The New England Patriots are currently sitting at 9-4 and are the second seed in the AFC playoff picture, however, it's possible for the losers of last year's Super Bowl to miss the playoffs should a certain scenario unfold.
The situation— as described by Reddit user u/16semesters (h/t Dan O'Shea of 12.up.com)— would require both the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans to win out, the Los Angles Chargers to win at least one of their final three games and the Patriots to lose at least two of their last three games.
Miami's games will be at the Minnesota Vikings, home versus the Jacksonville Jaguars and at the Buffalo Bills. Tennessee plays at the New York Giants, then home against the Washington Redskins and the Indianapolis Colts. The Chargers are going to Kansas City to face the Chiefs, hosting the Baltimore Ravens and then playing at the Denver Broncos. The Patriots have to head to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers, then host the Bills and the New York Jets.
While it's unlikely New England would lose to two of their division rivals at home with the postseason on the line, in this version of events the Dolphins win the AFC East and the Chargers and Titans are the two wild card teams.
It would mark the first time that New England would miss the playoffs since 2008 when Tom Brady tore his ACL and Matt Cassel was the Patriot's quarterback. Before then 2002— Brady's second year as a starter— was the last time the Patriots missed the postseason.
Had New England not lost to the Dolphins in Miami on a 69-yard hook-and-ladder play as time expired they would have clinched their division.
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