Current:Home > InvestThe absurd way the 2-10 New England Patriots can still make the NFL playoffs-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
The absurd way the 2-10 New England Patriots can still make the NFL playoffs
View Date:2024-12-23 23:14:23
The New England Patriots are not a good football team anymore. Gone are the days where fans in Foxborough could count on 10+ wins and an AFC East title. Ahead of the team's Thursday Night Football matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Patriots sit at 2-10, the worst record in the AFC. They haven't won a game since Oct. 22 and haven't scored double-digit points in three straight games.
If the season ended today, the Patriots would hold the second overall pick, their highest pick since they took Drew Bledsoe first overall in 1993. They are basement-dwellers of the NFL, and definitely not a playoff team...right?
Well...
The Patriots still have a path to the playoffs
There is still a slim chance that the Patriots can reach the playoffs this year. Obviously, it's not likely, but even at 2-10, with their best possible record an abysmal 7-10, the Patriots have a shot at the playoffs.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Here's what needs to happen.
- The Patriots need to win out
- Their next five games are as follows: @ PIT, v. KC, @ DEN, @ BUF, v. NYJ
- The Pittsburgh Steelers need to lose out
- Their next five games: v. NE, @ IND, v. CIN, @ SEA, @ BAL
- The Houston Texans need to lose out
- Their next five games: @ NYJ, @ TEN, v. CLE, v. TEN, @ IND
- The Bengals need to beat the Steelers in Week 16 and lose the rest of their games
- Their next five games: v. IND, v. MIN, @ PIT, @ KC, v. CLE
- The Los Angeles Chargers need to win their next two games against the Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, then lose to the Bills, Broncos, and Chiefs in the final three weeks
- The Broncos to lose their next three to the Chargers, Lions, and Patriots, win their Week 17 matchup against the Chargers, then lose to the Raiders in Week 18
- The Bills to lose to the Chiefs and Cowboys, beat the Chargers, then lose to the Patriots and Dolphins
What would the playoffs look like if all of this happened?
Here would be the AFC playoffs if all of the above happened:
*standings listed are not guaranteed
- Baltimore Ravens
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Miami Dolphins
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Cleveland Browns
- Indianapolis Colts
- New England Patriots
Of course, the teams at the top could shift around. The Ravens could lose to the 49ers while the Dolphins beat the Cowboys. Other things could happen that have nothing to do with the Patriots reaching the playoffs, but all that matters in this situation is that we see New England in that seven spot.
Is there a chance all this happens?
Don't make me laugh.
Even if every other team played their part, the Patriots, who have scored more than 20 points just once all year, would have to take down the Chiefs, Bills, and possibly a Jets team with Aaron Rodgers back under center.
The Patriots are not going to reach the playoffs, but it is astonishing to realize that despite how atrocious they've been, how bad they've looked, how horrible the offense has played, they are not mathematically out of the hunt yet despite only having two wins.
NFL Week 14 picks:Will Cowboys topple Eagles, turn playoff race on its head?
veryGood! (5279)
Related
- Hurricane forecasters on alert: November storm could head for Florida
- 15 new movies you'll want to stream this holiday season, from 'Emilia Perez' to 'Maria'
- Hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field can be fixed for about $55M in time for 2026 season, per report
- When do new 'Yellowstone' episodes come out? Here's the Season 5, Part 2 episode schedule
- Trump breaks GOP losing streak in nation’s largest majority-Arab city with a pivotal final week
- Mike Tyson impresses crowd during workout ahead of Jake Paul fight
- Judge moves to slash $38 million verdict in New Hampshire youth center abuse case
- Mike Tyson impresses crowd during workout ahead of Jake Paul fight
- Bitcoin has topped $87,000 for a new record high. What to know about crypto’s post-election rally
- Spirit Airlines cancels release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
Ranking
- Some women are stockpiling Plan B and abortion pills. Here's what experts have to say.
- Charles Hanover: A Summary of the UK Stock Market in 2023
- NFL MVP rankings: Does Steelers QB Russell Wilson deserve any consideration?
- Over 1.4 million Honda, Acura vehicles subject of US probe over potential engine failure
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Red Velvet, Please
- Full House Star Dave Coulier Shares Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis
- Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper Prove They're Going Strong With Twinning Looks on NYC Date
- Horoscopes Today, November 11, 2024
Recommendation
-
'We suffered great damage': Fierce California wildfire burns homes, businesses
-
Certifying this year’s presidential results begins quietly, in contrast to the 2020 election
-
Will the NBA Cup become a treasured tradition? League hopes so, but it’s too soon to tell
-
Ben Foster files to divorce Laura Prepon after 6 years, according to reports
-
Summer I Turned Pretty's Gavin Casalegno Marries Girlfriend Cheyanne Casalegno
-
Why Outer Banks Fans Think Costars Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey Used Stunt Doubles Amid Rumored Rift
-
DWTS' Gleb Savchenko Shares Why He Ended Brooks Nader Romance Through Text Message
-
NFL MVP rankings: Does Steelers QB Russell Wilson deserve any consideration?