Kansas City Chiefs: AFC Playoff Race Week 13
By Ben Almquist
AFC Playoffs: 2nd Seed
New England Patriots (10-2)
If the Kansas City Chiefs can regain control of the AFC West, their biggest remaining competition will be the New England Patriots. The Patriots remain the NFL’s only true current dynasty. However, the team suffered a big blow to their playoff hopes with tight end Rob Gronkowski going down for the year. That may change the playoff equation quite a bit.
The Patriots have a pretty firm lock on the AFC East, but their remaining road is a bit difficult. The Pats play the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos in back to back weeks. New England follows that up with a pretty easy game against the Jets before ending the regular season at Miami. If things fall apart for Belichick and company, that Week 17 match up could be key.
Until someone comes around and proves otherwise, the Patriots will always be the class of the NFL. Even in the years they don’t win the Super Bowl, New England finds some way to be involved in the championship picture. They have played in the last five AFC Championship games. This team hasn’t had a losing season since 2000.