Patriots Clinch First Round Bye

Today's 33-16 win over the Tennessee Titans just got a bit sweeter for the New England Patriots. By coupling the Denver Broncos' loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and their own win, the Patriots have officially clinched a first round bye for the playoffs. 

The win was New England's twelfth victory of the season, giving them at least 12 wins in each of the last six seasons. Denver's loss was their fourth of the season, after dropping each of their last two games.

Now that the Patriots have a two game lead over the Broncos, in the conference, their head-to-head loss would only affect them in terms of seeding between the first and second spots, both of which are guaranteed byes. New England would also have to drop both of their next two games, while Denver won out, to have that game factor in.

Denver also has to play the Cincinnati Bengals, who are currently sandwiched between them and New England with three regular season losses. Due to the Denver/Cincy match up the Pats will end next week with a leg up on both.

New England currently has a one game edge on Cincy.

So in the end, New England will get an extra week of rest for their walking wounded to get back to full health and they're in the driver's seat in terms of clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs. That always helps.