Patch Patriots Roundup: Playoff Chances Shrink, But It's Possible

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The Patriots have a lot riding on their performance this weekend, but the main storyline of the game doesn't have much to do with the Patriots at all.

When the Pats face off against their division rival Miami Dolphins, the Fins will be without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered his second concussion of the season during last week's loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Much has been made of the young quarterbacks future in the aftermath, with some calling for him to sit out the remainder of the season, and others calling for him to maybe hang up his cleats for good.

His brother, University of Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, and his trainer, Nick Hicks, said they belive he'll play football again, but a timeline for his return is far from certain.

On Sunday, Teddy Bridgewater will step under center for the Dolphins. Bridgewater is a more than capable backup, but it's a big loss for the Dolphins heading into what's perhaps the Patriots biggest matchup of the year.

Here's what to know:

How Can The Pats Make The Playoffs

This section comes courtesy of Jordy McElroy of Patriots Wire, who wrote an exceptional and concise column about this very topic.

What's clear for the Patriots is this: Lose to the Dolphins and you're out of the playoffs. There is no road ahead for the team without a win on Sunday.

However, things get interesting with a win.

If the team wins against the Dolphins, they can lose to the Bills and still make the playoffs, but they'll need a lot of help. Here's where we'll lean on McElroy.

For that scenario to play out, the Raiders and the Steelers will need to lost at least one game in the final two weeks. The Jaguars would also have to lose their final two games, a longshot considering their opponents, and how well they've been playing. Additionally, the Jets would need to lose to the Seahawks, but then bounce back in Week 18 and beat the Dolphins.

It's a lot, but there is a surefire way for the Pats to make it. Yes, it's the proverbial "control your own destiny" approach. Win your final two games and you're in. Simple as that.

Playoff Odds

The Patriots are no longer in playoff position, but that could change if they put out a good showing on Sunday against Miami.

As it stands, the Patriots sit one spot behind Miami for the final playoff spot. The season series would draw even with a Patriots win on Sunday.

According to ESPN's Football Power Index projections, the Patriots have a 20 percent chance of making the playoffs. Again, a win this weekend would go a long way toward getting them there.

Kendrick Bourne Is Back?

Can someone be back if they never left?

Kendrick Bourne has been in the doghouse for maybe showing up late to a preseason meeting? Really, it's unclear. Head Coach Bill Belichick said there wasn't any reason in particular why Bourne, after a solid showing last year, wasn't getting any reps this year.

Then he broke out last week, and by god did that prove to be a mistake given the comatose nature of the Patriots offense for most of the year.

Bourne netted over 100 scrimmage yards and scored a touchdown in last week's loss, and PFF rated him the top receiver in the league last week.

Maybe with the playoffs at stake, Bourne will see some more snaps against the Dolphins, and throughout the rest of the year. But no one on the Patriots staff has committed to it.

Odds and Ends

• Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 1, 1 p.m.
• Network: CBS
• Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub
• Weather forecast: Rain likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Patchy fog before 1 p.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 54. West wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.