Can Patriots clinch AFC East in Week 15? Examining New England's playoff scenarios

Mike Moraitis

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Can Patriots clinch AFC East in Week 15? Examining New England's playoff scenarios image

The New England Patriots have a massively important game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on Sunday in Week 15.

New England (11-2) enters the week sitting in first place in the AFC East by multiple games over Buffalo (9-4).

The Patriots are also in the mix for the No. 1 seed, with New England sitting in the No. 2 spot behind the Denver Broncos thanks to a tie-breaker. However, the Pats can jump the Broncos with a win and a Denver loss.

Believe it or not, the Patriots can clinch the AFC East a few weeks early with a win.

But there are also scenarios in which the Patriots can punch their ticket to the postseason, even if they don't win and secure the division.

Here's how.

Can Patriots clinch AFC East in Week 15?

Yes, the Patriots can clinch the division with a win on Sunday.

Even though that result would leave the Bills three games back record-wise with three games left to play, the Patriots would wrap up the head-to-head tie-breaker, which would make it a four-game lead with three left to play.

How Patriots can clinch postseason berth

It's very simple: a win for the Patriots on Sunday clinches the division. Anything short of that won't get the job done for the AFC East.

The Patriots can still secure a playoff spot without a win, although all of their avenues include at least one tie.

As we know, ties are pretty rare in the NFL, so chances are New England will have to wait another week to clinch if it doesn't win on Sunday.

Nevertheless, here are those scenarios, per NFL.com:

  • NE tie + LAC loss OR
  • NE tie + HOU loss or tie OR
  • NE tie + IND loss or tie OR
  • NE tie + JAX loss OR
  • HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie as long as both games don't end in a tie 

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Editorial Team