The New England Patriots (11-3) clinched a playoff berth with their 34-13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals (1-13) in Week 15. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady clinched a playoff spot for the 11th consecutive season.
That hardly means their final two games of the regular season won’t come with drama. New England is still entrenched in a competition for the second seed. If they retain it, they get a first-round bye. The Buffalo Bills, an AFC East division rival, are among the teams in contention for that spot.
With the Patriots’ win over the Bengals, the Patriots will hold onto the No. 2 seed for Week 15. However, New England will face the Bills in Week 16, and a New England loss to Buffalo could complicate the Patriots’ path to that first round bye. The Patriots also get a pesky Dolphins team in Week 17 — they are led by former New England linebackers coach Brian Flores.
