Patriots Clinch Home-Field Advantage In Playoffs After Broncos Lose

The New England Patriots still can overnight the Cincinnati Bengals a fruitcake if they act quickly before Christmas.

The Patriots clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs Monday night when the Bengals beat the Denver Broncos 37-28 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Patriots now hold the No. 1 seed in the postseason regardless of what happens next Sunday when they take on the Buffalo Bills in Foxboro.

The Patriots are likely to rest their starters now that they’ve clinched home-field advantage. They are 15-0 at home over the last two seasons.

The Broncos need to beat the Oakland Raiders in Denver next week to clinch a first-round bye. If the Broncos lose and the Bengals beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, then Cincinnati will steal the No. 2 seed and first-round bye from Denver.

Since the Broncos lost, the Patriots-Bills game will remain at 1 p.m.