If the Patriots finish 11-5, they can clinch a sixth straight AFC East division title if the archrival New York Jets also upend the upstart Dolphins or those teams tie. New England can slip in via a wild-card berth with a victory and a loss or tie by the Ravens, who host the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots also can make the playoffs with a tie against Buffalo and a loss by either the Dolphins or Ravens.
"Usually for us we've known what our season outlook was by now," said left guard Logan Mankins. "This year is a different year for us."
It has been a different year - and a difficult one - for the Patriots.
Their season began with the loss of franchise quarterback Tom Brady just 15 offensive plays in. That set the tone for a season that has had more than its share of injuries and adversity. But somehow a team that has lost 14 players to season-ending injured reserve, including Brady, safety Rodney Harrison, and linebacker Adalius Thomas, and has been forced to use 43 starters, including recycled linebackers Junior Seau and Rosevelt Colvin, still has a chance at the playoffs.
"Yeah, it's tough. We've had a tough year. We've battled," said safety James Sanders. "We're in the position where we still have a chance, and that's all you can ask for, so after everything we've been through as a team it's great to know we still have a chance."
The Patriots created that chance by winning three straight games under playoff-like pressure. In the process, they have played some of their best football of the season, putting up 40-plus points in back-to-back blowout wins over the Raiders and Cardinals to set up today's "one-game season," as coach Bill Belichick has called it.
The good news is that in such a crucial contest the Patriots are playing an opponent they have mastered in a month they've dominated. The Patriots have won 10 straight over Buffalo, dating to 2003, and 11 straight in the month of December, dating to 2006.
But Buffalo (7-8) will be highly motivated to send the Patriots home for the season.
