New England Patriots playoff scenario following Week 15

After stomping a mud hole in the Tennessee Titans, here’s how the New England Patriots can clinch a bye for the playoffs.

The New England Patriots are back on track. After hitting a bit of a swoon against the Denver Broncos and, gulp, Philadelphia Eagles, the men from Massachusetts have regained their footing.

Then again, consecutive games against the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans will do that for a team looking for a shot of adrenaline. Going up against anyone in the AFC South is the equivalent of boxing one of those armless dummies in the gym.

It’s also nice whenever Rob Gronkowski is on the field. Without Gronk (and Julian Edelman and Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount … you get the picture), Tom Brady and the Pats’ offense is limited. When Gronk is available, the team immediately gains a viable taget in the receiving game, a downfield decoy and an extra blocker on the line. Guy is a triple threat.

So here we are leaving Week 15, eyes set squarely on the final two games of the season (the Jets and Dolphins). And, more importantly, the Pats having already won the AFC North are eyeing a first-round bye. With the Bengals and Broncos both playing afternoon games, New England could very well have a bye lined up before many of the players get home for the evening.

Here’s a look at the scenarios where New England can land a first round bye.

Week 15

• Denver Broncos lose
• Denver Broncos tie and Cincinnati Bengals lose

Should all three teams win in Week 15, here’s what needs to play out in Week 16 for a Patriots bye to manifest.

Week 16

• Patriots win