Miami Dolphins Holding Slim Playoff Hopes
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins are not eliminated from the playoffs. They are not being talked about as a team closing the gap to make it either. Miami is behind the Ravens, Browns, Chargers, Chiefs, and Steelers for one of the last two playoff spots. The division is all but lost with the New England Patriots three games ahead of the Dolphins.
Miami holds tie breakers against the San Diego Chargers but head to head match-ups go out the window if one or more teams are tied with the same record. In addition, the Chargers are one game ahead in the W/L column. Currently 10th the Dolphins have a lot of catching up to do over the next five weeks of football. A lot can happen in five weeks as we have seen before but if the Dolphins can’t win it won’t matter. It starts this Monday night.
The good news is, as I said, a lot can happen between now and the end of the season. Here is a look at this weeks games and what will benefit the Dolphins.
San Diego vs. Baltimore
Nov 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws the ball in the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
This is the game that Miami fans should be rooting for Baltimore. With the Ravens on the schedule next a loss by San Diego this week and win by the Dolphins next week puts all three teams in a tie with the Dolphins having elimination rights over both teams. The game against Baltimore will be crucial for Miami but a win by Baltimore this week could open a door for Miami. If the Ravens win this week and all three teams end up tied for the 6th seed with Miami beating Baltimore as well, then San Diego is eliminated because both Miami and Baltimore beat them and then the Dolphins go in with a head to head against Baltimore. If San Diego loses, all is not lost.
San Diego will have a very tough schedule to finish out the season and it’s very possible that they could lose two or even three games down the stretch. If Baltimore loses this week the Dolphins could easily leapfrog them and then put them away next week. But Miami needs someone else to beat San Diego now.