The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots face off on Sunday, Jan. 1. The game will be live streamed on Paramount+ (free trial) and fuboTV (free trial).

With a four-game losing streak, the Dolphins squandered an easy path to the playoffs and now need to win at least one — or possibly both — of their last two games to reach the postseason.

And they will probably have to do it with a backup quarterback.

Tua Tagovailoa is in the concussion protocol again after what was at least his second traumatic brain injury of the season, and Teddy Bridgewater is expected to start for Miami (8-7) against the New England Patriots (7-8) on Sunday.

The winner of the game has a decent chance at a playoff berth. If the Patriots lose, they are out; if the Dolphins lose, they are in trouble.

Miami was 8-3 after a fifth straight victory in Week 12 and the only question seemed to be whether it would challenge Buffalo for the AFC East title or have to settle for a wild-card berth. Four losses later, the Dolphins are in danger of missing the postseason entirely.

The Patriots have lost four of five, but Miami’s collapse opened the door for them to reach the playoffs for the second time since Tom Brady’s departure signaled the end of their dynasty.

When is Dolphins-Patriots?

The Patriots play the Dolphins at noon (1 p.m. ET) Sunday, Jan. 1.

Live stream options

Paramount+

Paramount+, which offers a 7-day free trial,and features more than 20,000 episodes and movies from ViacomCBS family, which includes CBS, Comedy Central, BET, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and more.

There are two tiers to the streaming service. For $4.99 per month, you get limited commercials. For $9.99 per month, there are no commercials. Both tiers come with the 7-day free trial.

FuboTV

The game will be live streamed on fuboTV, which offers a free trial. The most basic of plans is the “fubo standard” package, which comprises 121-plus channels for $69.99 per month. Like all cord-cutting alternatives, there are plenty of options, especially for sports. It comes with more than 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR, and up to 10 screens at once.

Will it be televised?

The Dolphins and Patriots will be televised on CBS.

Preview

STILL CONFIDENT: Despite the stress of losing their starting quarterback to a concussion for the second time this season, having the veteran Bridgewater as a backup has lifted some stress off the Dolphins.

McDaniel said he was on the phone with Bridgewater until 10:15 p.m. Tuesday going over plans.

“This is why we thought it so vital to go after him in free agency,” McDaniel said. “This is why he’s done such a diligent job during the course of the season with his own injuries and such to be prepared for this opportunity. And I know the team is very excited. I feel very fortunate to have him and for him to get his opportunity that he’s totally prepared for.”

Bridgewater is 41 yards shy of 15,000 career passing yards and has a career passer rating of 90.5.

DIRTY PLAY: Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was accused of being a dirty player after he laid down in front of Bengals cornerback Eli Apple on a potential fumble return (which was ultimately ruled an incomplete pass).

Apple called it a dirty play and said he’s seen Jones cross the line before. Jones was also fined for flipping a football at a Bills player after being sacked. And against Chicago, he slid with his leg up, kicking a Bears player in the groin.

Jones said he respects players around the league but was concerned about “earning the respect of the people in this building and the people I care about.”

PRESSURE MAKES DIAMONDS: Miami players are embracing the challenge of heading into their final two games with a playoff spot on the line. The Dolphins are clinging to the seventh seed in the AFC and are guaranteed a playoff berth if they win out.

“We already know what we got to do, which is make plays and just win football games,” Hill said. “The NFL (is) tough. It doesn’t matter who you play. It doesn’t matter what the record shows on a team. It doesn’t matter. Because at the end of the day, you’re going against professional athletes who get paid just like you get paid.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.