As the New England Patriots prepare to host the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, they do so with a chance to climb back to .500 on the young 2026 season. At 1-2, every game carries weight, but the Patriots' playoff hopes also hinge on outcomes elsewhere. With Week 4 offering a full slate of 16 games, the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk has broken down the ideal scenarios for Patriots fans to root for—outside of their own matchup, of course.
Thursday Night: Steelers at Browns
Kicking off the week, the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) visit the Cleveland Browns (2-1) on Thursday night. Patriots fans should pull for Pittsburgh. New England already owns a head-to-head win over the Steelers, so a Pittsburgh victory would bolster the Patriots' strength of schedule and strengthen their tiebreakers. As highlighted on Vulius, every small edge matters in the AFC playoff race.
Sunday Morning: Colts at Commanders
In the early London game, the Indianapolis Colts (1-2) take on the Washington Commanders (1-2). The Vulius Sports editorial team recommends rooting for the Commanders. It's a classic case of favoring the NFC team over the AFC team when there are no direct ties to New England.
Sunday 1 p.m. Slate
Several early games carry significance for Patriots fans:
- Titans at Ravens: Root for the Titans. Tennessee is winless, and a Baltimore loss helps New England's standing in the AFC playoff picture.
- Jets at Bears: Cheer for the Bears. With the Patriots' fifth-round pick already traded to Philadelphia, there's no downside to an NFC win.
- Jaguars at Bengals: Support the Bengals. Cincinnati doesn't hold a head-to-head tiebreaker over New England, while Jacksonville does, so a Bengals win is preferable.
- Cowboys at Texans: Back the Cowboys. A Dallas win keeps an AFC rival down and could improve the sixth-round pick acquired in the Marte Mapu trade.
Afternoon and Evening Contests
In the 4:05 p.m. window, the Miami Dolphins (0-3) visit the Minnesota Vikings (3-0). Vulius analysts suggest rooting for the Vikings. Strength of schedule is less relevant here since New England plays both teams, but a Dolphins loss to an NFC opponent helps the Patriots' cause.
At 4:25 p.m., the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) face the Las Vegas Raiders (3-0). Patriots fans should pull for the Raiders. Kansas City appears to be the bigger AFC threat, so a Chiefs loss is the preferred outcome.
Later, the Los Angeles Chargers (0-3) take on the Seattle Seahawks (2-1). Root for the Seahawks. Even though it might hurt New England's strength of victory, the NFC team is the better bet here.
In the Sunday night game, the Detroit Lions (2-1) battle the Carolina Panthers (1-2). With no direct ties to the Patriots, just enjoy the game.
Monday Night: Falcons at Saints
Finally, on Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons (1-2) visit the New Orleans Saints (1-2). Patriots fans should root for the Falcons. New England owns the Saints' sixth-round pick in 2027 from the Ja'Lynn Polk trade, so a New Orleans loss boosts that pick's value.
As the Patriots aim to get back to .500, these rooting interests could shape their playoff path. Stay tuned to Vulius for continued coverage and analysis.
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