How is this calculated?

A team is counted as still in the hunt when at least one set of results for the games left would put it in the playoffs, as division winner or wild card, taking into account that its rivals also play each other. It is counted as clinched only when no set of results can keep it out. Teams are compared on wins, a tie counting as half a win. While games remain, the league's tie-breakers are not used for this: teams level on record are treated cautiously, level being enough to stay in and never enough to clinch. The tie-breakers (head-to-head, division and conference records, common games, strength of victory and of schedule, points) give the order of the tables, the seeds if the season ended today and, once every game is played, the final field. Scores come from the nflverse project.

The New England Patriots can still make the 2026 NFL playoffs.

Record: 2-2. Place in the AFC East: 2 of 4. They can still win the AFC East. If the season ended today they would be the number 7 seed in the AFC. Winning every game left would put them in the playoffs whatever happens elsewhere. They can finish with 15 wins at most.

Games left

Week	Opponent
5 · 11 Oct	vs Las Vegas Raiders
6 · 18 Oct	vs New York Jets
7 · 22 Oct	at Chicago Bears
8 · 1 Nov	at Miami Dolphins
9 · 8 Nov	vs Green Bay Packers
10 · 15 Nov	at Detroit Lions
12 · 29 Nov	at Los Angeles Chargers
13 · 6 Dec	vs Buffalo Bills
14 · 10 Dec	vs Minnesota Vikings
15 · 21 Dec	at Kansas City Chiefs
16 · 27 Dec	at New York Jets
17 · 3 Jan	vs Denver Broncos
18 · 10 Jan	vs Miami Dolphins

Results

Week	Opponent	Score
1	at Seattle Seahawks	Lost 10-13
2	vs Pittsburgh Steelers	Won 20-3
3	at Jacksonville Jaguars	Lost 6-35
4	at Buffalo Bills	Won 29-26

Quick answers

Can the New England Patriots still make the 2026 NFL playoffs?: The New England Patriots can still make the 2026 NFL playoffs. If the season ended today they would be the number 7 seed in the AFC. Winning every game left would put them in the playoffs whatever happens elsewhere.
What is the New England Patriots record in 2026?: Record: 2-2. Place in the AFC East: 2 of 4.
How is this calculated?: A team is counted as still in the hunt when at least one set of results for the games left would put it in the playoffs, as division winner or wild card, taking into account that its rivals also play each other. It is counted as clinched only when no set of results can keep it out. Teams are compared on wins, a tie counting as half a win. While games remain, the league's tie-breakers are not used for this: teams level on record are treated cautiously, level being enough to stay in and never enough to clinch. The tie-breakers (head-to-head, division and conference records, common games, strength of victory and of schedule, points) give the order of the tables, the seeds if the season ended today and, once every game is played, the final field. Scores come from the nflverse project.