Patriots on Brink of Clinching Division Title, Playoffs Berth
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is focused on the present, not the postseason implications of Sunday's matchup against the Buffalo Bills. A win at Gillette Stadium would catapult the Patriots to the top of the AFC East, securing the division title and a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2021. However, a loss or tie wouldn't necessarily eliminate the Patriots' chances of making the playoffs. Depending on the outcomes of other Week 15 games, New England could still qualify with three regular-season games remaining. The Patriots, who finished last season with a 4-13 record, are now in a strong position, thanks to their players' hard work. Vrabel acknowledged the challenge ahead, citing the Buffalo Bills' recent success and their own team's struggles in the past. The AFC picture is complex, with the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars vying for the top seed. The Broncos can secure a playoff spot with a win or a combination of a tie and losses by other teams. In the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams have a win-or-go-home scenario against the Detroit Lions. The Rams can secure a playoff spot with a win, but a loss would end their postseason hopes. Here's the current playoff picture entering Week 15: AFC Division leaders: 1. Denver Broncos (11-2, 7-2 vs. AFC) 2. New England Patriots (11-2, 6-2 vs. AFC) 3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4, 6-2 vs. AFC) 4. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6, 6-3 vs. AFC) Wild-card leaders: 5. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4, 7-2 vs. AFC) 6. Buffalo Bills (9-4, 6-3 vs. AFC) 7. Houston Texans (8-5, 7-2 vs. AFC) In the hunt: - Indianapolis Colts (8-5, 6-4 vs. AFC) - Baltimore Ravens (6-7, 4-5 vs. AFC) - Kansas City Chiefs (6-7, 3-5 vs. AFC) - Miami Dolphins (6-7, 3-6 vs. AFC) NFC Division leaders: 1. Los Angeles Rams (10-3, 5-3 vs. NFC) 2. Green Bay Packers (9-3-1, 7-2-1 vs. NFC) 3. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5, 7-3 vs. NFC) 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6, 5-4 vs. NFC) Wild-card leaders: 5. Seattle Seahawks (10-3, 6-3 vs. NFC) 6. San Francisco 49ers (9-4, 8-2 vs. NFC) 7. Chicago Bears (9-4, 6-3 vs. NFC) In the hunt: - Detroit Lions (8-5, 5-4) - Carolina Panthers (7-6, 5-3) - Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1, 3-5-1) - Minnesota Vikings (5-8, 3-5)
