According to Football Outsiders, the most likely seed for the Patriots is No.5. (64.8 percent chance).
Who are the top four NFC seeds?
On the prowl
| SEED | TEAM | RECORD |
|---|---|---|
| *1 | Packers | 13-3 |
| %2 | Rams | 12-4 |
| *3 | Buccaneers | 12-4 |
| *4 | Cowboys | 11-5 |
NFC – CLINCHED (six of seven)
- Green Bay Packers — NFC North division championship, No.1 seed, first-round bye, and home-field advantage
- The Dallas Cowboys have won the NFC East division.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won the NFC South division.
- Arizona Cardinals – postseason appearance
- Los Angeles Rams – postseason appearance
- Philadelphia Eagles – postseason appearance
Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX, ARIZONA CARDINALS (11-5) vs. Seattle SEAHAWKS (6-10) Arizona wins the NFC West division by virtue of: LOS ANGELES RAMS (12-4) (against. San Francisco (9-7), Sunday, 4:25 PM ET, FOX) The Los Angeles Rams secure the NFC West division championship by:
- LAR win, draw, or lose
- ARI defeat or tie
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (8-8) (at Atlanta (7-9), Sunday, 4:25 PM ET, FOX) New Orleans clinches playoff berth with: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (9-7) (at Los Angeles Rams (12-4), Sunday, 4:25 PM ET, FOX) San Francisco clinches playoff berth with: NO loss or tie NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (8-8) (at Atlanta (7-9), Sunday, 4:25 PM ET, FOX) New Orleans
How do the Patriots win?
Cassel: Mac Jones has earned the right to speak up as a Patriots leader – For the Patriots to win the AFC East in Week 16, they must do more than defeat the Bills. The Miami Dolphins must also lose or draw against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.
There are also five scenarios for the Patriots to secure a wild card spot. Each scenario involves the Patriots defeating the Bills and two or three other favorable outcomes. In Week 16, the Patriots have the potential to secure either the AFC East championship or at least a wild card place under the following scenarios.
New England wins the AFC East division by virtue of: NE victory plus Miami defeat or tie New England secures a postseason spot by: OR NE win + IND loss or tie + CIN loss OR NE win + IND loss or tie + BAL loss + PIT loss or tie OR NE win + IND loss or tie + LAC loss OR NE win + BAL loss + CLE loss or tie + PIT loss or tie OR NE win + BAL loss + CLE loss or tie + PIT loss or tie
