Miami Dolphins playoff picture: Everything is coming up roses for Miami
The Miami Dolphins got a well-deserved bye last week, which gave the Dolphins the opportunity to give its ailing roster a chance at getting healthier. However, the Dolphins' playoff prospects strengthened last weekend without the team having to pay a snap. The Dolphins increased their lead in the AFC East to a game and a […]
The Miami Dolphins got a well-deserved bye last week, which gave the Dolphins the opportunity to give its ailing roster a chance at getting healthier. However, the Dolphins' playoff prospects strengthened last weekend without the team having to pay a snap.
The Dolphins increased their lead in the AFC East to a game and a half, as the Buffalo Bills fell at home to the Denver Broncos 24-22.
The AFC East now looks like the following:
The AFC standings further favored the Dolphins, as the Dolphins drew even with the Jaguars record-wise and with the Baltimore Ravens in the loss column.
1) Kansas City 7-2
2) Baltimore 7-3
3) Jacksonville 6-3
4) Miami 6-3
5) Pittsburgh 6-3
6) Cleveland 6-3
7) Houston 5-4
In the hunt: Cincinnati 5-4, Indianapolis 5-5, Buffalo 5-5, Las Vegas 5-5
The Chiefs were idle and sit with more than a game lead on the Dolphins due to the head-to-head win Miami in Germany. Miami will have a chance to climb up and past Baltimore, as the Ravens and Dolphins are scheduled to meet in Baltimore on December 31. Miami won a thriller at Baltimore last season, rallying from a 21-point deficit twice to stun the Ravens 42-38.
The Dolphins are also even with the Jaguars, but the latter has the current tiebreaker based on strength of victory. With 8 weeks left in the regular season, that can still change.
With the Bills facing a tough upcoming schedule and the Dolphins with two games against the Jets, Miami has a chance to distance themselves from the rest of the division before Buffalo and Miami face off in Week 18 at Hard Rock Stadium. And if Miami can get hot in the second half, they could see some teams above them in the conference in their rearview mirror as well.
Stated timetable potentially places Miami Dolphins in Aaron Rodgers’ crosshairs
If Rodgers’ estimated return date proves true, then he could be back for a very big AFC East showdown
