NFL Analyst Thinks Patriots ‘Lost The AFC’ Due To Injury-Filled Win

With the New England Patriots having all but locked up a playoff berth, their main goal entering the final six weeks of the regular season should be to get healthy for the tournament.

ESPN national NFL analyst Ben Solak wrote on Tuesday that even if the Patriots’ slew of injured players return by the end of the season, they are unlikely to win the AFC.

“Big, big injury news out of New England. Defensive tackle Milton Williams was already down because of a high ankle sprain, and fellow defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (who has been an excellent role player) left Sunday’s game because of a chest injury,” Solak wrote. “Rookie LG Jared Wilson also has a high ankle sprain and is week-to-week; rookie LT Will Campbell has an MCL sprain and is out for a few weeks at least. Even if none of these injuries are season ending, it’s hard to see the Patriots keeping pace with the Broncos for the top seed in the AFC — and these players will likely be less than 100% when they return. The best playoff teams are often the healthiest, and that’s not New England after Sunday.”

It’s a bit presumptuous that none of Jared Wilson, Khyiris Tonga, Milton Williams and Will Campbell will be 100% by the time they return.

If New England takes care of business in Week 13 vs. the New York Giants, the team would almost have the AFC East wrapped up going into the Week 14 bye.

The Patriots may be able to afford being patient with some or all of the injured quartet if they have the division locked up going into easy Week 17 and 18 matchups (on paper) against the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, respectively.

Solak seems to be fairly confident that the Denver Broncos will clinch the No. 1 seed in the conference, but after games with the Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13 and 14, Bo Nix and company close with some tough opponents.

The Broncos host the Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars in Weeks 15 and 16, before facing the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day on the road and finishing the regular season at home vs. the Los Angeles Chargers.

Each of those four teams currently have winning records and the Chargers gave Denver its most recent loss, back in Week 3.