Overview
- A victory Sunday over Buffalo would lock up the AFC East for New England and complete a season sweep that secures the tiebreaker.
- The 11-2 Patriots host the 9-4 Bills at Gillette Stadium in a CBS 1 p.m. ET regional window.
- The Athletic’s simulation model puts the Patriots at roughly 89% to win the division and about 65% to earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed entering the game, slipping to about 75% and 30% with a loss.
- NFL clinching permutations also offer a playoff berth without a win through combinations involving results for the Chargers, Texans, Colts or Jaguars, with several scenarios requiring ties.
- If they clinch, it would be New England’s first AFC East title since 2019 and only the fifth division crown in franchise history with a quarterback other than Tom Brady.