How the Patriots can get AFC No. 1 seed, first-round bye in Week 18 playoff scenarios

Billy Heyen

How the Patriots can get AFC No. 1 seed, first-round bye in Week 18 playoff scenarios image

The New England Patriots are already AFC East Division champions.

In Week 18, though, there's still a lot for the Pats to play for.

New England enters the regular season finale with a 13-3 record and as the No. 2 seed in the conference, but there's a chance to get the top spot. 

The No. 1 seed is the only one that gets a first-round bye, and it also comes with home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.

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How can the Patriots get the AFC No. 1 seed?

It's a simple combo here: The Patriots win, and the Broncos lose.

If that happens, New England is the top seed.

If Denver wins, then New England has to settle for the No. 2 spot.

The Broncos will have an advantage in their game on Sunday, because they oppose a Chargers team that is sitting Justin Herbert and starting backup QB Trey Lance.

The Patriots are favored to win, too, against the Dolphins and rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers.

If they end up with the same record, the Broncos win the tiebreaker thanks to common opponent record (Denver 2-0 vs. Raiders, Patriots lost to Raiders in Week 1).

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Contributing Writer