Projo Pats Blog

The Baltimore Ravens' 33-24 victory tonight in the final regular-season game at Texas Stadium not only puts the Cowboys' once-promising season on life support, it eliminates the easiest route for the Patriots to make the playoffs. Baltimore won tonight with the help of a 77-yard touchdown run by Willis McGahee and an 82-yard touchdown run by Le'Ron McClain, both of which followed Cowboys touchdowns that had seemed to put Dallas back in contention.

The Ravens victory would appear to leave the Patriots' playoff hopes dependent on one of three unlikely scenarios. Any of the following would put the Patriots in the playoffs if New England wins both of its remaining games:

-The Ravens lose next week, at home, to Jacksonville. That would guarantee the Patriots a wild-card playoff berth if they win two more games. The Patriots might still have a chance if Jacksonville beats Baltimore this week, and New England loses against Arizona but beats Buffalo. The tiebreaker in that case would come down to strength of victory, a stat that is difficult to calculate with games still remaining on the schedule -- but that would probably favor the Ravens.

-The Dolphins or the Jets lose tomorrow -- Miami is in Kansas City and New York is in Seattle -- and then tomorrow's loser bounces back to win when the Jets play the Dolphins in Week 17. That, combined with two New England wins, would give the Patriots the division title.

-The Dolphins and the Jets both lose tomorrow. That, combined with a Patriots victory tomorrow, would put the Patriots in control of their own destiny to win the division title by beating Buffalo in Week 17.

There are also possible Patriots playoff scenarios involving tie games, but these hardly seem worth going into.

It isn't going to be easy, but all the Pats can do is win tomorrow against Arizona. A loss at Gillette would not eliminate New England, but it would put the Pats very close to the brink.

 Tags  Baltimore Ravens Dallas Cowboys

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