Everything the Patriots need to make the playoffs next week, explained
The New England Patriots control their own destiny thanks to their win over the Dolphins but what will it take to lock in a playoff berth?
Going into Sunday’s game against the Dolphins, the Patriots had lost four of their last five games, putting their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. The victory over Miami put them back on track.
Now, New England is in the driver’s seat for the final AFC Wild Card spot.
The simplest path is easy: Win and they’re in. A loss to Buffalo would complicate matters.
Everything the Patriots need to make the playoffs next week, explained
- If the Patriots beat the Bills, they clinch the playoffs
- If the Patriots lose to the Bills they can still clinch the playoffs if…
- Jets lose to Seahawks in Week 17 AND beat Dolphins in Week 18
- Steelers lose to Ravens in Week 17 OR Browns in Week 18
- Raiders lose to 49ers in Week 17 OR Chiefs in Week 18
The bad news for the Patriots is the Chiefs beat the Broncos despite some stumbles. That means the Bills cannot clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, giving them less incentive to sit starters in the regular-season finale.
A NE loss to the Bills could open the door for several other playoff hopefuls in the AFC. That’s why the Patriots need a few results to go their way in order to get into the playoffs at 8-9.
First, the Jets have to lose to Seattle and be eliminated. The Pats need New York to beat Miami next week to stop the Dolphins from taking the wild card spot. However, the Jets themselves would beat out New England if they won their last two games, improving to 9-8. So the Patriots need to root hard for the Seahawks first and then they can get behind NY.
The Steelers also have an outside chance to get into the playoffs in case of a Pats loss. So seeing Pittsburgh lose one of their last two games to the Ravens or Browns would be a relief for New England.
Finally, the Raiders are also alive if the Patriots and everyone else lose the necessary games. So an admittedly likely Vegas loss to the 49ers or Chefs would prevent that doomsday scenario from keeping NE out.
Again, the path to the playoff is simple. Win and Bill Belichick’s squad is in. A loss isn’t the end of it, it just complicates a lot.
