The New England Patriots enjoyed a week off in Week 14 of the NFL season, the last week of the season in which any teams to be awarded their bye weeks by the league’s schedule-makers. New England entered the bye riding a 10-game winning streak, the longest in the NFL, so their down time was well-earned.
Now, for the Patriots and every other team, the final four weeks of the 2025 season are fully booked â and for most of the teams in the NFL, the upcoming games are extremely important.
But coming out of their bye week and facing their most important game of the season coming up on Sunday, the Patriots received a troubling update on their playoff prospects. The disturbing news came thanks to several developments on Sunday but most of all, to the Denver Broncos’ 24-17 road victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
The win gave the Broncos a 10-game win streak, equalling the Patriots’ run and knocking New England off of that particular perch. But the unfortunate implications of the Broncos’ victory go far beyond the competition to see who can win the most games in a row.
What the Broncos’ Win Means For New England
By defeating the hapless, 2-11 Raiders, who have already been eliminated from the race to make the playoffs, Denver raised its record to 11-2. That record ties the Patriots atop the AFC. But due to NFL rules, the Broncos also knocked the Patriots out of the No. 1 position in the conference.
Finishing in first place in the AFC, as in the NFC, grants a team another bye week in the first round of the postseason. In other words, while the teams in seeding positions 2-6 battle it out, the top seed takes the week off to rest and heal.
That is time the banged-up Patriots will sorely need. Both veteran defensive end Milton Williams and rookie No. 4 overall draft pick Will Campbell, an offensive tackle, will be eligible to come off the injured reserve list for the final week of the season, but whether they play in Week 18 or not, both would benefit from an extra week to heal before the Patriots play their first playoff game.
The Patriots also have several other injured players, including offensive guard Jared Wilson, All-Pro special-teamer Brenden Schooler, and defensive tackle Khiris Tonga.
Patriotsâ Chances at Top Seed Take a Hit
The Broncos took over the top spot in the AFC because they hold two important tiebreakers over the Patriots.
The first, won-loss record against conference opponents, is something that could change. With four games remaining, the Broncos stand at 7-2 against the AFC. The Patriots, 6-2. But New England’s remaining four games all come against AFC teams. The Broncos face only three AFC teams.
But the most troubling news comes in the second tiebreaker category. In that tiebreaker, won-loss record against common opponents, the Broncos clinched a better record with their win over Las Vegas.
Denver Won Crucial Tiebreaker as Patriots Sat Idle
Sunday’s win took Denver to 5-0 against common opponents â that is, teams that each team has faced. The Patriots lost their opening game of the season 20-13 to none other than those same Raiders.
In the Broncos’ final four games, they do not play any team that the Patriots have played, or will play, meaning that their undefeated record against common opponents cannot be bested.
With both teams at 11-2 heading out of the Patriots’ bye and into the season’s final four weeks, New England’s only chance to secure the top seed in the AFC, and the much-needed playoff bye week that goes with it, is simple.
They must win at least one more game than the Broncos do.
The Patriots take on the Buffalo Bills in Week 15. A win in that game clinches the AFC East for New England, but they will still be left rooting for a Denver loss to grab that top playoff position.
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