Denver Broncos hold the edge over the New England Patriots in the AFC standings due to tiebreaker advantages after both teams reached 13-3 records entering Week 18.

Tiebreaker Edge

The Broncos lead primarily through their superior record in games against common opponents, going 6-0 compared to the Patriots' 5-1.

A key Patriots loss to the Raiders earlier in the season flipped this metric, handing Denver the head-to-head advantage despite identical records.

This positions the Broncos as the current No. 1 seed, controlling their destiny for a first-round bye.

Week 18 Scenarios

Both teams play at 4:25 p.m. ET on January 4: Broncos host the Chargers, Patriots visit the Dolphins.

Patriots can claim the top seed only by winning and Broncos losing; Jaguars also loom as a threat with their earlier window game.

Broncos likely rest no one if chasing the bye, while Chargers may deprioritize amid wild-card irrelevance.

Key Season Moments

  • Broncos' 11-game win streak, fueled by QB Bo Nix comebacks like against the Eagles, propelled them atop the AFC.
  • Patriots shone on road (8-0), with Drake Maye throwing for 5 TDs in a 42-3 rout, but that Raiders defeat proved pivotal.
  • Recent Broncos defense dipped post-bye (21st in points per possession), vulnerable if pass rush falters vs. Chargers.

Team| Record| Common Opp.| Path to No. 1 Seed
---|---|---|---
Broncos| 13-3| 6-0| Win vs. Chargers 3
Patriots| 13-3| 5-1| Win + Broncos loss 5

TL;DR: Broncos ahead via tiebreakers; Week 18 decides AFC's top seed.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.