Patriots playoff pictures: New England’s latest chance to make 2025 NFL playoffs in Week 15 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The New England Patriots have only been at the bottom of the NFL for a few seasons, and now they’re back at the top of the AFC.
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There’s no other way to put it: Mike Vrabel is the perfect hire for an organization that lacks energy and personality. Immediately, not only did the locker room change, but so did expectations.
Vrabel set a standard that is a key reason his team is where it is today. Another factor is second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who is playing at a true MVP level. The youngster from North Carolina has begun to develop into a top NFL quarterback.
Foxborough fans no longer have to mourn the ghost of Tom Brady, but unlike those days, the Buffalo Bills are a formidable foe.
Josh Allen and his team will storm Gillette Stadium with the goal of regaining dominance in the AFC East. These two teams met in Buffalo in Week 5, with the Patriots emerging victorious.
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Here’s more on the Patriots’ 2025-26 playoff chances as they head into an AFC Championship game against the Buffalo Bills.
More NFL Week 15:
Patriots playoff pictures
Entering Week 15, New England has locked up the second seed in the AFC. Not just because of their 11-2 record, but because they lead the AFC East.
The Patriots hold a two-game lead over the Bills in the head-to-head matchup. If New England wins and sweeps Buffalo, they will surely be crowned AFC East champions.
As it stands, Next Gen Stats shows the Patriots have a better than 99% chance of making the playoffs.
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Here’s a look at Week 15 of the AFC playoffs. The top four seeds are the conference leaders.
|
rank |
team |
Record |
|
1 |
denver broncos |
11-2 |
|
2 |
new england patriots |
11-2 |
|
3 |
jacksonville jaguars |
9-4 |
|
4 |
pittsburg steelers |
7-6 |
|
5 |
Los Angeles Chargers |
9-4 |
|
6 |
buffalo bill |
9-4 |
|
7 |
houston texans |
8-5 |
|
8 |
indianapolis colts |
8-5 |
|
9 |
baltimore ravens |
6-7 |
|
10 |
kansas city chiefs |
6-7 |
|
11 |
miami dolphins |
6-7 |
|
12 |
cincinnati tigers |
4-9 |
|
13 |
new york jets |
3-10 |
|
14 |
cleveland browns |
3-10 |
|
15 |
las vegas raiders |
2-11 |
|
16 |
Tennessee Titans |
2-11 |
More: NFL playoff pictures updated with Week 14 results
AFC East standings
|
team |
Record |
|
new england patriots |
11-2 |
|
buffalo bill |
9-4 |
|
miami dolphins |
6-7 |
|
new york jets |
3-10 |
The Patriots will undoubtedly be a playoff team; not sure how they’ll do that. They will make the playoffs with the lead in the AFC East so far. However, even if Buffalo surpasses them, New England will still be the top wild-card team.
Patriots remaining schedule
Once the Patriots beat Buffalo in Week 15, they will be the favorite in two of the three remaining games. No matter how poorly the Baltimore Ravens play, Lamar Jackson is a threat to anyone.
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New England will then end their season with games against the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, which they should win easily.
Here’s a look at New England’s remaining schedule.
|
Week |
opponent |
|
16 |
on the ravens |
|
No. 17 |
on the jets |
|
18 |
vs dolphins |
