Patriots Playoff-Clinching Scenarios For Week 15

The New England Patriots can clinch the AFC East with a win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

If the Patriots lose, they can still at least clinch their first postseason berth in four years.

New England’s playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 15, however, are complicated.

The Patriots, Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams are the only teams that can officially wrap up a postseason spot on Sunday.

New England kicks off at 1 p.m. ET though, so with Denver and Los Angeles not playing until the late window, the Patriots could be the first team in the league to clinch a playoff berth this season.

The Patriots clinch a playoff berth with:

1. NE win OR
2. NE tie + LAC loss OR
3. NE tie + HOU loss or tie OR
4. NE tie + IND loss or tie OR
5. NE tie + JAX loss OR
6. HOU loss or tie + IND loss or tie as long as both games don’t end in a tie

The Indianapolis Colts don’t play until 4:25 p.m. ET, so if New England falls to Buffalo, Patriots fans would have to wait until Sunday evening to see if the long-awaited “X” will finally show up next to their team in the standings.