We're No 2, or could be....

Pacing Sports Guy, I don't think the Patriots are locked into the #4. Looking at the standings and the schedules of the Pats, Steelers, Bengals, and Broncos, we have a good shot at the 3 slot, and a definite chance to be the second seed and thus earning a first-round bye. This Sunday's game against Kansas City is the only tough game remaining on the Pats schedule (I know I sometimes use the third-person and sometimes the first-person plural; so sue me). If we win out and this week Indy beats the Steelers and Dallas defeats the Broncos, we're tied with Pittsburgh, one game behind Cincy and Denver. Then Pittsburgh beats Cincy and KC beats Denver next week, and it's a four-way tie at 8-4. This is a realistic scenario, and if it plays out we're in good position to capture that #2 slot. Denver does own a tiebreaker over us, but we have one over Pittsburgh. Of course, I wouldn't make a straight bet on this happening, but it is most definitely possible. This week's game is crucial.