Are the New England Patriots a playoff team?

Not really, not in the way we know them to be. But the NFL’s definition of a playoff team is different with 14 teams making it.

You may have two division champions qualifying with below .500 records. As bad as New England has been, it can make the postseason party as a Wild Card if it wins its last two games, starting with today’s at Gillette Stadium vs. the Non-Tua Miami Dolphins.

And yes, they can beat a Teddy Bridgewater Dolphin offense, and a Buffalo Bills team that has nothing to gain on the regular season’s final day, if that’s the case.

There’s all sorts of focus now on Patriots quarterback Mac Jones being a dirty player because of his low block on Bengals cornerback Eli Apple, etc. At this point, who cares. Jones is who you’re stuck with, he’s under siege, but right now the Patriots aren’t going to worry about it.

“Right now, my focus is on the Miami Dolphins,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said on Friday. “It’s not on some other game, some other play, some other year, what somebody else said or didn’t say.”

It’s just been a strange Patriots season, just don’t be fooled if somehow they take advantage of these breaks and end up playing the weekend of Jan. 14.

And, as we move on, here’s why:

PATRIOTS 17, DOLPHINS 13

Tough call, but the Patriots have beaten lower echelon quarterbacks all year. Bridgewater is that at this stage in his career; he wasn’t before. Before he tore up his knee several years ago, he could outrun players like Matt Judon and Josh Uche. That won’t happen Sunday. Plus, it looks like back Damien Harris will play, and we feel the Patriots are a much better team when he does.

BENGALS 27, BILLS 24

Buffalo loses another close one down the stretch. The Bills tend to battle right down to the wire but something happens in close games (two-point loss to Jets, three points vs. Vikes and Jets), and the Bengals showed last week vs. the Patriots they can win those.

RAVENS 24, STEELERS 13

Why was this game flexed to Sunday Night? Probably because it was one of the few left unprotected by FOX and CBS that NBC could choose from. Oh well, the Ravens, even without Lamar Jackson, should put the Pittsburgh playoff hopes to rest.

VIKINGS 21, PACKERS 18

Green Bay has played better of late, and guess here is Tagovailoa’s concussion impacted his play in the second half on Christmas Day (three interceptions). Kirk Cousins won’t do that, even outdoors at Lambeau.

BUCS 23, PANTHERS 20

OK, Tom Brady, time to take your Tampa team, as bad as it is, to the playoffs. This is the game that counts the most, and its hard to think that Brady won’t carry his team there, even though it won’t be easy given the way the Panthers have played of late.

SEATTLE 27, JETS 23

There’s so much focus in New York on the Jets quarterback situation, but New York’s defense had really not played the way it’s capable of. Let’s see if Jets QB Mike White can last the game; Geno Smith will and will beat his former team.

COLTS 20, GIANTS 17

Yes, you read correctly. The Giants never really come through when they have to, especially in playoff games at home. For yours truly, this mistrust goes all the way back to the Fran Tarkenton Days. Back in 1970, the Giants played the Rams at Yankee Stadium in a win-and-in game, and lost 31-3. We rest our case.

LAST WEEK: 5-2

SEASON: 63-49

Tom King may be reached at tking@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow King on Twitter (@Telegraph_TomK).