Updating the playoff race, and it's not good.

[Mark Farinella]

Let's look at the AFC playoff race following Sunday's results, and a plausible predicted scenario in which the Patriots fail to get to the playoffs despite winning out:

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (8-5)
W @ Seattle, 24-21
@ Oakland (3-10)
Arizona (8-5)
@ Buffalo (6-7)
Prediction: 3-0

NEW YORK JETS (8-5)
L @ San Francisco, 24-14
Buffalo (6-7)
@ Seattle (2-11)
Miami (8-5)
Prediction: 3-0

MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-5)
W @ Buffalo in Toronto, 16-3
San Francisco (5-8)
@ Kansas City (2-11)
@ New York Jets (8-5)
Prediction: 2-1, losing to the Jets

BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-4)
W @ Washington, 24-10
Pittsburgh (10-3)
@ Dallas (8-5)
Jacksonville (4-9)
Prediction: 2-1, losing to Pittsburgh

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (9-4)
W vs. Cincinnati, 35-3
Detroit (0-13)
@ Jacksonville (4-9)
Tennessee (12-1)
Prediction: 3-0.

And as for the other division leaders:

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-3)
W vs. Dallas, 20-13
@ Baltimore (9-4)
@ Tennessee (12-1)
Cleveland (4-9)
Prediction: 2-1

TENNESSEE TITANS (12-1)
W vs. Cleveland, 28-9
@ Houston (6-7)
Pittsburgh (10-3)
@ Indianapolis (9-4)
Prediction: 1-2 (they can rest starters in last two).

DENVER BRONCOS (8-5)
W vs. Kansas City, 24-17
@ Carolina (9-3)
Buffalo (6-7)
San Diego (5-8)
Prediction: 2-1.

If all of what I just said comes to pass, this would be the playoff seeding:

1. Tennessee Titans (13-3)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
3. New York Jets (11-5)
4. Denver Broncos (10-6)
5. Indianapolis Colts (12-4)
6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)

The Patriots would be shut out because under this scenario, the Ravens have an 8-4 conference record and the Patriots 7-5. Both teams would have 2-3 records against common opponents. If both the Jets and Patriots finish 11-5, the Jets would have a better division record (5-1 to 4-2).

The Dolphins can mix this up more, and they have a better conference record against the Patriots ... but we're getting ahead of ourselves.

The Ravens are still the most plausible key to the Patriots' hopes. The Steelers have to get the job done to give them another conference loss, but losing to the Cowboys would put them behind the Patriots (if they win out), and that would likely sneak the Patriots back in at No. 6 -- and now, that would be a quick trip to the Meadowlands.

But this is but one of many potential scenarios, and anything can go wrong with it. The point is that the Patriots can still make the playoffs, but they really need help from other teams. Hey, the Jets could fall on their face, but that might help the Dolphins more than the Patriots if the divisional title is the best hope for making it to the postseason.

[Mark Farinella]

You may be right, but I'm less confident in Dallas' ability to win a meaningful game right now.