FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots have plenty at stake in their season finale against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
The Patriots (11-4) have clinched their fifth straight AFC East title, but they can secure a first-round bye in the playoffs with one more win. And if they win and the Denver Broncos lose, the Patriots would clinch the No. 1 spot and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
But if they lose, they could end up in the wild-card round and have to win three games to reach the Super Bowl.
Patriots defensive end Andre Carter says the players aren't thinking about the bye. He says their focus is on the Bills (6-9), who have won their last two games.