Story byDavid SuggsMon, January 5, 2026 at 5:31 AM UTC·2 min readPatriots playoff picture: Updated seeding scenarios for New England in 2026 NFL bracket originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. One year after finishing bottom of the AFC East with a 4-13 record, the Patriots found themselves in prime position to land the AFC's top seed in the 2026 playoffs. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNew England has found life throughout the regular season, with Mike Vrabel's side racing out to a 13-3 record through 17 weeks. Fueled by Vrabel's tactical nous and Drake Maye's exploits, the Patriots picked up an AFC East title, the first such accomplishment to be handed to a team other than the Bills since 2019. New England needed some help if its hopes to scale the AFC's regular-season mountaintop.