New England’s current record of 3-5 isn’t a death sentence for a potential postseason berth, nor even would a potential 3-6 mark should the team lose to AFC juggernaut Baltimore at home on Sunday.
If the Patriots can’t beat a team like the Ravens, though, what’s the point in hoping for what would truly be a miraculous playoff berth at that stage? Baltimore, 6-2, boasts the second-best point differential in the NFL at plus-85, as well as Lamar Jackson, the 2019 league MVP who despite having taken a step back in 2020 remains a formidable challenge for New England’s disappointing defense.