"The Patriots won't be taking the field in Week 14, but across the NFL there are plenty of important matchups that could affect the playoff picture in the AFC. New England is a virtual lock to make the playoffs and is in the driver's seat to earn the AFC's No. 1 seed and a first round bye. But the playoff field around it could shift dramatically based on the outcomes of every game down the stretch, beginning with a few loaded AFC matchups on Sunday."
"They're still in the hunt to win the AFC East, and could certainly be a team the Patriots see in the postseason. On top of that, New England will host the Bills in Foxborough in Week 15, making their week 14 matchup all the more compelling. The Patriots already hold wins over both the Bills and the Bengals, but if Cincinnati hands Buffalo a loss Sunday, it would make the race for the AFC East even more lopsided."
"Both the Chiefs and Texans are on the playoff bubble heading into Week 14. Houston is 7-5 and is still within striking distance of the Colts and Jaguars in the AFC South. The Chiefs at 6-6, though, will need to go 5-0 or 4-1 to have any realistic chance of making the playoffs. If Kansas City does get in, they'd arguably be the most dangerous No. 7 seed for New England to face, given their above-average defense and major advantage in postseason experience."
The New England Patriots are idle in Week 14 but sit as a near-lock for the playoffs and are positioned for the AFC's No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. Several AFC games this week could alter seeding, wild-card teams, and potential postseason matchups. Bills vs. Bengals matters because Buffalo remains in the AFC East race, New England hosts Buffalo in Week 15, and a Cincinnati win would widen the division gap. Chiefs vs. Texans matters because Houston (7-5) and Kansas City (6-6) are on the playoff bubble, and a Chiefs entry would present a dangerous, experienced No. 7 seed.
Read at Boston.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]