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Miami Dolphins watch as Jets lose but how does that affect playoffs?

By Brian Miller

Dec 22, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) watches from the sideline after being pulled from the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) watches from the sideline after being pulled from the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Dolphins got to watch the New York Jets get demoralized by their own fans on Thursday night but how does that change the playoff picture?

At the half, Zach Wilson and the Jets left the field to an enormous amount of boos and other not-so-nice Christmas wishes.

It was a dumpster fire and we may have seen the last of Zach Wilson in New York. Replaced in the 2nd half by Chris Streveler, whose appearance on the field alone got the crowd energized, the Jets couldn’t do anything against the Jaguars defense. The best the Jets could do, was score three points on their first possession. One that started on the Jaguars side of the field after a fumble.

So promising out of that season gates, the Jets simply have fallen apart lately and now the playoffs may be out of reach. As it stands now, the Jets have a 9%  chance to make the postseason if the Patriots win on Saturday.

New York is now below .500 at 7-8 and dropped behind the Jaguars who also are 7-8. The fight for the final playoff spot now appears closer to be a two-team race between the Dolphins and Patriots who play each other a week from Sunday.

Interestingly enough, the Jaguars now control their own destiny within the AFC South. The Titans, who currently lead the division are 7-7 and the final game of the season will pit the Jaguars and Titans against each other. Why does this matter to Miami?

For starters, if the Dolphins should climb into the 5th spot, they will play the AFC North winner, a trip up I-95 could happen if the Jaguars win the South. In order for that to happen, the Chargers and Ravens would have to drop another game. As it stands now, the 7th seed will play the Chiefs in Kansas City and for now, the 6th seed will travel to the Bengals or Ravens depending on who wins the North.

The loss by the Jets does not directly affect the Dolphins yet. Miami will play the Jets in week 18 but if the Dolphins win this week against Green Bay and the following week against the Patriots, the Jets game should have little if any playoff implications as it appears that most of the seeding will be set before kickoff the final weekend.

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