When the NFL regular season draws to a close on Sunday night, the New England Patriots might end up as the No. 1 seed for the AFC playoffs.
They also could be second. Or third.
Or even fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh.
Every possible seeding scenario — some far more plausible than others — is on the table for the Patriots (10-6) heading into their regular season finale on the road Sunday afternoon against the Miami Dolphins (8-8).
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A loss to the Dolphins means the Patriots will open the playoffs seeded somewhere between No.