While the Patriots were enjoying their bye week, Week 14 went on and included some very exciting games, including two overtime thrillers.
At 9-4, New England remains in first place in the AFC thanks to its 7-1 conference record, but it has company at the top in the Titans and Chiefs.
The Patriots will travel to Indianapolis this coming Saturday night, which will be a huge game for both teams.
Here are five Patriots-related takeaways from Sunday’s action.
1. Division title could be clinched soon
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers held off the Bills, 33-27 in overtime, which helped the Patriots out in a big way. It was a terrific game that saw Buffalo overcome a 21-point deficit, but Brady found Breshad Perriman for a 58-yard walk-off touchdown in the extra session. The loss moved the Bills to 7-6 and two games behind the Patriots for first place in the AFC East. If New England wins next week against the Colts and the following week at home against Buffalo, it would clinch the division. A loss to the Bills could mean the division potentially could come down to the final week of the season when the Patriots travel to Miami.
2. It’s becoming clear who the top teams in AFC are
While the AFC is still bunched, three teams have separated themselves from the pack a bit — New England, Tennessee and Kansas City. All three teams are 9-4, but they are also hitting their strides. The Patriots have won seven in a row, but the Chiefs are right behind them winners of six straight. As for the Titans, they are getting some key players back from injury and it was reported Sunday Derrick Henry has a good chance of being back for the playoffs. It’s a pretty good bet one of these three teams will be representing the AFC in the Super Bowl and they will have a good battle the last four weeks when it comes to the No. 1 seed and who gets homefield advantage.
3. Lamar Jackson’s injury impacts entire playoff race
The Ravens (8-5) had a chance to join the Patriots, Titans and Chiefs at 9-4, but they fell to the Browns on Sunday in a game that saw Lamar Jackson suffer an ankle injury. It’s being called an ankle sprain, but more tests will be done on Monday. It seems likely he will miss some time and that’s good news for the rest of the AFC North. Cleveland (7-6), Cincinnati (7-6) and Pittsburgh (6-6-1) currently are not in the playoffs, but that could change quickly, especially if the Ravens drop a few games coming up.
4. Former Patriots QBs shine
Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo helped guide their teams to overtime wins. Obviously, Brady and the Bucs beat the Bills, while Garoppolo and his 49ers beat the Bengals on the road. Garoppolo threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns, including going 6-for-6 with 77 yards and a touchdown in overtime. Meanwhile, Brady threw for 363 yards and passed Drew Brees for the most completions in NFL history. He is now 33-3 all-time against Buffalo.
5. New England opens as underdogs vs. Indianapolis
According to BetOnline, the Patriots are 1.5-point underdogs next Saturday night in Indianapolis. While some Patriots fans are bothered by it, the Colts are a very good team and playing at home, which is usually worth three points when it comes to betting lines. They have won four of their last five games and six of their last eight to put themselves in a good position to make the postseason.
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