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New England Patriots: What to root for in Week 16

By Patrick Morgan

<> at New Era Field on October 29, 2018 in Buffalo, New York.
<> at New Era Field on October 29, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. /
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2. If New England wants their bye back, then the Eagles need to win.

HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 02: Darren Sproles #43 of the Philadelphia Eagles breaks a tackle attempt by J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on November 2, 2014 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – NOVEMBER 02: Darren Sproles #43 of the Philadelphia Eagles breaks a tackle attempt by J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on November 2, 2014 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Many Patriots fans still haven’t forgotten or forgiven Eagles fans for the incessant amount of gloating that accompanied Philadelphia’s win over New England in last year’s Super Bowl.

It’s as if Philly fans suddenly forgot the head-to-record record on the game’s greatest stage is now even at 1-1 between these two historic franchises.

No matter. Nick Foles can atone for the Philly Special on Sunday by killing two birds with one stone: a win over the Houston Texans not only improves his own team’s playoff chances, but it also vaults the Patriots back into the No. 2 seed in the AFC.

Currently, the Texans boast a 10-4 record. Should that number drop to 10-5 and the Patriots take care of business at home against the Bills, both teams would have identical records. New England wins the tiebreaker though due to their Week 1 victory over the Texans at Gillette.

If the fifth and fourth scenarios listed above were the most unlikely, this scenario is probably the most likely, along with the third scenario just listed. Nothing would make New Englanders more happy than a win over Buffalo coupled with losses by the Steelers and the Texans to the Saints and Eagles, respectively.

Nothing, that is, except to see a division rival fall while guaranteeing the Pats a playoff berth and AFC East championship in doing so… which would happen if:

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