Why Broncos-Raiders Week 14 Matchup Could Prove Pivotal To Patriots

It would benefit the Patriots if the Broncos lost in Week 14.

That’s rather obvious, right?

New England entered its bye week as the only 11-win team in the NFL, and Denver would match that win total if it claimed a victory against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Overall records are most impactful when it comes to playoff seeding, of course, but should two teams have the same regular-season record, a series of official tiebreakers then will factor in. After head-to-head results — the Patriots and Broncos haven’t and will not play this season — comes conference record and results against common opponents.

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Given the Patriots lost to the Raiders in Week 1, Denver’s matchup in Sin City carries a little more weight. Denver beat Las Vegas in the divisional matchup in Week 10.

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“If Denver beats Las Vegas today, the Broncos can clinch any two-way tiebreaker with New England for playoff seeding based on better record against common opponents,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted on X on Sunday morning.

Denver can’t clinch a playoff spot today, but it can clinch something of significance. If Denver beats Las Vegas today, the Broncos clinch any two-way tiebreaker with New England for playoff seeding based on better record against common opponents. The Patriots lost in Week 1 to…

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 7, 2025

Other common opponents for the Patriots and Raiders include the Titans, Bengals, Jets and Giants.

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The Patriots and Broncos both beat the Titans, Bengals, Jets and Giants. New England is set to face the Jets again in Week 17.