AFP - New England trounced Buffalo 34-3 to lock up home field advantage throughout the playoffs as Baltimore, Kansas City and the New York Jets punched their NFL playoff tickets.
The Patriots had already secured a playoff berth, but they'll be even tougher to beat now that they have wrapped up the American Conference top seed.
Quarterback Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes, including two to tight end Rob Gronkowski, and extended his streak of attempts without an interception to 319.
That topped the league record of 308 set by Bernie Kosar with Cleveland in the 1990-91 seasons.
"I guess I'm glad I'm not throwing interceptions," Brady said, but he was more happy to see his team clinch their eighth division title in 10 years and finish first in their conference for the third time since 2003.
"It never gets old," Brady said. "We never get tired of winning."
The Patriots have gone seven straight games without a turnover and have only turned the ball over nine times this season.
Coach Bill Belichick didn't realize until after the game that Brady had surpassed Kosar's mark.
"That's great," Belichick said. "Tom does a great job of managing the game and taking care of the ball. I think he deserves that."
While the Patriots were busy smoothing their playoff path, a host of other teams were jockeying for postseason position.
Baltimore got in with a win, while Kansas City needed a victory and some help from rivals San Diego. The New York Jets advanced despite a defeat, while Philadelphia clinched their division title despite not stepping on the field.
The Ravens secured their playoff berth with a 20-10 victory over Cleveland.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes and Baltimore's defense stymied the Browns, who remain tied with Pittsburgh for the AFC North division title with one game remaining.
The New York Jets and New York Giants also had chances to book playoff berths with victories -- and both lost.
The Jets fell 38-34 at playoff-bound Chicago, suffering their third defeat in four games. They advanced to the playoffs anyway, courtesy of Jacksonville's 20-17 overtime loss to Washington.
"This was a bit odd," admitted Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who saw the Redskins win on television. "We went from being down, a blown opportunity to 'we're in.'"
The Giants' playoff hopes took a hit with a 45-17 defeat at Green Bay. The Giants continued to struggle with turnovers. They gave up two fumbles and quarterback Eli Manning threw four interceptions.
Kansas City got a needed 34-14 victory over Tennessee, then clinched the AFC West title when San Diego fell 34-20 to Cincinnati.
Philadelphia's home game against Minnesota was postponed until Tuesday because of the threat of a blizzard, but the Eagles were celebrating the NFC East title after the Giants lost.
Indianapolis, last season's Super Bowl runner-up, defeated Oakland 31-26 to move within one win of securing the AFC South title.
Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes and the Colts overcame his two second-half interceptions.
The victory, coupled with Jacksonville's defeat, means the Colts will reach the playoffs with a victory against the Titans next week or a Jaguars loss at Houston.
St. Louis defeated San Francisco 25-17 to give themselves a chance to claim a playoff berth next week.
The Rams need to beat NFC West division rivals Seattle to claim the division and their first playoff berth since 2004.
Seattle still have a chance to deny the Rams the division title, despite falling 38-15 at Tampa Bay.
In other games, Detroit defeated Miami 34-27 and Denver rallied from a 17-0 halftime deficit to edge Houston 24-23.
On Monday, Super Bowl champions New Orleans will try to secure their playoff berth when they visit playoff-bound Atlanta.
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