It's hard to believe, but the New England Patriots control their own destiny in the AFC.
Despite a 22-18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday that dropped them to 7-8 on the season, the Patriots can still make the playoffs by winning their final two games. That's because the Miami Dolphins did them a solid on Christmas Day, losing 26-20 to the Green Bay Packers to fall to 8-7.
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Here's an updated look at the AFC standings heading into Week 17:
In a Playoff Spot
- Buffalo Bills, 12-3 (AFC East leader)*
- Kansas City Chiefs, 12-3 (AFC West winner)*
- Cincinnati Bengals, 11-4 (AFC North leader)*
- Jacksonville Jaguars, 7-8 (AFC South leader)
- Baltimore Ravens, 10-5 (First wild card)*
- Los Angeles Chargers, 9-6 (Second wild card)*
- Miami Dolphins, 8-7 (Third wild card)
*Clinched playoff spot
New England Patriots
On the Bubble
8. New England Patriots, 7-8
9. New York Jets, 7-8
10. Tennessee Titans, 7-8
11. Pittsburgh Steelers, 6-8
12. Las Vegas Raiders, 6-9
13. Cleveland Browns, 6-9
The Chargers clinched a playoff spot Monday night with a win over the Indianapolis Colts, leaving only the No. 7 seed up for grabs.
But New England's path to the No. 7 seed is now simple: Beat the Miami Dolphins at home in Week 17 and beat the Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 18, and you're playing on Wild Card Weekend.
If the Patriots lose to the Dolphins next weekend, they'd be automatically eliminated. If they beat the Dolphins and lose to the Bills, they'd need a lot to go right to reach the postseason.
New England has lost four of its last five games, and anyone who's watched this team over the past month would give them a very slim chance of winning out.
The Dolphins have tanked as well by losing four straight, however, and their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, has entered concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game at Gillette Stadium. So despite the Patriots' uninspired play of late ... we're saying there's still a chance.