Pats need help to make the playoffs!

Some teams control their own post season destinies (Jets, Dolphins, Ravens, Colts, and Steelers). The same can not be said for the Patriots.

Even if the Patriots win all three of their remaining three games (at Oakland, vs. Arizona, and at Buffalo), they are not a sure thing for a playoff berth since the tie-breaking procedures under the following circumstances are not in their favor:

If the Patriots and Jets both win out to go 11-5, the tiebreaker goes to New York, which would own a better division record (5-1 to the Patriots' 4-2).

If Miami wins out to finish 11-5, they would hold the tiebreaker edge over the Patriots because of a better conference record. (That is actually the third tiebreaker in this scenario. The Patriots and Dolphins would have the same division record at 4-2 and the same record against common opponents at 2-2.)

If Baltimore wins two of three to finish 11-5, they would win the tiebreaker over the Patriots because of a better conference record.

If Indianapolis wins two more games to finish 11-5, they would own the tiebreaker since they defeated the Patriots head to head.

If Pittsburgh wins one of its final three games to finish 11-5, they would have the tiebreaker since they defeated the Patriots head to head.

For the Patriots to make the playoffs then, their only realistic bet is to run the table and pray for some help along the way.