Yes, the 2021 NFL season is at its midway point, but it’s never too early to start looking ahead to the playoffs.
Following winning three straight games, the Patriots currently are 5-4 and have a 53% chance of making the playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight. And following the Bills’ loss to the Jaguars, the AFC East is still up for grabs as well, especially since the two teams play each other twice in the second half of the season.
As of now, the Patriots would be the seventh seed in the AFC.
Remember, seven teams make the playoffs and only the top seed gets a first-round bye.
So, here’s how things currently look in the AFC.
1. Tennessee 7-2
Remaining games: vs. Saints, vs. Texans, at Patriots, Bye, vs. Jaguars, at Steelers, vs. 49ers, vs. Dolphins, at Texans
2. Baltimore 6-2
Remaining games: at Dolphins, at Bears, vs. Browns, at Steelers, at Browns, vs. Packers, at Bengals, vs. Rams, vs. Steelers
3. L.A. Chargers 5-3
Remaining games: vs. Vikings, vs. Steelers, at Broncos, at Bengals, vs. Giants, vs. Chiefs, at Texans, vs. Broncos, at Raiders
4. Buffalo 5-3
Remaining games: at Jets, vs. Colts, at Saints, vs. Patriots, at Buccaneers, vs. Panthers, at Patriots, vs. Falcons, vs. Jets
5. Las Vegas 5-3
Remaining games: vs. Chiefs, vs. Bengals, at Cowboys, vs. Washington, at Chiefs, at Browns, vs. Broncos, at Colts, vs. Chargers
6. Pittsburgh 5-3
Remaining games: vs. Lions, at Chargers, at Bengals, vs. Ravens, at Vikings, vs. Titans, at Chiefs, vs. Browns, at Ravens
7. New England 5-4
Remaining games: vs. Browns, at Falcons, vs. Titans, at Bills, Bye, at Colts, vs. Bills, vs. Jaguars, at Dolphins
IN THE HUNT
8. Kansas City 5-4
Remaining games: at Raiders, vs. Cowboys, Bye, vs. Broncos, vs. Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Steelers, at Bengals, at Broncos
9. Cleveland 5-4
Remaining games: at Patriots, vs. Lions, at Ravens, Bye, vs. Ravens, vs. Raiders, at Packers, at Steelers, vs. Bengals
10. Cincinnati 5-4
Remaining games: Bye, at Raiders, vs. Steelers, vs. Chargers, vs. 49ers, at Broncos, vs. Ravens, vs. Chiefs, at Browns
11. Denver 5-4
Remaining games: vs. Eagles, Bye, vs. Chargers, at Chiefs, vs. Lions, vs. Bengals, at Raiders, at Chargers, vs. Chiefs
12. Indianapolis 4-5
Remaining games: vs. Jaguars, at Bills, vs. Buccaneers, at Texans, Bye, vs. Patriots, at Cardinals, vs. Raiders, at Jaguars
ANALYSIS: Clearly, the AFC is wide open and there is no dominant team. This is going to change a great deal every single week. Just look at the Bengals — just a few weeks ago they were the top team in the conference and now they are the No. 10 seed. The AFC North teams may have the toughest road since they all have to play each other a good amount over the second half of the season. Relating to the Patriots, they are in a decent spot considering their biggest games the rest of the year are primarily at home. The only exemption is going to Buffalo on a Monday night. Everything is in front of them, so if they take care of business they will be in the postseason.
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