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The Miami Dolphins didn’t see the Week 14 slate of games break in their favor, starting specifically with the team’s 33-27 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium to drop the Dolphins to 8-5 on the season with three games left to play. But as the Dolphins look to finish the season strong and potentially secure a playoff berth in January, they’ll need to stave off a late charge from the Baltimore Ravens and the Las Vegas Raiders. Miami will clash with the Raiders in head to head action in Week 16; so that matter is in their own hands.
But the Baltimore Ravens continue to press the issue in the conference standings and will continue to threaten the Dolphins after a win against the Cleveland Browns moved Baltimore to 8-5 on the season. But, unlike the Dolphins, the Ravens have a fairly easy schedule remaining ahead of them.
Worry not, Dolphins fans. The Dolphins do hold their own destiny in their hands. If Miami wins their final three games, they will be in the postseason, period. But that’s easier said than done and Miami’s health is threatening to derail the team’s progress this season as we enter the final stretch.
Miami is a team that was rebuild from the core in just one offseason after tearing things down — their lack of depth is showing in the skill groups.
But whether Miami is healthy or not, the Dolphins should consider the postseason to have already started. The NFL may not recognize the playoffs until the beginning of January but for the Dolphins it has absolutely already begun. Win and advance one week at a time should be the Dolphins’ perspective. Lose? Well then it will be time to sit on the sidelines and watch the playoffs from home — a fate that far too many Dolphins teams have endured in recent memory.
There’s no uncertainty for the Dolphins. They must win in Week 15 to continue their playoff bid. Trying to close the season out and earn a wild card berth is riding on a victory against the Patriots this upcoming weekend.