COVID is impacting the final week of the regular season and thus could play a role in who the Patriots play in the playoffs.
The Bengals are dealing with a COVID outbreak, as according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, running back Joe Mixon tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and will be out Sunday vs. the Browns. This comes following S Vonn Bell, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, DE Trey Hendrickson, C Trey Hopkins and G Quinton Spain going on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday.
It's unclear whether those players will be able to play, and it's also worth mentioning it's not official whether or not Joe Burrow will be playing either following the Bengals clinching the AFC North on Sunday. Cleveland will be without Baker Mayfield since he will be having shoulder surgery. Case Keenum is expected to start.
[UPDATE 12:30 p.m]: Burrow told reporters he does not expect to play.
So, what does this mean for the Patriots?
If the Browns beat the Bengals, the Patriots beat the Dolphins and the Bills beat the Jets, then the Patriots would travel to Cincinnati on Wild Card Weekend. If the Bills and Patriots win and the Bengals win (and Kansas City beats Denver), then the Patriots would travel to Buffalo.
At this point, it seems like the better matchup for the Patriots would be playing the Bills, so they will be pulling for Cincinnati on Sunday.
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