Buffalo's loss to Jacksonville enabled the Patriots to clinch their fifth consecutive AFC East title before they'd even taken the field for tonight's game against Philadelphia . . . and, indeed, before many of the players had even arrived at Gillette Stadium.

The Pats tied the earliest division clinch since the NFL established the 16-game regulat-season schedule in 1978. Three teams also clinched their division during the weekend of the 11th game since '78 -- the 1985 Bears, the 1997 49ers and the 2004 Eagles.

No team in history had ever won five straight AFL/AFC East titles prior to this year.

The Pats now won have 11 division titles in their history -- 1963, 1978, 1986, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. They also made the playoffs as a wild-card in 1976, 1982, 1985, 1994 and 1998.