"Considering the other option was facing the Bills for a third time, this might be the best-case scenario, even if Chargers fans were hoping for this reality, too. With Denver on the verge of beating the Chargers, the AFC playoff seeding and wild-card matchups will look like this:🏈 No. 1 Broncos (bye) 🏈 No. 7 Chargers at No. 2 Patriots 🏈 No. 6 Bills at No. 3 Jaguars 🏈 No. 5 Texans at No. 4 Ravens/Steelers winner- Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 5, 2026"
"It was one of the final games of the 2024 season, with the Patriots losing 7-40, and having to stomach watching wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who many felt they should have drafted, put up big numbers against them on their home field. This is a different team, though, with Mike Vrabel taking over and helping to lead the Patriots to a 14-3 record, after back-to-back seasons with just four wins."
The Patriots finished as the AFC No. 2 seed after a dominant win over the Dolphins and will host the Los Angeles Chargers in the Wild Card round. The Broncos retained the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye after the Chargers rested starters and lost at Mile High. The Chargers fell to No. 7 while the Bills secured No. 6; the Bills will visit the Jaguars. The AFC matchups are set, and the Patriots must correct mistakes to avoid being one-and-done despite a 14-3 turnaround under Mike Vrabel.
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