I’m not saying the Indianapolis Colts were pretenders, but their schedule the last seven weeks was a bear.
Unlike the Patriots and Broncos, the other top teams in the AFC the last month, which had favorable season-ending games with really only two tough games apiece.
The Colts, a great story in 2025, are going to struggle to make the playoffs with the Jaguars and Texans, division foes, playing their best heading into December.
The Bills, in my humble opinion, are not in a good place. They are playing desperately every week, not even close to the consistency seen with the Patriots and Broncos.
And one of these teams, the Chiefs or Ravens, are not going to play in January. Mark that down.
I believe the Patriots and Broncos will finish with similar records, 14-3. The No. 1 seed will go to the second tiebreaker — conference record — which will hinge on the Broncos-Packers game on Dec. 14.
If Broncos lose, Pats win that tiebreaker.
Anyway, these teams are the best, each with different strengths and weaknesses. It would be an awesome matchup against two up-and-coming franchises with a recent history.
As for Week 13 of the “I Beat Burt” contest I had eight winners out of the 12 games, picking the Cardinals to beat the Buccaneers. I thought Baker Mayfield would be out. My bad. And it cost me.
All of the winners were within two points of the Patriots point total (33), the first breaker. The second tiebreaker — amount of correct selections — and third tiebreaker (random draw) was needed with several entries having 10 correct picks.
FYI: The first tiebreaker for Week 14 will be the Bills point total. So do your homework.