The Patriots are division champs again.
New England clinched a playoff spot and the AFC East title with the Dolphins’ 19-0 loss to the Bills. They didn’t even have to play. The Patriots’ matchup against the Ravens is still meaningful, however, since the Bengals beat the Vikings. A New England win would increase its chances of having a first-round bye in the playoffs.
This is the fifth straight year the Patriots have won the AFC East. The last year New England did not win the division was in 2008 when they missed the playoffs altogether. That was the year quarterback Tom Brady tore his ACL in Week 1. Matt Cassel took over for the rest of the season.
The Patriots will be greeted with hats and T-shirts regardless of the outcome of their matchup with the Ravens.
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