We are two weeks away from the 2023 Patriots season coming to a close, and at 4-11, it means the Patriots can start to look ahead to the 2024 NFL draft. Everything from the No.1 to the No.9 pick is on the table for New England.
If the Patriots lose out, they will be guaranteed a top-four selection, and if they lose one of their remaining game, they claim a top-seven draft pick.
So, with that being said, what needs to happen in Week 17 of the NFL season for the Patriots to rise on the draft board?
Here are all the games you should keep an eye on in Week 17. The Tankathon website helped to compile this rooting guide.
Saturday December 30th
Detroit Lions (11-4) at Dallas Cowboys (10-5): Go Cowboys! In this classic NFC match-up, Patriots fans should root for Cowboys to secure the home victory. A Cowboys win helps the Patriots strength of schedule (SOS) tiebreaker over the Commanders.
Sunday December 31st
New Orleans Saints (7-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7): Go Saints! The Patriots lost to the Saints 34-0 in Week 5 of the NFL season and since that matchup, the Saints have only won three games. With the Bucs fighting for a playoff spot, New Orleans will have a tall task ahead of them.
San Francisco 49ers (11-4) at Washington Commanders (4-11): Go Commanders! Besides the Patriots game, this match-up is the most important of the week for Patriots fans to watch. The Commanders and Patriots are virtually tied in SOS, which is how the NFL decides tiebreakers in the NFL draft order. Brock Purdy and the 49ers were embarrassed by the Ravens on Monday night, with Purdy throwing a career-high four interceptions. Chase Young returns to the FedEx field for the first time since the Commanders traded him two months ago. High-stakes game for all parties involved in Washington.
Arizona Cardinals (3-12) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-4): Go Cardinals! Another critical game to keep an eye on is this conference match-up. The Cardinals currently hold the No.2 overall pick and are in danger of sliding down the draft board if they beat the Eagles in Philly. The Patriots have a much better SOS over the Cardinals, so if the two teams tie, New England is all but guaranteed to hold the tiebreaker. A Cardinals upset could go a long way for the Patriots.
Los Angeles Rams (8-7) at New York Giants (5-10): Go Rams! Although this game doesn’t hold significant draft implications, a Rams victory will help the Patriots SOS. Plus, who wants to root for the Giants anyway?
Baltimore Ravens (11-3) at Miami Dolphins (12-4): Go Ravens! This game is another crucial game for the Patriots. The Patriots lost to the Dolphins twice this season for the second straight year. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens can claim the No.1 seed in the AFC with a victory in Miami. Something else to keep an eye on.
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Seattle Seahawks (8-7): Go Seahawks! The Patriots played the Steelers on Thursday night football two weeks ago and secured the victory. If the Patriots hadn’t won that game, they would be in serious contention for the No.1 pick. Either way, a Seahawks victory would help the Patriots draft position.
Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (9-5): Go Bengals! Who would have thought the Chiefs would own a 9-5 record with two weeks left in the 2023 season? That’s the type of year it’s been in the NFL this year. Anyway, you should root for the away team in this contest, with the Bengals coming in as slight underdogs to Kansas City.
New England Patriots (4-11) at Buffalo Bills (9-5): No comment… What’s sweeter than the Patriots knocking out a division rival from playoff contention? Let’s all root for a good game at Highmark Stadium.
The Patriots and Bills kick-off at 1:00 p.m. at High Mark Stadium
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
