Miami Dolphins’ Playoff Scenarios First, the Dolphins’ one and only division-clinching scenario in Week 16. They would be AFC East champs with a win over the Dallas Cowboys (10-4) and a Bills loss or tie to the dreadful Los Angeles Chargers (5-9), who have a new coach after an embarrassing Week 15 loss to the Raiders. If both don’t happen, the division title will remain up for grabs through at least Week 17. But if the Bills win their next two and the Dolphins have one or two losses in the next two weeks, the Week 18 matchup between Miami and Buffalo will be for the division crown. That’s a distinct possibility — one the Dolphins should keep in mind. It’s also why Sunday’s 30-point win was so important for Miami. It makes it far more likely that the Dolphins will get in as a Wild Card if they fall short of the division crown. The Dolphins are one of just two double-digit-win teams in the AFC (the Ravens, who the Dolphins face in Week 17, are the other). After Week 15, there will be just 11 teams — including seven in the Wild Card hunt — that still get to those 10 wins. If the Dolphins beat the Cowboys in Week 16, two of those seven (the Steelers and Broncos) cannot catch them. And two others — the Texans and Colts — still face each other this season, meaning both cannot get to 11 wins. Meanwhile, the Dolphins would prevail in any tiebreaker that involves the Bengals by virtue of Cincinnati’s dreadful conference record (3-6). So put another way, if the Dolphins beat the Cowboys on Christmas Eve, they’re guaranteed a spot in the tournament. And if they win out, they’ll be the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
Yeah, if we win out, that gives the Ravens four losses and we'd have the tie-breaker. So we're still technically in control of the #1 seed, but so are the Ravens. I mis-spoke yesterday, week 18 will still matter (for the #1 seed) unless the Ravens lose to someone else as well. Besides us, they play the 49ers and Steelers...and the 49ers look unbeatable at the moment. That game is Christmas night too!
Go for the gold. Win out, eliminate Buffalo, and take the #1 seed. I've seen enough of Dallas, Baltimore, and Buffalo to know we're a better team than all three. Take it now because these opportunities don't come around often.
As if this morning… The Ravens have clinched a playoff spot, the only team in the AFC to do so. The Cowboys have clinched a playoff spot The Eagles have clinched a playoff spot The 49ers have won the NFC West. The playoff picture should be a lot clearer after this weekend’s games.
With Herbert out it's nearly impossible. What I don't understand is why the opening line of +14 for the Chargers is now +11. The slightly more realistic hope of the Bills losing a game before they play us is against NE. btw.. interesting stat: NE is now in last place in points scored per game LOL. Belichick without Brady.
No necessarily Brad. Browning has stepped up and is playing pretty well in Burrow’s stay. Not to mention with the firing of Staley, the Chargers may have a fire ignited that was lacking. Remember the fire the Dolphins had when Campbell was named interim head coach. This is the NFL… where strange things happen all of the time.
You never want to be an interim coach's first opponent. Crazier things have happened. Hopefully LA pulls out a win.
Would've been humorous if it was a one off, but it's commonplace. Trap game sounds great but I doubt it.
This is a classic trap game situation. Maybe the Belles get complacent and do silly stuff like a Conga Line in the end zone.
If I had to guess... Too many dollars being bet on one side of the spread. That leaves the potential for a massive payout on the table. To counter this, they move the line in hopes of convincing enough people to bet the opposite of the current trend and balance out the payouts to lesser their exposure.
I get the whole betting procedure, but it's the fact that money was pouring in on the Chargers that caused the line to drop that surprises me.
I haven't looked but maybe the best payout was the Chargers to beat the spread compared all of the other games...??? Bills suck when on the road out West so they're thinking easy money at +14? Otherwise, why? I don't see it. I hope I'm wrong and this is their Tennessee trap game
Okay, latest playoff update… Miami wins the AFC East with a win against the Cowboys and a loss or tie by the Bills. Miami clenches a playoff berth with a win or a tie. In the event of a tie, there’s a whole SLEW of other scenarios that would lead to Miami getting into the playoffs. Bottom line…win baby win!!!
Neither of them has a chance. I have a feeling it's going to come down to the Bills at the Dolphins, week 18, for the division.
I think the chance of Pats winning is very slim but its a chance. Their defense is still playing well so it only takes a bit of Josh Allen going dumb for it to be a real game. I also just don't the Bills are trustworthy enough to think they aren't still capable of laying huge eggs and that will still be true after they win tonight by 40.
And just like that, I'm disabused of any anticipatory joy over what might happen in this game. Love him or hate him, the most dangerous player in the NFL is Josh Allen once he's off script.
No. Mahomes is better in every single way other than the ability to truck people and not get hurt. Mahomes is better off script.
