There are nine teams averaging more than 25 points per game this year, the Patriots have faced exactly one of them (The Bills). There are 13 defenses in the NFL giving up less than 22 points per game and the Patriots have faced ZERO of them. I think what I'm trying to say here is that the Patriots haven't really been tested.

The NFL has flexed the Week 16 Sunday night game between the Bengals and Dolphins out of prime time. It will be replaced by the Patriots at Ravens game. The Bengals-Dolphins game has moved to 1:00 p.m. ET.

1st – Ralph Vacchiano (FOX Sports): The Pats preserved their top spot and their 10-game winning streak through their bye week. Now they can clinch their first AFC East title since 2019 with a win at home on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. [nc]

The Patriots are going to need help from the Denver Broncos' remaining opponents in order to overtake them for the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

The New England Patriots are one of the top teams in the league, so NFL executives want to see them on primetime once again. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero r

Meanwhile, both the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos leapt to the No. 1 seed in their respective conference thanks to the events of Week 14. Of course, the season-ending Achilles injury to Colts quarterback Daniel Jones also has ramifications that'll also help reshape the postseason from here on out.

Patriots-Ravens was picked as the flex in a week that has a number of other big games. Significant matchups around the league that week also include the Packers at the Bears, Jaguars at the Broncos, and Buccaneers at the Panthers (there's also a Rams-Seahawks matchup, but that is already in primetime as Thursday Night Football).