Tag: 2021 AFC Playoff picture

Here’s how the Dolphins could become the 7th seed after Week 16

Miami could be in the playoffs after this week.

There are three weeks remaining in the regular season, and the Miami Dolphins are doing everything they can to make a playoff push. Their six wins in a row have certainly aided their efforts, but these last three games could be challenging.

Going into Week 16, the Dolphins are one of five teams with seven wins in the AFC, as the same could be said for the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns. With the Steelers having a tie, and the Raiders having the tiebreaker over Miami, the Dolphins are currently the 11th seed in the AFC.

However, there’s a way that the Dolphins could move from the 11th seed to the seventh seed after this week’s slate of games. Obviously, Miami would have to beat New Orleans on Monday night, and the following outcomes would have to happen:

  • Broncos def. Raiders
  • Chiefs def. Steelers
  • Bengals def. Ravens
  • Texans def. Chargers

At 8-7, the Dolphins would be tied with at least the Broncos, Chargers, and Ravens with Miami having the tiebreaker over all three of them. They could also be tied with the Browns if they were to win, or the Indianapolis Colts if they were to lose. Miami holds the tiebreaker over the Browns, but the Colts’ head-to-head win over Miami gives them the advantage, keeping them from the sixth seed.

It’s far from a guarantee that we see this happen, but there’s a chance.

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Here’s how the Dolphins could become the 11th seed after Week 15

Here’s what would need to happen.

With four weeks left in the regular season, the Miami Dolphins are trying to find a way to turn their 1-7 start into a playoff appearance. Their five wins in a row have helped, but there’s more work to be done if they want to play in mid-January.

After the Los Angeles Chargers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night, they are currently the fifth seed with an 8-6 record. The rest of the teams in the AFC playoff picture in order are the Indianapolis Colts (7-6), Buffalo Bills (7-6), Cleveland Browns (7-6), Cincinnati Bengals (7-6), Denver Broncos (7-6), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1), Las Vegas Raiders (6-7), and Miami Dolphins (6-7).

Obviously, Miami will have to beat the Jets if they want to continue climbing in the AFC. Here’s what else would have to happen for them to move up to the 11th seed:

  • Patriots def. Colts
  • Panthers def. Bills
  • Raiders def. Browns
  • Broncos def. Bengals
  • Titans def. Steelers

If all of this were to play out, Miami would be 7-7 heading into Week 16, and they’d be tied with the Colts, Bengals, Raiders, Bills, and Browns. The only team they have the tiebreaker over is the Browns to this point. However, this would put them within striking distance of the seventh seed with three weeks to play.

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How Week 14 can impact the Miami Dolphins in the playoff picture

Luckily, the Dolphins couldn’t move down any spots.

The Miami Dolphins have had two very different streaks that have led them to this point in the season.

Brian Flores’ team won their season opener before losing their next seven contests. Since then, Miami has won five straight, as they appear to be making a nearly unthinkable run at the postseason.

After 13 weeks, the Dolphins are 6-7 and are 13th in their conference. A bye week in Week 14 means Miami won’t be able to gain a win to move up, but they could get some help from other teams that are just barely above them in the standings.

Entering Sunday, there are three teams who have yet to play this week that are all within percentage points of being tied with the Dolphins. Those three teams are the Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos who are all 6-6.

In Week 14, the Raiders take on the 8-4 Kansas City Chiefs, the Browns face the 8-4 Baltimore Ravens, and the Broncos play the 1-10-1 Detroit Lions.

If any of those teams win, they remain ahead of the Dolphins in the standings by improving to 7-6. However, if any of those teams lose, they will be tied with Miami, and the Dolphins have tiebreakers over the Broncos and the Browns due to their record in the conference. The Raiders, with a loss, would still have a better record against conference opponents than the Dolphins.

This means that Miami could move from 13th to 11th in the AFC without playing a game this weekend, putting them in prime position over the next few weeks to make a real run at the postseason.

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