5 intriguing NFL matchups to look at throughout Patriots bye week

A number of video games on Sunday will carry main playoff implications within the AFC.

The Chiefs’ playoff hopes might shift dramatically this week. (AP Picture/Tony Gutierrez)

The Patriots received’t be taking the sector in Week 14, however throughout the NFL there are many vital matchups that would have an effect on the playoff image within the AFC.

New England is a digital lock to make the playoffs and is within the driver’s seat to earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a primary spherical bye. However the playoff area round it might shift dramatically primarily based on the outcomes of each sport down the stretch, starting with a couple of loaded AFC matchups on Sunday.

Listed below are 5 key matchups for Patriots followers to look at in Week 14:

Payments vs. Bengals, 1 p.m.

There are apparent the explanation why the Payments are a key group to look at on Sunday. They’re nonetheless within the hunt to win the AFC East, and will actually be a group the Patriots see within the postseason. On high of that, New England will host the Payments in Foxborough in Week 15, making their week 14 matchup all of the extra compelling.

The Patriots already maintain wins over each the Payments and the Bengals, but when Cincinnati fingers Buffalo a loss Sunday, it could make the race for the AFC East much more lopsided. Whatever the end result of that sport although, New England can assure an AFC East crown with a win over the Payments in Week 15.

Nonetheless, Payments-Bengals can be precursor to the AFC East matchup that awaits.

Chiefs vs. Texans, 8:20 p.m.

If the Patriots find yourself shedding out on the No. 1 seed within the AFC, this sport might go a good distance in direction of figuring out their wildcard matchup.

Each the Chiefs and Texans are on the playoff bubble heading into Week 14. Houston is 7-5 and remains to be inside hanging distance of the Colts and Jaguars within the AFC South. The Chiefs at 6-6, although, might want to go 5-0 or 4-1 to have any real looking probability of creating the playoffs.

If Kansas Metropolis does get in, they’d arguably be probably the most harmful No. 7 seed for New England to face, given their above-average protection and main benefit in postseason expertise. So Patriots followers is likely to be rooting for a Texans upset on Sunday Night time Soccer to place the Chiefs in a extra precarious place concerning their odds to make the playoffs.

Ravens vs. Steelers, 1 p.m.

The Ravens-Steelers matchup might decide which group goes on to win the AFC North, given each groups sit at 6-6 heading into their convention conflict.

New England may even see Baltimore in Week 16, so Patriots followers might get a take a look at what Vrabel and Maye can be up in opposition to in one of many tougher remaining video games on their schedule.

The AFC North presently has just one projected playoff group, so this matchup wouldn’t have main implications on who New England may play within the first spherical. But when the Patriots safe the primary spherical bye, the AFC North winner might wind up being their divisional spherical foe.

Jaguars vs. Colts, 1 p.m.

Equally to the Ravens and Steelers matchup, the Colts and Jaguars can be battling for a bonus over the opposite to win the AFC South.

The Colts began out pink sizzling, however are driving a two sport shedding streak that put each Jacksonville and Houston again within the combine to win the division. The Colts and Jaguars are each 8-4 and have but to play one another, so the head-to-head matchups will go a good distance in direction of figuring out who wins the division.

For the Patriots, whoever wins the AFC South could be a possible divisional spherical matchup. And for the reason that AFC South is projected to have two playoff spots, the second place group is likely to be within the combine as a wildcard opponent for New England. Both approach, each the Jaguars and Colts are groups to look at down the stretch.

Raiders vs. Broncos, 4 p.m.

The Broncos have harder video games remaining on their schedule, however each matchup from right here on out could have implications for the No. 1 seed within the AFC.

Denver and New England have one of the best information within the AFC by a considerable sufficient margin to name the convention a two-horse race. So, if the Raiders upset the Broncos on Sunday, that might be a serious enhance to the Patriots’ odds to earn the playoff bye.