NFL Week 15 Playoff Picture: How Patriots Can Clinch First-Round Bye

The New England Patriots clinched the AFC East division for the 13th time in the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era on Monday following the Miami Dolphins’ 31-24 loss to the New York Giants.

Thanks to losses from both the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals, the Pats also catapulted from third place in the conference to the No. 1 seed, and they control their own destiny over the remaining three weeks.

New England can clinch a first-round bye this weekend, however. Here’s how it would happen, via NFL.com.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (vs. Tennessee, Sunday)
New England clinches a first-round bye with:

1) NE win plus DEN loss OR

2) NE win plus CIN loss plus DEN tie