The New England Patriots finish the 2015 season with a respectable 12-4 record, although the team has posted a 2-4 record over the final six weeks. The Patriots can still clinch homefield advantage, but they'll need some help.
In the early games, the Texans and Steelers won and clinched their playoff spots. The Jets lost to the Bills and were eliminated from the playoffs. The final seeds hinge upon the outcome of the Chiefs and Broncos games.
Clinched: The Houston Texans are the 4th seed, while the Pittsburgh Steelers are the 6th seed.
The Patriots will be either the 1st or 2nd seed. The Broncos will be either the 1st, 3rd, or 5th seed. The Bengals will be either the 2nd or 3rd seed. The Chiefs will be either the 3rd or 5th seed.
Here are the three possible scenarios.
Scenario 1: Broncos defeat the Chargers
1. Denver Broncos
2. New England Patriots
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Houston Texans
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bengals host the Steelers, while the Texans host the Chiefs in the wild card round. The Patriots would face either the Bengals, Texans, or Chiefs in the divisional round. This is possibly the toughest route.
Scenario 2: Chargers defeat the Broncos, Chiefs defeat the Raiders
1. New England Patriots
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Houston Texans
5. Denver Broncos
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Chiefs would host the Steelers, while the Texans would host the Broncos in the wild card round. The Patriots would face either the Texans, Broncos, or Steelers in the divisional round. This is the intermediate route.
Scenario 3: Chargers defeat the Broncos, Raiders defeat the Chiefs
1. New England Patriots
2. Cincinnati Bengals
3. Denver Broncos
4. Houston Texans
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Broncos would host the Steelers, while the Texans would host the Chiefs in the wild card round. The Patriots would host the Texans, Chiefs, or Steelers in the divisional round. This is the ideal route.