Patriots' Rooting Guide for 2025 NFL Draft Implications of Week 13

The New England Patriots can only move up one spot in the projected 2025 NFL draft order through Sunday's Week 13 results.

New England did not get any help from the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, both of whom dropped to 2-10 on Thursday and Friday.

The Patriots need the Jacksonville Jaguars to miraculously pull off a divisional upset to have any potential of moving into the top three.

That's assuming the Patriots lose to the Indianapolis Colts at home on Sunday.

A loss to the Colts isn't the worst thing because it gets the Pats closer to a premier draft pick, but the franchise has to walk the fine balance of wanting to lose while also having Drake Maye improve each week at quarterback.

Jaguars over Texans

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Ventrell Miller #51 of the Jacksonville Jaguars leads a huddle prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 17, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Jaguars 52-6. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images)

As unlikely as it sounds, the Patriots need to root for the Jaguars to upset the Houston Texans.

Jacksonville is the only two-win team that hasn't played yet in Week 13. The Giants and Raiders already moved to 2-10.

The only hope for the Patriots is that the Jaguars find a way to respond off the bye following their humiliating loss at the hands of the Detroit Lions.

Jacksonville gave Houston a game back in Week 4 in a 24-20 defeat and it is 1-1 in AFC South games so far this season.

The Patriots should hope for the Jags to upset for the divisional game off the bye so at least one of the two-win teams can be cleared out.

Panthers over Buccaneers

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 24: Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (7) during an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Carolina Panthers on November 24, 2024 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.(Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Carolina Panthers showed more promise than expected in the last few weeks.

Carolina knocked off the New Orleans Saints and Giants and then played a close game with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Panthers are trending in the right direction ahead of their clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is exactly what the Pats want to see.

Carolina currently holds the No. 5 pick in the projected order. Another win could clear the Panthers out of the top five mix entirely.

Jets over Seahawks

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 17: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets in action against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on November 17, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Rooting for the New York Jets is easier to do when it benefits the Patriots' draft stock.

The Jets hold the No. 6 pick in the projected order ahead of their home clash with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Patriots would love for the Jets to clear themselves out of the race for a top-five pick so they can benefit and so that an elite talent does not land elsewhere in the AFC East.

However, the Jets only have one win dating back to Week 4 and Seattle needs a win of its own to keep pace in a competitive NFC West title race.

The Jets might be close to giving up on their season, but for New England's sake, it needs to hope that isn't the case just yet for Aaron Rodgers and Co.