Patriots playoff picture: How beating the Jets impacts the AFC standings

October 20, 2026

Following a slow start to the year, the New England Patriots secured a 26-19 triumph over the New York Jets to lift their record to four wins and two losses. This outcome created valuable separation in the conference, positioning the team second in the division behind the Buffalo Bills, who hold a 5-1 mark after defeating the Raiders 33-30.

Despite a forthcoming matchup against the Chicago Bears, the Patriots will remain one contest behind the division leaders while Buffalo rests on a bye week.

Across the broader conference table, the Kansas City Chiefs lead the playoff picture at 5-0 while on a bye, followed by Buffalo, the 4-2 Jacksonville Jaguars, the 4-2 Cleveland Browns, New England, the 4-2 Denver Broncos, and the 4-2 Pittsburgh Steelers. The Baltimore Ravens slipped out of the top tier down to eighth at 4-2 following a defeat against the Browns, while the Houston Texans handed the Jaguars a loss to shake up the standings.

Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers sit at the bottom of the conference standings without a victory yet this season.