Miami Dolphins in wild mix for final playoff spot in AFC
The Dolphins may have been off last weekend, but losses to both the Titans and Bengals inched them closer to a Wild Card spot. They are now one of five teams with a 5-5 record fighting for the final playoff spot.
Every team goes through injuries, but what the Miami Dolphins have had to endure in 2018 has exceeded normal. Miami has been unable to escape any game this season without losing a key member. Upon the completion of their 31-12 loss in Green Bay, the Dolphins had just three starters on offense that started for them back in week 1. The bye week couldn’t have come soon enough for Miami.
The Dolphins used the off week to get healthy as best they could. Although on Monday they placed WR Jakeem Grant on injured reserve, the Dolphins got some better news on Tuesday. After missing the last five games, QB Ryan Tannehill practiced during Tuesday’s session, and looked well enough for Miami to declare him the starter for Sunday against the Colts.
For a team with a number of misfortunes on the year, it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Dolphins. Even though Miami has looked considerably bad since starting the year 3-0, they are 5-5 with a shot still at the playoffs. This past weekend, they got some help from other teams.
Both Cincinnati and Tennessee lost over the weekend, and there are now five teams with 5-5 records all fighting for the sixth and final playoff spot. The Chargers also lost over the weekend to the Broncos, but with a 7-3 record, they look to have at least one of the Wild Card spots locked up. That leaves the Dolphins, Ravens, Bengals, Titans, and Colts, all battling for that final spot. The Broncos (4-6) and the Browns (3-6-1) sit in the rear view as well.
The Ravens defeated the Bengals over the weekend in a battle between division foes. With the victory, Baltimore currently holds the final playoff spot. Although they have a favorable matchup this weekend at home against the Raiders, it gets tough for the Ravens down the stretch. Their final three road games of the season are against the Falcons, Chiefs, and Chargers. With John Harbaugh possibly on his way out, the odds are likely that Baltimore will slip out of that final spot when it’s all said and done.
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The Bengals hold the tie-breaker over Miami after their win in week 5, but since then they’ve struggled. Cincinnati has lost four of their last five games, with their only win coming against the Bucs at home by 3 in a game that Tampa Bay almost completed the comeback. Yes, they’ve missed A.J. Green over the last few weeks, but he doesn’t play defense, and the truth is, the Bengals have given up an average of 36.4 points per game over this five game span. Cincinnati still has road matchups with the Chargers, and the Steelers in the final week. They also will face a better than advertised Denver team in week 13. The reality is that the Bengals have not looked like a playoff team as of late, and will need to turn things around quickly if they are to have any shot.
The Titans are a tough team to get a read on. Miami defeated Tennessee in week 1 in a game that lasted over seven hours due to weather delays. After that, the Titans won three straight, and looked to be in the driver seat to win the AFC South. However, Tennessee lost their next three games, which included a loss at Buffalo, and a home shutout at the hands of the Ravens.
Tennessee was a two-point conversion away from defeating the Chargers in London, however, and then followed that loss with two impressive victories. The Titans convincingly defeated the Cowboys in Dallas on Monday Night Football, and then shockingly dismantled the Patriots 34-10 in week 10. Their momentum was shut down, however, last week in their big showdown with the Colts in Indianapolis, where they were embarrassed 38-10.
To be fair, of the five teams involved in this tie, the Colts are easily the hottest team of them all, and should be considered the favorites to land the final playoff spot. The Colts started the year 1-5, but have now won four straight. Two of those games were against Buffalo and Oakland, but they were in convincing fashion, and it’s evident that Indianapolis is gaining confidence week by week.
Like the Dolphins, the Colts have had to deal with a bunch of injuries on the year, but they’re starting to get healthy again, and at the right time. This week’s game is very important for both teams, and should be treated like a playoff game. Miami is fortunate to get Ryan Tannehill back this week as they would have virtually no shot if Brock Osweiler had to make another start.
The Colts will still be the favorites heading in, however, and the defense is going to have to have one of their best games of the year to pull off the victory. Even if they do, it’s still a long road for them to make the playoffs, but it would put them in a good position. The Dolphins still have two meetings with Buffalo remaining, and a home matchup with the Patriots. Miami has had success against New England at home, and this is not one of the better Patriots teams that we’re used to seeing.
The Dolphins will also visit the Vikings, and host the Jaguars in weeks 15 and 16, respectively. Both of those teams have been Jekyll and Hyde types all season, but clearly underperformed compared to where they were this time last year.
If Miami can find a way to win five of their last six games, you can almost assure they will have that final playoff spot. It’s possible they could do it with nine wins, but they may need some help if that’s the case. Considering all that this team has been through this year, and what the experts projected for them at the beginning of the season, a playoff berth would be a major accomplishment for this team.
Sure, there is still much to criticize this team for, and I myself, have delivered plenty of it. Even if Miami did make the playoffs, I don’t think they would make it out of the first round. But another playoff berth would give head coach Adam Gase a ton of praise in a year where many believe that he should be on the hot seat following this season. If Miami does make it to the postseason again you can guarantee that he’ll be in South Florida come next year, and don’t be surprised if there’s an extension offered to him between now and then.