Wolfman makes it all clear!  My AFC analysis  
For NFL nuts only:

Use the wild-card tiebreakers to determine home-field advantage.   The first tiebreaker is head-to-head sweep, which is not applicable since NE did not play KC.  After that is conference record, which could end up tied, then common games min. 4, which is also not applicable.  After that is strength of victory Given NE\'s wins over Indy, Tennessee, Philly, Dallas, Denver, and Miami X2, they have easily the best strength of victory in the NFL and probably one of the best in NFL history.  KC has finished their AFC schedule at 10-2.  NE is currently 8-1.  Despite holding an edge in this category right now, NE could lose this edge since they have 3 conference games left.  In other words, they hold this tiebreaker right now, but would finish tied with KC for first and NOT have this tiebreaker if each team loses two more games.  If each team loses one more game, then NE will finish tied in conf. record, and the next tiebreaker is strength of victory, which NE will win.  3 Pats victories will clinch the top spot in the AFC, as will 2 Pats victories and 1 KC loss.  However, the magic number is NOT 3, because 1 Pats win and 2 KC losses would leave NE with a worse conference record, and thus 2nd place.