The Miami Dolphins are in the thick of the AFC Playoff race. Right now the Dolphins hold the 7 seed. The third and final Wild Cart spot. At 8-6 Miami is tied with the Los Angeles Chargers, but the Chargers hold the tie breaker after their win in one of the worst showing for the Dolphins this season. The Baltimore Ravens at 9-5 are a game up on the Fins. Miami holds the tie breaker over Baltimore after their week 2 comeback win. The Patriots and Jets are at 7-7, and sit on the outside looking in to the playoffs. Tennessee leads the AFC South at 7-7 with Jacksonville one game back at 6-8. Their week 18 game in Jacksonville could decide that division. Can the loser get enough wins to compete for one of those Wild Card spots? Only time will tell.
Week 15 actually increased Miami's chances at making the playoffs. Even though they lost a tightly contested battle in Buffalo. The Dolphins started the weekend with a 70% playoff probability, but with losses by the Jets and Patriots, Miami's chances increased to a 76% chance of making the postseason. As long as the Dolphins can hold off the Jets and Pats and finish second in the AFC East, they will make the playoffs. Power ranking the remaining game for the Dolphins in terms of playoff importance, the Jets are the most important game, the Patriots are a close second, and the Packers are a distant third. However, a win on Christmas Day over Green Bay would give Miami the wiggle room to drop a game to either the Jets or the Patriots.
Miami has the easiest schedule out of the three AFC East teams fighting for the last playoff spot. Miami has Green Bay at home, at the Patriots, and home against the Jets. New England has home games against the Bengals and Dolphins, and a Week 18 road game against the Bills. New York has a home game against the Jags, and road games against the Seahawks and Dolphins. Miami definitely has the inside track to the two seed in the division.
December 25th vs Green Bay Packers, 1pm
The Packers are somehow still in the playoff race. Had Green Bay been eliminated, there is a likelihood that Jordan Love would be under center for this game. That's not going to be the case though. Miami has been better that the Packers this season. But it's proving difficult for the knockout blow to be delivered to the Packers.
Prediction: Miami wins 28-17
January 1st @ New England Patriots, 1pm
Tua owns Bill Belichick. The third year quarterback has never lost to the Patriots. New England faces 3 playoff teams to close out their season. It seems unlikely that Miami will need a tie breaker to get in over the Pats.
January 8th vs New York Jets, TBD
This is the most important game for Miami and their playoff hopes. The Jets beat the Dolphins in their matchup earlier this year, and currently hold the tiebreaker over the Fins. A win in this game with a win over the Packers or Patriots, and Miami will punch their ticket to the playoffs.
