Patriots’ Path to AFC No. 1 Seed in Week 18 Revealed
The New England Patriots have solidified their status as AFC East champions and are heading into the postseason. However, their playoff position remains uncertain as they approach Week 18. The Patriots secured their division title after a decisive 42-10 victory against the New York Jets. They also benefited from the Philadelphia Eagles’ narrow 13-12 win over the Buffalo Bills. Currently, with a record of 13-3, the Patriots still have a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Patriots’ Path to AFC No. 1 Seed
To reach the top seed, the Patriots must achieve two crucial outcomes. First, they need to defeat the Miami Dolphins in their upcoming match. Second, they require the Denver Broncos to lose against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, this scenario poses challenges. The Broncos may field their starters to pursue the No. 1 seed, while the Chargers might choose to rest players as they only seek wild-card positioning.
Possible Playoff Scenarios for the Patriots
The Patriots have three potential scenarios that will determine their seeding:
- Top Seed: A win against the Dolphins combined with a Broncos loss.
- No. 2 Seed: A victory over the Dolphins coupled with a Broncos win.
- No. 3 Seed: A loss to the Dolphins and a win for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The opponent in the first playoff round will hinge on the outcomes of games involving teams such as the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, Jaguars, and Chargers.
Week 18 Matchup Details
The NFL has scheduled the Patriots’ final regular-season game for Sunday at 4:25 p.m., to be broadcast on FOX. They will host the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium, marking a significant match for their playoff aspirations.
