Three march into NFL playoffs 

Three march into NFL playoffs

The two-time defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots clinched the AFC East this weekend, then the Cincinnati Bengals took the AFC North. The Denver Broncos also assured themselves a spot in the playoffs. After New England blanked Tampa Bay 28-0 on Saturday, improving to 9-5, it eliminated Miami from taking the division crown. The Dolphins fell out of the playoff chase despite a 24-20 win over the New York Jets on Sunday. Denver also won Saturday, beating Buffalo 28-17. That was enough to guarantee the Broncos (11-3) at least an AFC wild-card berth. They lead the West by two games over San Diego, and will clinch the division with one more win or a Chargers loss. Cincinnati's 41-17 rout of Detroit moved the Bengals into the postseason for the first time in 15 years. Indianapolis and Seattle already were in.