The New England Patriots have punched their ticket to the postseason after Week 16, and while the door’s still open for the AFC’s top seed and the coveted first-round bye, they’re currently slotted as the No. 2 seed-putting them on track to host a wild-card matchup at Gillette Stadium.
Now the big question: who do they want to see walk through that door?
A panel of five analysts weighed in on the best and worst possible first-round matchups for the Patriots, and there was one clear consensus-Buffalo is the team to avoid. The Bills, despite their up-and-down season, are still a dangerous draw, and no one in Foxborough is eager to see them in Round 1.
Interestingly, it’s not Josh Allen-the reigning MVP and perennial Patriots headache-who’s seen as the biggest threat. It’s James Cook, the versatile running back who’s quietly become one of the most explosive weapons in the league.
Cook may not get the same spotlight as Allen, but make no mistake: he’s got game-changing ability. Just ask the Patriots defense, which saw it firsthand in Week 15.
Cook torched New England for three total touchdowns-two rushing, one receiving-and racked up 107 yards on 22 carries. That performance was a major reason the Bills pulled off a 35-31 comeback win in that game.
And that wasn’t just a hot night for Cook. It was a reminder of what he brings to the table when he’s fully unleashed: speed, vision, and the ability to break a game wide open in multiple ways. If the Patriots draw Buffalo in the wild-card round, containing Cook will be priority one.
Of course, the Bills aren’t a one-man show. They’ve won at least one playoff game in each of the last five seasons, and as long as Allen and Cook are healthy, they’re a tough out. But it’s Cook’s emergence that adds a new wrinkle to what’s already a complex challenge.
On the flip side, several analysts pointed to the Los Angeles Chargers as the most favorable matchup for New England. Three of the five experts leaned toward L.A. as the ideal first-round opponent, citing the Chargers’ inconsistency, injury woes, and lack of playoff pedigree.
That said, the Patriots aren’t in a position to take anyone lightly. The AFC is a minefield this year, and even teams with shaky records can pose serious problems if they get hot at the right time.
Still, when you stack up the options, Buffalo looms large as the one team New England would rather not see in that opening round. Cook’s Week 15 performance wasn’t just a warning shot-it was a statement. If the rematch happens in January, the Patriots will need a much better answer for him.
For now, the focus remains on finishing strong and possibly climbing into that top seed. But if the standings hold and the wild-card round comes to Foxborough, the matchup could dictate how far this Patriots team can go.