The Patriots can clinch a playoff berth on Sunday. They can do it a very simple, direct, easy way or a very convoluted way.

The simple way is to beat the Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. at Gillette Stadium. That would clinch the AFC East title too and assure them of finishing no worse than the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.

If the Patriots and Bills tie and either the Chargers or Jaguars lose, New England is in.

If the Patriots tie and Houston or Indianapolis loses or ties, New England is guaranteed a postseason spot. Still there have been two ties in the same weekend, just once in the last 50 years.

If the Bills win, the Patriots can lose and still sew up their postseason, but a tie is required there, too. New England would need Houston to lose or tie and Indy to lose or tie. But they can’t both tie.

Like the Patriots, the Broncos are 11-2. Denver hosts the Packers at 4:25 p.m.

They can’t clinch their division yet, but can secure a postseason berth with a win or a tie/loss with all of the same conditions as New England.

In the NFC, the Rams can clinch a spot with a win. There are no other scenarios that earn anyone a spot.