New England Patriots: Is Their Season Over After Yesterday's Loss?

This year has been a struggle for Pats fans. It seems just as the team catches their footing, they lose a heartbreaker the next game. They’re not out of the playoffs yet as it looks like the entire AFC East could make it. However, with six more games to play and after a loss on Thanksgiving day, is it time for the New England Patriots to start looking to next year?

You can never fully count a Bill Belichick-lead team out of the playoffs. They’ve had bad years before where everyone said they were done, then they’d make a deep playoff push or even go on to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for them, the competition this year is a bit more leveled out. The Buffalo Bills are currently leading the division with 8 wins(+2 in the division lead). The Miami Dolphins are right behind them with 7 wins, and depending on their outcome Sunday, could jump back up to first place as well. They have to play those same Bills twice, and the Dolphins once. Luckily for New England, that game is at home, but their remaining schedule won’t do them any favors.

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The sky isn’t falling just yet and if they handle their business they can get right back on track. But look at their play throughout the year, who have they beat to say they’ll turn it around? They were beat by a struggle Packers team, though Aaron Rodgers is still Aaron Rodgers. The Bears have struggled just the same all season and managed to pull out a win in New England. In a sloppy game, a kick return barely put away the New York Jets. This team doesn’t exactly shout going on a run and winning it all, but again you can never rule out Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

With that being said, their fate is in the rest of the conference’s hands. With their remaining schedule, 10 wins would more than likely get them in the playoffs but they’d have to win four of their last six to get to that win total. Their Thanksgiving loss moved them out of a playoff spot for now as they are still on the bubble. Realistically they’re still in it, but the current mix of contenders doesn’t paint a pretty picture even if they do make it.

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They’ve got division rivals Buffalo and Miami showing no signs of slowing down. Then there’s the Chiefs who have been on a rampage the past few seasons. The Bengals who started off slow but look to be returning to Super Bowl form late in the season. Don’t forget about the Titans and Ravens who always find ways to get the job done. Of the remaining teams “in the hunt” of the current playoff picture, their best chance to get in would be to overtake the Jets spot and outlast the Chargers who look to have an easier schedule.

The New England Patriots season isn’t over with six games left to play. They could very well go on a win streak and make their push, but if they can’t buckle down and cleanup their on-field play, it might be best to start looking forward to next year.