Patriots Control Playoff Destiny After Raiders Lose To Chiefs
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots' grasp on the No. 1 seed in the AFC may be tenuous at best, but they are alone at the top of the conference after the Oakland Raiders lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 21-13 on Thursday Night Football. At 10-2, the Patriots can secure home-field advantage over the Chiefs and Raiders (both 10-3) by simply winning the rest of their games.
Of course, that won't be easy, with the Patriots' schedule still holding the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football and a road trip to face the Denver Broncos in Week 15. The Patriots have also never been consistently successful playing in Miami, where they go in Week 17. The Chiefs, meanwhile, close out their season with home games against Tennessee and Denver before heading to San Diego in Week 17.
The Patriots hold the upper hand over the Chiefs in terms of conference record and common opponents. The Pats are 7-1 against the AFC while the Chiefs are 7-2, and in common games they are 3-0 against Kansas City's 2-2. The Patriots would need to lose to both Denver and the Jets for common games to come into play against Kansas City. Ultimately, the Patriots certainly want to avoid having to travel to Kansas City for a potential AFC Championship Game.
Assuming the Patriots lose no more than one game for the rest of the season, their biggest threat for the No. 1 seed remains the Raiders, who hold the advantage in record against common opponents - they are 4-0 against the Patriots' 2-1. If the Patriots beat Baltimore and Denver and Oakland loses to the Broncos in Week 17, which would tie them in common games, the Patriots could still lose the No. 1 seed if they have an untimely hiccup against the Jets or Dolphins.
If this all sounds complicated to you, don't be alarmed - it is quite complicated. The Patriots, Chiefs, and Raiders could end up going four or five items down the list of tiebreakers to determine home-field advantage. Strength of victory and strength of schedule could ultimately be the tiebreaker; this would give the advantage to the Chiefs and Raiders over the Patriots, who play the Jets (3-9) twice and have faced the 49ers (1-11) and Rams (4-8).
But, all that only comes into play for the Patriots if they don't win the rest of their games. Fortunately for them, they are now in the driver's seat in the AFC and can secure home-field by simply taking care of their own business.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
