EXCLUSIVE:  "Never, ever count the Patriots out" - Ex-Falcons HC Mike Smith fires warning to rest of the NFL 

The New England Patriots suffered a deflating 33-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving Day, ending a three-game winning streak that had helped them make their way into the AFC playoff picture.

Bill Belichick's team are one game behind divisional rivals New York Jets, who occupy the seventh and final playoff spot.

The Patriots' remaining schedule is tough. They will face the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Buffalo Bills twice in their remaining six games.

Given the strength of their remaining schedule, some have written off the Patriots' chances of making it to the playoffs. But former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith is not among those that have called the time of death on New England's season.

While discussing the Patriots' chances of making it to the playoffs with host Reggie Roberts on Sportskeeda's BallFather Podcast, Smith said:

"I would never, ever count the Patriots out. No, no, no, not at all."

Smith also raved about quarterback Mac Jones' performance in the Patriots' loss against the Vikings.

He said:

"Mac Jones had the best game of his career. And in that defeat, he was over 300 yards [passing]. He was cutting it and spending it. So that's a good sign for the Patriots moving forward."

Jones finished the game with a career-high 382 passing yards and two touchdowns.

Can the Patriots make the playoffs?

The New England Patriots will likely need at least 10 wins to make it to the playoffs. Beating the Cardinals and Raiders is non-negotiable for New England. The most important game for the Patriots will likely be the one against the Bengals.

Cincinnati is only one game ahead of the Patriots in the race for a playoff spot. If Bill Belichick's side manage to upstage Joe Burrow and the reigning AFC champions, they will hold the tie-breaker in the event of the two teams finishing with identical records.

The Patriots will also need to win at least one of their three games against divisional rivals, the Dolphins and Bills. Their best chance could be in Week 18. The Bills will likely rest their starters for most, if not the entirety, of the game to avoid any injuries before the playoffs.

The Patriots can still make it to the playoffs, but the room for error is minimal.