The Patriots have a playoff spot well in hand and could lock up the AFC's No. 1 seed with a win over the Bills on Sunday. If the Pats are able to secure the top seed in the AFC, they could end up with a favorable road to the Super Bowl, as it would go through Foxboro, where the Pats are even tougher to defeat.
It remains to be seen who the Pats will be matched up against in the postseason, but with Tom Brady at the helm and Belichick on the sideline, a trip to the Super Bowl is never out of the question. And given the way the team has played for the most part this season, the Pats could again be the favorites to represent the AFC on the last weekend of the football year.
However, after watching New England falter in its first playoff game last season against the Jets after a 14-2 regular season, Patriots fans know nothing is a sure thing. And with teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers standing in the way, the Pats will have to fight hard in order to punch their ticket to Indianapolis.
In fact, last season's loss to the Jets could benefit the Patriots this season, as they'll surely want to avoid the heartache that accompanies a loss this time around. What it likely all boils down to, though, is whether the New England offense can continue its dominance and whether the defense can make enough key plays.
Playoff football is certainly different. We'll see if the Pats have what it takes. It's been seven years since the Lombardi Trophy has come home to New England. Pats fans are hungry for another title.
