Going into their Week 18 game with the Dolphins, the Patriots were the No. 2 seed, with the chance of snatching the No. 1 seed and first-round bye from the Broncos if they lost to the Chargers at Mile High Stadium.
Because that seemed unlikely given that the Chargers were resting many of their starters, it was inevitable that Denver would come out the victor and hold onto the coveted top spot in the AFC playoff picture. And the Patriots' dominant win over the Dolphins means they will be just behind them at No. 2, and they now know who they'll face on Wild Card weekend.