How Patriots can clinch a playoff spot before even playing on Sunday night

Billy Heyen

How Patriots can clinch a playoff spot before even playing on Sunday night image

The New England Patriots will try to rebound in Week 16 from their loss a week ago to the Buffalo Bills.

That chance will come on Sunday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Pats still hold a one-game edge in the AFC East Division with three games to play, entering the day at 11-3.

They haven't officially clinched a playoff spot of any kind, but that can happen in a few different ways on Sunday.

One of the possibilities would happen before New England even plays in primetime.

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How can the Patriots clinch a playoff spot?

There are three ways the Pats can clinch a playoff spot, via the NFL:

  1. Patriots win or tie vs. Ravens
  2. Colts loss or tie vs. 49ers
  3. Texans loss or tie vs. Raiders

The Colts don't play until Monday night, so that would have to wait.

The Texans play late afternoon Sunday, though, so if the Raiders pulled an upset, the Patriots would be in the postseason before even playing.

Of course, they can take care of things themselves on Sunday night, too.

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Editorial Team