The Patriots have already clinched both a playoff berth and the AFC East entering the final week of the 2025 NFL regular season.
Still, New England has something to play for on Sunday evening against the Dolphins, as the No. 1 seed in the AFC has yet to be determined.
New England — currently holding court as the No. 2 seed in the conference — does need a lot to go its way in Week 18 in order to take that top seed.
Not only do the Patriots have to beat Miami at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, but they’re also going to need help out west, as the Chargers must beat the Broncos in Denver in order to knock the Broncos out of that No.