If the New England Patriots are able to handle the New York Jets Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium — and they will — they’ll officially secure the No. 2 seed in the AFC’s playoff picture and a first-round bye.
But based on how the cards have fallen for this team recently, it probably makes more sense to expect them to nab the top seed.
Despite back-to-back losses to the Dolphins and Steelers that figured to handicap their playoff positioning, the Chiefs, Texans, and Chargers have done everything in their powers to provide the Patriots the easiest path to the Super Bowl in Atlanta.