The New England Patriots aren’t in playoff peril, but their loss to the Houston Texans has absolutely complicated their path to home-field advantage and a first-round bye.
With the Ravens getting a win over the San Francisco 49ers and the Patriots falling in Houston, Baltimore has overtaken the Patriots as the top seed in the AFC for Week 14. The Ravens have the same record as the Patriots, but have a head-to-head win over the Patriots. And not only did the Baltimore win put it past New England in the standings, but that win further reinforces what was becoming clear in Week 9: the Ravens are the best team in the NFL. No one knows how to stop quarterback Lamar Jackson. And the Patriots will probably need home-field advantage to beat the Ravens, if they match up in the playoffs.
Here’s a look at the standings in the AFC after Week 13.
1. Baltimore Ravens (10-2)
2. New England Patriots (10-2)
3. Houston Texans (8-4)
4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)
5. Buffalo Bills (9-3)
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5)
The Patriots have more to worry about than the No. 1 seed. They have an appointment against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium in Week 14. Kansas City seemed to get its mojo back in Week 13 against the Oakland Raiders. Patrick Mahomes wasn’t brilliant, but the Chiefs won, 40-6. They didn’t even need Mahomes to be exceptional.
If the Patriots lose against the Chiefs and the Bills win in Week 14, that could would give the AFC East rivals the same record. New England has a tie-breaker with a head-to-head win over Buffalo, which would allow the Patriots to retain their spot as the No. 2 seed. But it would also set up a significant matchup between the Patriots and the Bills in Week 16.
The Patriots looked vulnerable on the road in Week 13. The will need to preserve home-field advantage for as long as possible. And a win over the Chiefs could go a long way in maintaining their lead in the playoff hunt in the AFC.
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