The New England Patriots are in the playoff picture after six weeks of play this season.

ESPN has given the Patriots a 78 percent chance to make the playoffs and a 28 percent chance to win the AFC East as things currently stand.

New England enters Week 7 with a 4-2 record, positioning itself among the AFC's top contenders. The team has put together a promising start, giving themselves an opportunity to compete for a postseason berth while remaining in the hunt for the division title.

The Buffalo Bills currently sit ahead of New England in the AFC East standings with a 5-1 record, leaving the Patriots one game behind their division rivals. Closing that gap will be paramount for the Patriots as the season progresses in order to come out on top as the eventual winner.

They currently own the tiebreaker after beating the Bills in Week 4.

The Patriots' upcoming schedule begins with a Thursday night road game against the Chicago Bears, followed by a matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8. New England will then face the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions the following two weeks after that before entering a demanding stretch that includes games against Buffalo, Minnesota and Kansas City.

The results might significantly shape the Patriots' playoff outlook and their chances of capturing the AFC East.

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