’ll win the AFC East regardless of what the Bills do or how New England fares vs. Baltimore next week. Those two wins would assure the Patriots no worse than the same overall record as Buffalo and a better divisional record.
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The Patriots’ remaining schedule
-
Dec. 21 at Baltimore
-
Dec. 28 at NY Jets
-
Jan. 4 vs Miami
Bills remaining schedule
-
Dec. 21 at Cleveland
-
Dec. 28 vs Philadelphia
-
Jan. 4 vs. NY Jets
AFC Top Seed Picture
| W |
L |
T |
Pct |
PF |
PA |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x- Denver |
12 |
2 |
0 |
.857 |
342 |
261 |
| New England |
11 |
3 |
0 |
.786 |
382 |
276 |
| 10 |
4 |
0 |
.714 |
376 |
292 |
X-Clinched playoff berth
The Broncos’ win over the Packers , combined with the Patriots’ 35-31 loss to the Bills, broke a tie between New England and Denver for the best record in the AFC.
The Patriots need some help, but they’re not out of the running to get the bye. New England probably has to win out. Denver has a much tougher schedule remaining with challenging games vs. the Jaguars and Chargers, who are both battling for postseason positioning.
If New England falters, though, the No. 2 seed isn’t guaranteed. The Jaguars’ win over the Jets leaves them just a game behind the Patriots. Jacksonville has a showdown with the Broncos on Sunday and will face the desperate Colts in Week. 17.
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The Patriots’ remaining schedule
-
Dec. 21 at Baltimore
-
Dec. 28 at NY Jets
-
Jan. 4 vs Miami
The Broncos’ remaining schedule:
-
Dec. 21 vs Jacksonville
-
Dec. 25 at Kansas City
-
Jan. 4 vs LA Chargers
The Jaguars’ remaining schedule:
-
Dec. 21 at Denver
-
Dec. 28 at Indianapolis
-
Jan. 3/4 vs. Tennessee
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