I think that the Patriots have a growing problem stopping the run. Teams are doubling Shelton inside and the Pats are struggling to set the edge at times. It's starting to show and Belichick will need to adjust heading into the postseason.
NE needs to get the game script back in their favor. Lately, they have been giving up points early and struggling offensively . . . which will spell doom against a running team with a good defense. If they can go back to getting stops / turnovers / some offense and points early, that would go a long way.
While the offense has been struggling, there are reasons for that. While the offense won't be "fixed," they may get a little better. Everyone on offense has been banged up (which makes getting a bye absolutely imperative). And since that has been the case, the offense hasn't really had a chance to gel. So the offense in mid-December looks like the NE offense typically looks earlier in the season.
I don't know how hurt guys are and if they can get any healthier. That's a tough call, as guys that are nicked up could easily stay nicked up. Part of the issue is Brady hasn't been able to practice much, so the chemistry issues have persisted and lasted way longer than they should have. I also put a lot on McDaniels, as he should be able to better scheme ways to get people open or give bit players some routes that should be open.
What could save NE down the road is that the projected playoff teams as of today (BAL, KC, HOU, BUF, PIT), the other QB's have accounted for only one playoff win (Mahomes). If the NE offense can get one drive for a TD and one drive for a FG (to go along with big plays or short fields from the defense), I think they could win games score 17-21 points.
Of their three losses, the most disconcerting was the Texans game. They were never really in that game and some garbage time production made the score look closer than it really was. However, on the flip side, I think the Ravens game was a lot closer than the final score indicated. NE was about to take the lead in the second half when Edelman fumbled and swung the score by 14 points on one play. NE also committed several dumb penalties at the worst times (which they rarely do). In the KC game, they were right there and if not for some poor calls they could have won that game.
So I think in a few weeks and some improvement on offense (like to average levels not to prior NE offense levels), NE would win a rematch against KC or HOU in NE. I doubt they would beat BAL in BAL, but I didn't think they would beat KC in KC last year (so who knows). I also think that a team like BUF or PIT might be able to do better against the Ravens than the Pats would. Maybe one of those teams wins in the divisional round (say BUF over HOU) to set up the chance for an upset of the Ravens. I doubt a wildcard team would be able to beat both KC and BAL, so that likely won't happen.