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3 teams every New England Patriots fan should root against in Week 13

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Odafe Oweh #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates a fumble recovery in the second quarter during a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 28: Odafe Oweh #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates a fumble recovery in the second quarter during a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
NFL Week 13: Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

If you don’t know by now, the New England Patriots (8-4) have a big test against the Buffalo Bills (7-4) in Week 13 on Monday Night Football.

In this AFC East battle for first place in the division, the winner could come out as the top seed in the AFC while the losing team will be pushed back in the crowded race for an AFC Wild Card spot.

This is a prime spot for the Patriots, who are riding a six-game winning streak and once again looking like a top team in the conference. As 3-point underdogs, they ride into Buffalo to take on a Bills team who must be feeling some pressure with Bill Belichick and crew rising from the ashes to take over the AFC East once again.

The key to this game is obviously rallies around the quarterback position. Can Belichick solve Josh Allen and keep that dangerous Bills’ offense from exploding? How will rookie quarterback Mac Jones perform in a hostile environment with weather threatening to become a factor?

The New England Patriots will have a big advantage in the playoff race with a win

Whichever way this game goes, the Patriots will still find themselves in a good position heading into their bye week. With another game against the Bills at Gillette Stadium, the Pats will still have a chance to win the AFC East. As far as the No. 1 seed in the conference, a win would put the Patriots either on top or keep them a game behind depending on how other games in the AFC go in Week 13.

Win or lose, here are three teams every New England Patriots fans should be rooting against as the AFC playoff race starts to really get heated.

NFL Week 13: Los Angeles Chargers (6-5) vs Cincinnati Bengals (7-4)

While the Patriots feature the top rookie quarterback, this showdown between the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals feature two second-year quarterbacks trying to lead their teams to the playoffs.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals hold the edge here as 3-point favorites. Not only are they playing at home, but the offensive talent surrounding Burrow is a bigger advantage and challenge for the Chargers. It starts with running back Joe Mixon, who has been dominant on the ground all season long. Burrow also has outstanding rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and second year wide receiver Tee Higgins dominating on the outside.

Can the Chargers defense led by Joey Bosa keep the Bengals’ offense tamed? If not, it will be an offensive track meet as Justin Hebert isn’t too shabby himself.

While this game is advantage Bengals, root for the Chargers. The Patriots own the tiebreaker against the Chargers due to their head-to-head matchup and would remain ahead of them even with a loss to the Bills.  It would also keep them ahead of the Bengals in the wild card race as Cincinnati enters Week 13 a game behind the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.

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