The Patriots might be on their bye this week, but there is a lot they might want to pay attention to in the slate of games this Sunday. The main thing, of course, is which teams emerge as winners and losers in Week 14, many of whom can dictate where the Patriots end up in the 2025 NFL Draft order.
Because the season hasn't gone well, focusing on the draft is something to look forward to and now something to root against teams for. The more wins the teams ahead of the Patriots rack up over the next five weeks, the closer to the top spot they'll get, especially since New England has a tough road ahead of them to finish the year.
Although some might feel it's too early to look ahead to next April, that's where the team is heading at this point of the season. The positions of need are apparent, and they are projected to have a top-5 pick, so their options are just as obvious. So rooting for and against teams more than just because they're divisional rivals is how fans might spend the rest of the season.
There are a lot of games on Sunday that can move the Patriots up in the draft order if they go their way. Here is who their fans should be cheering for this weekend.
The teams Patriots fans should be rooting for in Week 14
The games with the biggest implications for the Patriots this week:
New Orleans Saints (4-8) vs. New York Giants (2-10)
It's never easy to root for a team like the Giants, given their history with the Patriots, but it makes the most sense in this situation, given their similar record to New England. New York currently holds the third overall pick, so it's right ahead of the Patriots, so a win helps move them ahead of their longtime rival.
Who to root for: Giants
Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)
The same situation applies to this game between the Raiders and the Bucs. Las Vegas is currently in place with the second pick of the first round, so a win puts the Patriots ahead of them in the draft order.
Who to root for: Raiders
Carolina Panthers (3-9) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10-3)
Although it might be one of the more unlikely results of the week, it would be beneficial for the Panthers to somehow find a way to beat the very favored Eagles. They're just one spot behind the Patriots, so a Carolina win could move them ahead in the draft order.
Who to root for: Panthers
Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) vs. Tennessee Titans (3-9)
For the third time since 2021, the Jaguars are on the board for the first overall pick. That means if they beat the Titans, it would be a massive plus for the Patriots, as they would have a tied record. But Jacksonville beat them earlier this season, meaning New England would be ahead of them.
The Titans winning wouldn't be too bad either, as that would create a bit of cushion for the Patriots for the next week, at the very least.
Who to root for: Either would be fine
New York Jets (3-9) vs. Miami Dolphins (5-7)
The Jets are in the same situation as the Titans for the Patriots this week, meaning a win by New York would create more space for the Patriots to maintain their draft positioning a bit longer.
Who to root for: Jets
Cleveland Browns (3-9) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3)
The Patriots are currently four spots ahead of the Browns in the draft order, so the result of this game isn't as crucial as some others. However, another Cleveland loss would narrow New England's edge over them, as they would have the same record. So, figuring out a way to beat the Steelers would be best.
Who to root for: Browns
Buffalo Bills (10-2) vs. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
This might be the easiest game of the week to have fans tuned in because it's certainly not difficult to root against the Bills.
Because the Patriots play Buffalo twice over the final four weeks of the year, a Rams win ultimately helps the Patriots strength of schedule.
Who to root for: Rams
Rooting against the teams the Patriots have already faced or will face this season:
- Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)
- Chicago Bears (4-8) vs. San Francisco 49ers (5-7)
- Seattle Seahawks (7-5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
- Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)
So root for the Chiefs, 49ers, Cowboys and either the Seahawks or Cardinals.