The Patriots can clinch the AFC East with a win this week
New England could clinch for the 10th consecutive year.
The Patriots (9-3) can clinch the AFC East for the 10th consecutive year with a win over the Dolphins Sunday, extending the longest streak of division titles in NFL history (10).
The Chiefs, who are atop the conference playoff standings entering Week 14, can clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie against the Ravens or with a Miami loss or tie plus a Tennessee loss or tie plus an Indianapolis loss or tie.
The Texans, who are third in the playoff standings with four weeks left, can clinch the AFC South with a win over the Colts plus a Tennessee loss or tie or with a tie against the Colts plus a Tennessee loss.
New England holds the tiebreaker over Houston (9-3), which has won nine straight games, and Kansas City (10-2) thanks to wins in Weeks 1 and 6, respectively.
New England would have to fall two games back over the final four weeks to lose a first-round bye.
The Chargers (9-3) sit behind Chiefs in the AFC West and occupy the first wild-card spot as of now.
If New England loses to Miami, but Houston and Kansas City notch wins, the Patriots would be pushed into the No. 3 spot.
LA can clinch a playoff spot this weekend in one of two ways, both of which involve at least four other teams:
■ A win plus a Miami loss or tie plus a Denver loss or tie plus an Indianapolis loss or tie plus a Tennessee loss or tie.
■ A tie plus a Miami loss plus a Denver loss plus an Indianapolis loss or tie plus a Tennessee loss or tie so long as the Colts and the Titans both don’t tie.
