This is my optimistic/hopeful view of things, so feel free to ignore if that's not your thing lol
Obviously the Pats have to take care of their own business when they can down the stretch, but looking at some of the other teams in the hunt, I think the Pats can have a real shot not just at making the playoffs, but even getting in as a 6 seed and avoiding BUF/KC all together in the wild card round.
If MIA loses tonight, and NE + NYJ win tomorrow, then NE moves to the 6 seed because of tiebreakers and NYJ/LAC becomes 7, with Miami dropping out of the playoff picture temporarily. Or even if NYJ loses tomorrow, NE is the 7 seed but they still have pretty good odds to nab the 6 seed.
The Chargers have an easy schedule to finish, but they are the Chargers. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of them choking down the stretch like they typically do. The Dolphins, Jets, Pats ALL have tough schedules to finish, but especially if NE beats MIA New Year's Day then NE would have tiebreakers over both NYJ + MIA to finish which becomes vital late.
NE is pretty much guaranteed to make it if they finish the year 10-7 and probably as the 6 seed, but I'd make the case that even 9-8 could be enough to make it based off tiebreakers. That'd mean winning tomorrow, then at least winning 1 of the final 3 against CIN/MIA/BUF. Very tough end for sure, but I'd argue the Pats need to at least win 1 here (or 2) if they want to prove they are worthy of the playoffs as well.
Basically, NE/MIA/LAC/NYJ I think are the 4 teams battling for 2 spots, with the other 5 spots already filled in some order TBD (BUF, KC, TEN, BAL, CIN). MIA losing 2 in a row though has opened the possibility of the Pats getting the 6 seed, which means facing any of CIN/TEN/BAL in the Wild Card Round. I still think they'd lose, but I certainly give them much better chances of upsetting CIN/TEN/BAL than I do against BUF/KC
