Patriots fire coach Mayo, win over Bills costs New England No. 1 pick

The New England Patriots have fired coach Jerod Mayo after one season, beginning another reboot for the franchise just a year after it parted with longtime coach Bill Belichick.

Owner Robert Kraft announced the firing in a statement shortly after New England closed its 4-13 season with a 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills. Kraft called it "one of the hardest decisions" he's had to make.

A former Patriots linebacker who worked as an assistant under Belichick, Mayo started the season with a strong endorsement from Kraft. But he struggled to get the most out of a young roster that included rookie quarterback Drake Maye.

New England's win, combined with the Tennessee Titan's loss to Houston, gave this year's No. 1 pick to the 3-14 Titans.

The firing comes on a day the league's playoff picture became clear.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched the NFC South and the Washington Commanders locked up the NFC's No. 6 seed.

A 27-19 comeback victory over New Orleans for Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans and the Buccaneers secured the NFC's final playoff spot. The Denver Broncos were playing to lock up the AFC's last opening in Sunday's late afternoon schedule.

Tampa Bay's win eliminated Atlanta, which lost to Carolina in overtime. The Buccaneers will be the NFC's No. 3 seed if the Los Angeles Rams lose to Seattle. If the Rams win, they'll be the fourth seed.

The Commanders beat Dallas 23-19 behind backup quarterback Marcus Mariota's two touchdown passes. Washington will play either the Buccaneers or the Rams on the road in the wild-card round.

Green Bay, which lost 24-22 to Chicago, will be the seventh seed and visits No. 2 seed Philadelphia. The Eagles beat the Packers 34-29 in the season opener in Brazil.

The NFC North and the conference's