What do the New England Patriots need to advance to the 2025 playoffs on their way to Super Bowl LX?

A crucial moment is unfolding at the close of the NFL regular season. With just three weeks left on the schedule, several teams have already locked up playoff spots on the road to Super Bowl LX, which will be played at Levi’s Stadium – home of the San Francisco 49ers in California – on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

This is how the AFC playoff standings would look if the season ended today.

Up to Week 15, the different divisional leaders are:

1. Denver Broncos (12-2) | AFC West
2. New England Patriots (11-3) | AFC East
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4) | AFC South
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) | AFC North

With three games still to play, seven teams have already been eliminated from contention: the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans.

In the American Conference, the Denver Broncos remain on top as the No. 1 seed with a 12–2 record, and are the first team to clinch a playoff berth regardless of what happens over the final weekends. After an unexpected 35–31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots, now 11–3, still need to wait to officially punch their ticket – though they continue to control their own destiny.

What do the New England Patriots need to advance to the 2025 playoffs?

The New England Patriots will secure their spot in the postseason this week, with one of these possibilities:

1. Victory or Draw for New England Patriots
2. Defeat or Draw of Indianapolis Colts
3. Defeat or Draw for Houston Texans

Next game in Week 16: New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens (7-7) at M&T Bank Stadium; Sunday Night Football game (8:20 p.m. ET)

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