Dolphins' Playoff Picture Tightens Ahead of Week 15
Full Transcript
The Miami Dolphins face a critical Week 15 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. A victory would elevate Miami's record to 7-7, while simultaneously pulling the Steelers down to the same record, which is crucial for Miami's playoff aspirations.
The Dolphins need to keep winning, as the AFC North title will likely be contested between the Steelers and the Ravens, with one of them securing a playoff spot and the other falling into the wildcard race.
For Miami, a Ravens win over the Cincinnati Bengals would be advantageous, as it would eliminate the head-to-head tiebreaker that Baltimore holds over the Dolphins. In addition, Miami is closely monitoring the outcomes of other key matchups.
The Houston Texans currently hold the final wildcard position, and the Dolphins would benefit from a loss by either the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Indianapolis Colts, who are also vying for the AFC South title.
Miami needs the Arizona Cardinals to defeat the Texans, as this is an NFC versus AFC matchup. The Jets, already eliminated from playoff contention, face the Jaguars, and a Jacksonville win would keep the Jaguars out of the wildcard race, which is advantageous for Miami.
The Chargers and Chiefs are also in the playoff picture, and while the Dolphins would have preferred a Chargers loss, the current situation suggests LA will claim the first wildcard spot. A win for the Chargers would help Miami by moving them ahead of Kansas City, providing Miami secures a win against the Steelers.
Lastly, the Buffalo Bills lead the Dolphins by three games and are expected to secure a wildcard spot, though anything can happen in the coming weeks. The New England Patriots are on the verge of locking up the AFC East title, and a Packers win over the Broncos could lead to the Patriots resting their starters in Week 18, which might benefit Miami if they need a win to secure a playoff berth.
The stakes are high for the Dolphins as they approach this pivotal moment in their season, according to The Phinsider.