The New England Patriots stand at 12-3 and are currently still in the driver's seat of the AFC. With a game to go against the hapless Miami Dolphins, the goal for the Patriots is to win homefield advantage in the final week of the regular season.
The Patriots face the Dolphins in Miami, the Broncos host the Chargers, and the Bengals host the Ravens. Here's how it plays out.
Patriots Win, Broncos Win, Bengals Win: Patriots claim homefield advantage with a 13-3 final record, Broncos claim a first round bye with a 12-4 tiebreaker over the Bengals.
Patriots Win, Broncos Win, Bengals Lose: The Patriots claim homefield advantage, with the Broncos are the clearcut 12-4 2nd seed. Bengals finish the season as the 3rd seed at 11-5.
Patriots Win, Broncos Lose, Bengals Win: Patriots claim homefield advantage, while the Bengals earn the 2nd seed with a 12-4 record. The Broncos would be in jeopardy of losing the AFC West if the Chiefs win; Denver would also be the 6th seed if the Jets defeat the Bills.
Patriots Win, Broncos Lose, Bengals Lose: Patriots claim homefield advantage, while the Bengals and Broncos seeds with hinge upon the Chiefs. A Kansas City victory hands the West to the Chiefs, where the Bengals hold the tiebreaker and would earn the 2nd seed. A Kansas City defeat backs the Broncos into the division title, where the Broncos hold the tiebreaker and would earn the 2nd seed.
Patriots Lose, Broncos Win, Bengals Win: The Broncos would claim the 1st seed with a three-way tiebreaker over the Patriots and Bengals, while the Patriots have the tiebreaker over the Bengals and would be the 2nd seed.
Patriots Lose, Broncos Win, Bengals Lose: The Broncos would be the 1st seed over the Patriots, while the Bengals would be the 3rd seed. Patriots would finish as the 2nd seed.
Patriots Lose, Broncos Lose, Bengals Win: The Patriots would finish as the 1st seed with a tiebreaker over the 2nd seed Bengals. The Broncos would be in jeopardy of losing the AFC West for the aforementioned reasons.
Patriots Lose, Broncos Lose, Bengals Lose: The Patriots win the 1st seed, while the fate of the Broncos and Bengals would be in the hands of the Chiefs. Denver could finish as the 6th seed, or the 2nd seed. The Bengals will finish either 2nd or 3rd.