The Miami Dolphins are not among the NFL franchises positioned to secure a playoff berth in Week 15 of the 2020 NFL season. But Miami’s path to the playoffs doesn’t have to be overly complicated. There are several scenarios that can play out that will plunge the AFC into complete chaos over the final three weeks of the season; but several scenarios for Miami offer just two or three steps to locking in a playoff berth ahead of facing off against the Buffalo Bills in Week 17.
All scenarios with the Dolphins clinching a postseason berth next weekend are rooted in the Dolphins winning their next two football games — Sunday at home against the New England Patriots and next Saturday in Las Vegas against the Raiders.
That would position the Dolphins at 10-5. At that record, Miami could see a number of different clinching scenarios present themselves by the end of Week 16. Among them? The Indianapolis Colts losing in Weeks 15 & 16. That’s easier said than done, of course. But the Colts do play a division rival in Houston and the 11-2 Pittsburgh Steelers over the next two weeks. The first time Houston clashed with Indianapolis, QB Deshaun Watson fumbled on 2nd and goal from the Colts 2-yard line in the final two minutes; coughing up a touchdown that would have given the Texans a late lead. So seeing the Colts lose isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Another avenue for clinching would require only a single step from Week 15, although this one is admittedly less likely. With Miami wins in Weeks 15 & 16 and a Baltimore Ravens loss in Week 15 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Dolphins would be a game clear of the Ravens with one game to play and have the needed conference tiebreakers to win a head to head should both teams finish 10-6.
Miami also locks in a playoff berth in Week 16 with two losses by the Cleveland Browns — although the Browns are playing the Jets and Giants over the next two weeks, making that perhaps the biggest long shot of them all.
So life for the Miami Dolphins is pretty simple despite the complexities of the AFC. Win your next two football games and let the chips fall where they may. And if that’s not enough, then we can worry about the craziness that may follow entering Week 17.