If NE keeps winning, which week will they clinch home field?

[phaedrus]

Once NE clinches home field advantage, would they sit their stars (during our playoff weeks)? NE may be too good--I don't see them losing.

[FatFoot]

This is probably a good point... no way will they sit their stars early, but once they've got games in hand, more or less (and their schedule isn't particularly tough) I think they WILL start resting stars... otherwise, it'd seem like a pointless extra effort... moreso than even now.

[Azrael]

They won't be sitting their starters until games are clinched as long as they are undefeated.

[phaedrus]

In '05, Indy clinched home field advantage and sat Edge their last game. This meaningless last game (for them) was our fantasy championship. I lost.
I'm just wary of this occuring again with Brady now on my team. Would they play him even if they had home field throughout the playoffs?

[aaawall91]

Shame on you for having a week 17 championship.

[Rajin]

If the dolphins beat the bills next week, the pats can clinch the division by beating the bills in their next game. The dolphins and jets are already eliminated from the division.

Since they beat the colts, they just need to match the colts the rest of the way. If the colts don't lose again, the pats would clinch only after week 16. If the colts 1 other game, the pats can clinch after week 15.