"Playoff scenarios are starting to come into focus across the league, and the Patriots have a chance to lose on Sunday even though they aren't playing. The unfortunate scenario seems likely to unfold, as the Broncos, who are at the top of the AFC West and currently the No. 2 in the AFC, face the Raiders this weekend, and a win would steal the No. 1 spot from the Patriots and clinch any tiebreaker against New England moving forward."
"Wha t the Patriots have accomplished this season is nothing short of impressive, particularly for a team that recorded a 4-13 record in back-to-back seasons and was projected to only maybe double their wins in 2025. They did that almost a month ago and have since become the first team to win 11 games this year, proving just how much work the Mike Vrabel regime put into making this a competitive team."
The Patriots enter their Week 14 bye after winning ten straight games and holding the top spot in the AFC. A Broncos win over the Raiders would move Denver ahead of New England for the No. 1 seed and secure a two-way tiebreaker based on a better record against common opponents, partly due to the Patriots' Week 1 loss. The Patriots reversed a recent 4-13 slide to become the first team to reach 11 wins this season under coach Mike Vrabel. The team now faces a more difficult path to a first-round bye if Denver prevails.
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