With a big-time comeback win over the Ravens on Sunday Night Football, the Patriots officially locked up their first playoff berth since the 2021 season. It's a feat not a single analyst predicted before the year began, as New England was coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons and only projected to possibly double their wins in 2025.
But as we've seen, they have defied the odds and go into their rematch with the Jets this Sunday with a tied league-best 12-3 record, and are still actively competing for the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the Broncos, as well as the AFC East with the Bills.