AFC playoff picture: Patriots hold onto wild card spot despite Packers loss
Assessing the AFC standings and playoff picture after the Patriots’ loss on Sunday.
The New England Patriots maintained their wild card spot in the 2026 NFL season following a 45-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Despite entering the season with high expectations, the previous defeat highlights the challenge for the Patriots to meet such high standards. The AFC East standings currently have the Patriots (5-4) leading the Buffalo Bills (6-1) by virtue of their win over Buffalo in Week 4.
The Jets (2-7) and Miami Dolphins (1-7) trail behind. In the overall AFC playoff picture, the Buffalo Bills lead the conference (6-1), followed by Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cincinnati Bengals. The Patriots find themselves on the bubble for a playoff spot, with Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, and Los Angeles Chargers all currently below them in the standings.
While the Patriots' head-to-head victory over the Bills provides an advantage, their multiple losses and lack of dominance over the other 5-4 team, the Browns, could affect their ultimate position in the playoffs.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
