The New England Patriots don’t play until later, but there are plenty of important games taking place in the 1:00 PM ET time slot. Here’s your rooting guide!
1:00 PM ET
(7-6) Miami Dolphins at (6-6-1) Minnesota Vikings: The Patriots want the Dolphins to lose in order to help secure the AFC East.
(5-8) Detroit Lions at (4-9) Buffalo Bills: The Patriots want the Bills to win to hurt their draft stock and because New England owns the Lions third round pick in 2019.
(5-8) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at (7-6) Baltimore Ravens: The Patriots want the Buccaneers to win to push the Ravens out of the playoff picture.
(8-5) Dallas Cowboys at (7-6) Indianapolis Colts: The Patriots want the Cowboys to win to push the Colts out of the playoff picture.
(7-6) Tennessee Titans at (5-8) New York Giants: The Patriots want the Giants to win to push the Titans out of the playoff picture.
(3-10) Oakland Raiders at (5-8) Cincinnati Bengals: The Patriots want the Bengals to win to keep the Raiders ahead of the Bills and Jets in draft rankings.
(6-7) Washington at (4-9) Jacksonville Jaguars: The Patriots want Washington to win to keep the Jaguars ahead of the Bills and Jets in draft rankings.
(3-10) Cardinals at (4-9) Atlanta Falcons: The Patriots want the Cardinals to win so both teams will be 4-10 and in good position to finish ahead of the Bills and Jets in draft rankings.
Use this as the open thread for discussion.