What are the chances the Patriots will make the 2021 playoffs?

The New England Patriots at 9-4 are sitting pretty at the top of the AFC East Standings, enjoying a two-game lead over the Buffalo Bills who are at second place with a 7-6 card.

Coming into Saturday, New England is given a 98% chance of making the playoffs. This seems to be downright miraculous for a team that began the season at 2-4. The Patriots are undoubtedly serious contenders, but with a few more games to go, standings can still shift.

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Both teams fresh

The team will face the 7-6 Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, in what is seen as a battle between two of the best teams in the AFC. Both teams are coming into their Week 15 clash fresh from a bye. It’s expected to be a close fight, though the Pats are slightly favored by oddsmakers to prevail over the Colts. They have defeated Indianapolis in eight straight games.

After that, New England’s remaining games will be played against the Buffalo Bills, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Miami Dolphins.

Not a walk in the park

The Patriots have their work cut out for them- the Bills will be a tough team to beat, and the Dolphins have been getting their act together and inching towards a place in the playoffs.

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New England is pretty much a shoo-in for a place in the postseason, but they have to continue to deliver as they could go down in the seeding.

Number-crunchers have pegged the Patriots as the favorites to win the AFC conference and reach the Super Bowl, with the Kansas City Chiefs at a distant second.