If the Patriots lose today, they do not clinch the AFC East and their path to a division title and favorable playoff seeding becomes harder, but their season is not over.
Division race
A loss to the Bills means the Patriots miss the chance to lock up the AFC East this week, keeping Buffalo alive in the division race. The teams would remain separated by only one game with three weeks left, so New England would likely need at least one more win (and possibly help) to secure the division.
Playoff implications
Even with a loss, New England would still be in strong position for a playoff spot, but the margin for error for the No. 1 seed and home‑field advantage would shrink or disappear. Other AFC contenders like Denver and Jacksonville benefit from a Patriots loss, which can drop New England down the conference seeding line and potentially force them into a tougher wild‑card path.
Remaining schedule impact
Failing to clinch today increases the stakes of the remaining games against opponents like the Ravens, Jets, and Dolphins, turning them into must‑win or near‑must‑win contests for the division and seeding. How the Patriots respond to this setback over the final stretch will determine whether they still take the AFC East and what seed they earn.
