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New England Patriots: What to root for in Week 17

By Patrick Morgan

New England Patriots, Tom Brady (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
New England Patriots, Tom Brady (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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3. The Los Angeles Chargers could finish 12-4 or 11-5 and still be just the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs.

CARSON, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Tyrell Williams #16 of the Los Angeles Chargers takes a hit form Darian Stewart #26 of the Denver Broncos, after his catch for a first down, as Bradley Roby #29 looks on during the third quarter at StubHub Center on November 18, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Tyrell Williams #16 of the Los Angeles Chargers takes a hit form Darian Stewart #26 of the Denver Broncos, after his catch for a first down, as Bradley Roby #29 looks on during the third quarter at StubHub Center on November 18, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

The Denver Broncos are no longer a playoff contender, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to roll over just yet.

Head coach Vance Joseph is firmly on the hot seat after another subpar season in Colorado. A 5-11 record as a first-year coach is one thing; following it with a 6-10 record won’t qualify as progress – not for the Broncos that is.

This is a proud franchise and a rabid fanbase that isn’t used to missing the playoffs three years in a row, so it’s a safe bet that Joseph and his players will be plenty-motivated to try and get to 7-9 on the season.

While the odds of the Patriots rising as high as the No. 1 seed are slim at best, a Chargers slip-up at raucous Mile High Stadium would go a long way toward improving those odds.

Not only would it lock Los Angeles into a Wild Card spot as the No. 5 seed – it also would most likely set the stage for a playoff game next weekend between the Chargers and either the Ravens or the Steelers. Either one of those matchups bodes well for the Patriots, as both scenarios involve one of the AFC’s most dangerous teams going down before New England even takes the field again.

Of course, the top seed and home-field advantage are only attainable with a Patriots win, a Chargers loss, and one other result unfolding Sunday…

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