Phin Phanatic
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Who Miami should root for around the NFL on Sunday

By Gabe Genovesi

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Cheerleaders during the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints at Wembley Stadium on October 1, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Cheerleaders during the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints at Wembley Stadium on October 1, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images) /
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As we enter week 13 of the NFL season Miami’s playoff hopes are quickly fading away, that’s what five straight losses will do. However, the Dolphins are not eliminated yet so let’s take a look at who Dolphins fans should be rooting for around the league Sunday.

The AFC standings currently look like this:

  1. Pittsburgh (9-2)
  2. New England (9-2)
  3. Tennessee (7-4)
  4. Kansas City (6-5)
  5. Jacksonville (7-4)
  6. Baltimore (6-5)
  7. Buffalo (6-5)
  8. Cincinnati (5-6)
  9. LA Chargers (5-6)
  10. Oakland (5-6)
  11. NY Jets (4-7)
  12. Miami (4-7)
  13. Houston (4-7)
  14. Indianapolis (3-8)
  15. Denver (3-8)
  16. Cleveland (0-11)

Of course, the top six teams make the playoffs with the five and six seeds being Wild Card spots.

Here are the matchups in the AFC this week:

Tennessee Titans vs. Houston Texans—Titans

Miami and Houston are both 4-7. A Dolphins win and Houston loss moves Miami ahead of the Texans.

NY Jets vs. KC Chiefs—Chiefs

The Jets are the third 4-7 team in the AFC. A Chiefs win keeps them in first in the AFC West. A Phins win and Jets breaks the tie with Jets.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts—Colts

Jacksonville currently holds the 5th spot in the AFC. Miami is one game up on the Colts. Therefore, a Dolphins win and Indianapolis victory keeps Miami one game ahead of the Colts and pulls them closer to Jacksonville.

Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots—Patriots

Yes, Dolphins fans, root for New England here. The Bills are tied for the last playoff spot and two games up on Miami. The Patriots will win the division. A Miami victory and Bills loss gets the Dolphins one game closer to Buffalo.

Baltimore Ravens vs. Detroit Lions—Lions

This one is simple. The Lions are in the NFC. Baltimore currently holds the last AFC playoff spot. If they lose and Miami wins, the Dolphins are only one game back of Baltimore.

LA Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns—Browns

Pray for a miracle. Cleveland needs to get their first win of the season this week. If the Chargers lose and Miami wins both teams will be 5-7, and the Dolphins beat LA to begin the season.

Oakland Raiders vs. NY Giants—Giants

Another AFC vs. NFC matchup. Miami fans, hope Geno Smith can play the best game of his life this weekend. An Oakland loss and Miami victory puts both teams at 5-7.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers—Steelers

The Steelers are way ahead of the pack in the AFC North. A Cincinnati loss and Miami win means each team will be 5-7 heading into week 14.

That’s all the games that have playoff implications for Miami this week. Most people would say the season is over, and the Dolphins should start looking at the 2018 draft.

I understand that but hey, it’s always fun to play the ‘what if’ game.

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