Drake Maye, Patriots Clinch 2026 NFL Playoff Berth, Updated Standings and Bracket

The New England Patriots' three-year playoff drought is officially over.

MVP candidate Drake Maye and the Pats clinched their spot after the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, 28-24.

Here's a look at the updated NFL playoff picture:

NFC Playoff Picture

Division Leaders

1. x-Seattle Seahawks (12-3, NFC West)

2. z-Chicago Bears (11-4, NFC North)

3. z-Philadelphia Eagles (10-5, NFC East)

4. Carolina Panthers (8-7, NFC South)

Wild Card Teams

5. x-Los Angeles Rams (11-4)

6. x-San Francisco 49ers (10-4)

7. Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)

In the Hunt

8. Detroit Lions (8-7)

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8)

Eliminated

10. Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

11. Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)

12. Atlanta Falcons (6-9)

13. New Orleans Saints (5-10)

14. Washington Commanders (4-11)

15. Arizona Cardinals (3-12)

16. New York Giants (2-13)

x - denotes clinched playoffs

z - denotes clinched division

AFC Playoff Picture

Division Leaders

1. x-Denver Broncos (12-3, AFC West)

2. x-New England Patriots (12-3, AFC East)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4, AFC South)

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6, AFC North)

Wild Card Teams

5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)

6. Buffalo Bills (11-4)

7. Houston Texans (10-5)

In The Hunt

8. Indianapolis Colts (8-6)

9. Baltimore Ravens (7-8)

Eliminated

10. Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)

11. Miami Dolphins (6-9)

12. Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)

13. New York Jets (3-12)

14. Tennessee Titans (3-12)

15. Cleveland Browns (3-12)

15. Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)

There perhaps hasn't been a better turnaround story this season than the Patriots. After posting a pair of 4-13 seasons in Bill Belichick's final campaign in 2023 and Jerod Mayo's lone season in 2024, the Patriots hired head coach Mike Vrabel to right the ship.

They were also aggressive in free agency, landing defensive tackles Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga, wideouts Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, edge-rushers Harold Landry and K'Lavon Chaisson, linebacker Robert Spillane, cornerback Carlton Davis III, center Garrett Bradbury and offensive tackle Morgan Moses, among others. They also drafted offensive tackle Will Campbell, running back TreVeyon Henderson and safety Craig Woodson.

Those moves completely revitalized a roster that had been severely devoid of talent, and the result has been a dramatic turnaround that now has the Patriots returning to the postseason and Maye looking like a legitimate MVP candidate.

Another factor was the team's pretty soft schedule this season, making it fair to question just how deep a playoff run the Pats are capable of making. They will not enter the postseason as one of the more battle-tested teams in the AFC, though they d0 have quality wins over the Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Ravens.

The Patriots can only play the teams that are scheduled, of course, and have dramatically outplayed expectations. The future is bright in Foxboro, and a deep playoff run would only be the icing on that cake.