The Patriots were on a bye in Week 10, but their playoff chances improved without playing a snap.
The AFC east is wide open, as there is not one team below .500. Although the Dolphins beat the Browns 39-17, the Bills lost in a thriller to the Vikings 33-30. These events shuffle the teams, as the Dolphins are now in first place with a 7-3 record. The Bills and Jets are 6-3 and are tied for second, which leaves the Patriots in last, being 5-4.
New England has four more divisional matchups remaining. Two of them are against the Bills. In a crucial game, the Patriots and Jets will return from their bye week facing off in Week 11. With a win against the Jets, the Patriots will earn the head-to-head tiebreaker and move in front of the Jets in the division.
New England has a 45% of making the playoffs, but that could increase significantly on Sunday night when the Chargers play the 49ers. The Chargers currently hold the last playoff spot, and New England could switch places with the Chargers if the 49ers defeat LA.
If New England can fix their offensive play, and Mac Jones can go back to his usual self, then New England can carve out a path to the playoffs.
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My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
