"With a big-time comeback win over the Ravens on Sunday Night Football, the Patriots officially locked up their first playoff berth since the 2021 season. It's a feat not a single analyst predicted before the year began, as New England was coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons and only projected to possibly double their wins in 2025. But as we've seen, they have defied the odds and go into their rematch with the Jets this Sunday with a tied league-best 12-3 record,"
"So, as of now, it's the No. 2 seed, which means they'll play during Wild Card Weekend and host the current 10-5 Texans, who have an impressively dominant defense at Gillette Stadium. It unfortunately also points to the possibility that, even as the No. 1 seed, they could still face Houston because of just how good they have been over the past two months."
The Patriots secured a playoff berth with a comeback win over the Ravens, marking their first postseason appearance since 2021. New England began the year after consecutive 4-13 seasons and pre-season projections did not expect significant improvement. The team now sits tied for the league-best 12-3 record and remains in contention for the AFC No. 1 seed with the Broncos and the AFC East title with the Bills. Projections currently place the Patriots as the No. 2 seed, meaning a Wild Card home game likely against the 10-5 Houston Texans. Houston's defense has surged, recording 16 sacks in five games, including eight on Josh Allen.
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