Everything old is new again.
The New England Patriots are an example of that. The cast might change, but the story remains the same for one of the NFL’s more storied franchises.
Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye have the Patriots near the top of the AFC with one week to go in the regular season, marking a turnaround that even the most optimistic New England fans didn’t see coming.
Advertisement
Now officially AFC East champions, the Patriots can slot in as the No. 1, 2, or 3 seed when the dust settles, creating some uncertainty about their first-round opponents heading into Week 18.
If they land the top spot, they get to avoid the wild-card round entirely.
Here’s a look at who could be on New England’s schedule to open the playoffs.
1 / 4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
1 / 4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
2 / 4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: The New England Patriots’ Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.
3 / 4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.
4 / 4
Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.
Who will the Patriots play in playoffs?
The Patriots will slot in as division winners in the postseason. Here is who they could match up against:
Patriots playoff scenarios
Here are the scenarios that would lead to each first-round matchup:
BYE
Perhaps the easiest scenario is also the best-case scenario for the Patriots. If they win in Week 18 and the Broncos lose, they can take a week off and wait for the divisional round to begin in a few weeks.
Advertisement
Patriots win (vs. MIA) and Broncos loss (vs. LAC)
Buffalo Bills
Patriots win (vs. MIA), Broncos win (vs. LAC) and Bills lose (vs. NYJ)
Patriots loss (vs. MIA), Broncos win (vs. LAC), Bills win (vs. NYJ), Jaguars win (vs. TEN) and Texans win (vs. IND)
Houston Texans
Patriots loss (vs. MIA), Texans loss (vs. IND), Broncos win (vs. LAC), Jaguars win (vs. TEN), Bills win (vs. NYJ)
Patriots loss (vs. MIA), Chargers win (vs. DEN), Bills win (vs. NYJ), Titans win (vs. JAX) and Colts win (vs. HOU)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Patriots loss (vs. MIA), Chargers win (vs. DEN), Bills win (vs. NYJ), Titans win (vs. JAX) and Texans win (vs. IND)
Los Angeles Chargers
Patriots win (vs. MIA), Broncos win (vs. LAC), Bills win (vs. NYJ)
Patriots loss (vs. MIA), Broncos win (vs. LAC), Bills win (vs. NYJ), Titans win (vs. JAX) and Colts win (vs. HOU)
NFL playoff schedule
The NFL playoffs kick off on Jan. 11 with the league’s Super Wild Card Weekend before concluding on Feb. 9 with Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.
Super Wild Card weekend
All times Eastern
Wild Card weekend
All times Eastern
Saturday, Jan. 10
AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.
AFC/NFC wild card game: 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 11
AFC/NFC wild card game: 1 p.m.
AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.
AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 12
AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.
Divisional round
Saturday, Jan. 17
AFC/NFC divisional game: 4:30 p.m.
AFC/NFC division game: 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 18
AFC/NFC divisional game: 3 p.m.
AFC/NFC divisional game: 6:30 p.m.
NFL conference championship round
Sunday, Jan. 25
AFC championship game: 3 p.m.
NFC championship game: 6:30 p.m.
Super Bowl 60
Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
NFL playoff picture Week 17AFC
New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
Buffalo Bills (11-5, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
NFC
San Francisco 49ers (11-4, wild card No. 1)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who will Patriots play in playoffs? Breaking down wild card scenarios