The race for the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed that no one saw coming ramps up in intensity this week.

The runaway co-favorite Denver Broncos and New England Patriots — both +115 (i.e. risking $100 to win $115) to earn the top playoff position at Caesars/William Hill — both finally have challenging games.

Denver hosts Green Bay as a 2.5-point underdog at most sportsbooks, while New England plays at home against Buffalo in a pick’em affair.

The Bills are favored by a point over the Patriots at some shops. If that number sticks, it will be only the second time in nine weeks that New England isn’t favored.

Denver has only been an underdog twice in the same two-month span.

Both teams are 11-2 straight-up in breakout seasons, but weak schedules have unquestionably contributed to their success.

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