Believe it or not, the New England Patriots still have a path in the AFC Playoff Picture.

It’s hard to feel confident that will happen after the Patriots’ 24-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills two Thursdays ago at Gillette Stadium, and especially after the Los Angeles Chargers pulled off a win over the Miami Dolphins Sunday night. But it’s possible we’re living in a recency bias, and the Pats are about to wipe that away and engender newfound hope, because their next two games, against the 4-8 Arizona Cardinals and 5-8 Las Vegas Raiders, are winnable.

Now, to be fair, thanks to the Chicago Bears in Week 7, every game is on the table for a loss as well. But it would be stunning if the Patriots went 0-5 down the stretch. It would be perhaps even more incredible if they went 5-0, flipping a switch nobody knew existed. But if that does happen … there are enough weeks left in the season for some wild shit to happen.

AFC Playoff Picture: Monday, Dec. 12

(Screenshot via NFL Game Stats & Info)

This isn’t to say that this is a probable outcome, but just an illustration of how open the AFC Playoff Picture remains for the Patriots and the other contending teams. BUT!!! If the Patriots win out, and the Bengals and Dolphins all win their remaining non-Patriots games, and the Ravens, Chargers, and Jets win the rest of their games after that, the Patriots would finish in the sixth seed, with the Ravens second, Dolphins third, Bengals fifth, Chargers seventh – and the Bills out of the playoffs altogether.

You’re probably straight-up laughing at me for even suggesting the Patriots win out and the Bills miss the playoffs, and that’s OK. It’s just important to know that the Patriots still control their own destiny for a spot, which if you’re in the hunt for the playoffs is all you can ask for. It also goes to show that even the Bills still have to take care of business, and it won’t be easy.

Of course, this all starts with the Patriots taking care of their own business on Monday Night Football against the Cardinals. If they do win, they’ll be in the seven-spot entering Week 15. This game could function as a pivot point for the Patriots the rest of the way. Which team do they want to be? The one that comes together and plays its best football in the biggest games on the biggest part of the schedule? Or something closer to the sloppy, uninspired, poorly coached team we saw against the Bills?

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 11: Mac Jones #10 of the New England Patriots gestures at the line of scrimmage during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

This is a long way of saying that the answers to those questions lie in the Patriots’ hands. It’s up to them to get to playing closer to their potential and doing it more consistently. There’s little confidence at the moment that they’ll win much at the end, anyway. But we’re telling you there’s a chance.

Anyway, we’ll keep you covered Monday night as the Patriots take the field for a must-win game against the Cardinals, including real-time analysis and highlights. Click here for complete New England Patriots coverage at 985TheSportsHub.com.

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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @realmattdolloff. Check out all of Matt’s content here.