On the heels of the Patriots' dismal 24-3 loss to the Rams Thursday most New England fans realize that the postseason is likely a dream, at best, for this team. And with their now six percent chance to make the playoffs you can’t help but wonder if making the playoffs would be to their benefit or detriment at this point.
Would making the playoffs make fans happy to keep a streak of consecutive postseason appearances alive? Or do you really believe, in your heart of socially distanced hearts, that this team could make a run or at least some noise in January? Whatever camp you find yourself in fact remains they’re not mathematically eliminated yet, so let us do our Patriots-otic diligence and try to find a path.
CHIEFS (11-1) @ DOLPHINS (8-4) - 1 p.m.
The Patriots ever-so-slight postseason dream hinges greatly on the fate of the fins (sounds like a Nat Geo doc). With a loss this week at home to arguably the best team in football, then a loss to the Pats next week in their house of horrors Miami (who has a 61 percent chance of playoffs) could begin enough of a slide for the Pats to squeak by them. But that’s next week, this week we set up emotional shop in the kingdom of the champs. GO CHIEFS!
COLTS (8-4) @ RAIDERS (7-5) - 4:05 p.m.
We’ve stated previously that both Tennessee and Indy both smell of the cologne of inevitability when it comes to the playoffs. Who wins the South and who is a Wild Card is of no concern to us. What is of concern is old pal Philip Rivers taking out the Raiders, who with a loss would have a game on the Pats, but New England would advance should they end up tied come season’s end, thanks to the Pats Week 3 36-21 win. Gross as this is to read it was just as difficult to type; GO COLTS!
STEELERS (11-1) @ BILLS (9-3) - 8:20 p.m.
With the Pats at 6-7 Buffalo would have to lose out for the Pats to take the East from them, highly unlikely given their schedule and recent play. Yes, I know - Josh Allen threw almost as many TDs last week as Cam has on the season. We’re not here for the comparison slander. Just on the off chance that it matters, as previous holders of the AFC East crown for so long, to say GO STEELERS!
RAVENS @ BROWNS - Mon 8:15 p.m.
Trusting the Browns to deliver in a big spot for you is like expecting pants made of paper towels to hold up in a driving rainstorm. But these are not your granpappy’s Brownies...should your father’s father have been a fan of a previously anemic franchise. This iteration of the Cleveland football team is firing on all cylinders, and nothing would make them happier than punching their postseason ticket by beating their relocated selves (google it if you’re confused). Also, if we’re being real it would be nice to see the Ravens lose, and even miss the playoffs altogether. Can’t spell rivals without an L! Say it with me, friends - GO BROWNS!
