Patriots’ Chances Of AFC’s No. 1 Seed Take Brutal Hit With Chargers News
Bad news for the Patriots
The New England Patriots need to beat the Miami Dolphins in Week 18 and have the Denver Broncos fall to the Los Angeles Chargers in order to earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said on Monday that he plans on playing his starters on Sunday, but with a playoff berth locked up and the AFC West out of reach, Chargers leader Jim Harbaugh is going in the opposite direction.
Harbaugh said on Monday that Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert won’t be suiting up for Week 18 against the Broncos.
“Justin Herbert will not start for the Chargers in Week 18, Jim Harbaugh says,” senior NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic posted on Bluesky. “The Chargers will rest their QB.”
That’s bad news for New England.
The downgrade from Herbert to backup Trey Lance is massive and gives the Broncos a great chance at the victory and lone first-round bye.
Of course, anything can happen, but it looks like Patriots fans may have to settle for the division crown and likely No. 2 seed in the AFC.
