PLAYOFF SCENARIO

The Patriots can clinch the AFC East title today if they defeat the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins lose on the road at San Diego. If that happens, the first-place Patriots would lead the second-place Dolphins by three games in the standings with three games to play and the Patriots would be assured of winning the tiebreaker over the Dolphins based on a better divisional record. The Patriots have won five division titles in the 11 full seasons since Robert Kraft purchased the team in 1994, and have led the NFL over that span with 12 playoff wins, four conference championships and three Super Bowl titles. New England has won the AFC East crown in three of the last four seasons (2001, 2003, 2004). The Patriots finished tied for the best record in the AFC East in 2002, but the New York Jets claimed the division crown on the third tiebreaker (record against common opponents). The Patriots have won eight division titles in their 45-year history.

DOMINANT IN DECEMBER

The weather may turn cold late in the NFL season, but in recent years the Patriots have remained red hot. Since Bill Belichick took over as head coach in 2000, the Patriots have recorded a 16-5 (.762) record in games played in the month of December. New England has historically responded well to cold weather, compiling a 23-2 (.920) record since 1993 when the game-time temperature is below 35 degrees. The Patriots' December dominance has fit into the team's recent history of saving its best football for the end of the season. Since 2001, the Patriots have recorded a 42-7 (.857) record in games played after Nov. 1.

SERIES HISTORY

The Patriots and Bills meet for the 92nd time since the series between the AFC East rivals began in 1960. The Patriots lead the series 50-40, with one tie. The Patriots' 50 wins over Buffalo are their most over any opponent, seven more than they own over the Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts (43). New England has won nine of its last 10 games against Buffalo, dating back to the 2000 season. The teams have had many memorable matchups over the years, including a five-game span from 1999 to 2001 where four of the five contests were decided in overtime.

ICE MEN

18-0
Tom Brady's career record as a starter when the game-time temperature is less than 40 degrees (including playoffs).

11
The number of times Brady has not thrown an interception in his 18 starts when the game-time temperature is less than 40 degrees.

34-for-38
Adam Vinatieri's field goal success rate in his last 17 games when the game-time time temperature is less then 40 degrees (89.5 percent). The success streak includes a 13-for-14 performance in playoff games and dates back to Dec. 16, 2001.

23-2
The Patriots' record since 1993 when the game-time temperature is 35 degrees or less (.920 winning percentage).

19-1
The Patriots' record since 1993 when the game-time temperature is 34 degrees or less (.950 winning percentage).

13-0
The Patriots' record since 1993 when the game-time temperature is 30 degrees or less.

9-0
The Patriots' all-time record in snowy games in Foxborough. The franchise moved there from Boston in 1971.