How the Miami Dolphins can end the Buffalo Bills' season

The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills will square off on Sunday Night Football with a couple of big prizes on the line: the AFC East crown and the #2 seed in the AFC. However, there could be a lot more at stake for the Bills on Sunday night than the Dolphins. Where the Dolphins clinched […]

Craig Smith — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer

Jan 3, 2024 1:00 PM EST

The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills will square off on Sunday Night Football with a couple of big prizes on the line: the AFC East crown and the #2 seed in the AFC.

However, there could be a lot more at stake for the Bills on Sunday night than the Dolphins.

Where the Dolphins clinched a playoff spot with their 22-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys, the Bills have yet to clinch. As such, there is a direct path where the Dolphins could be in position to knock the Bills out of the playoffs with a win on Sunday night.

What has to happen? First, the Pittsburgh Steelers must win on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. As well as the Ravens are playing right now (as Miami knows), they have the #1 seed locked up and could end up resting their starters for a significant portion of the game. Vegas certainly thinks that's the case, as the Steelers are currently a 3.5-point favorite.

Next, the Jacksonville Jaguars must win against the Tennessee Titans. The reeling Jags seemed to find their groove last week against the Carolina Panthers in a 26-0 romp, while the Titans continue their slide towards the end of the season. The Jags are presently a 5.5-point favorite.

Lastly, the game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texas cannot end in a tie. In other words, just one of those 9-7 teams has to win to get to 10-7. As rare as ties are in the NFL, that seems like almost a given.

As such, if the betting favorites win, then the Bills will be in a situation where they will need a win or tie against Miami to avoid missing out on the playoffs altogether. While the Dolphins are fighting through a myriad of injuries, they are still a tough team to beat at home.

It will certainly be a big challenge for the Dolphins on Sunday night. However, there is a legitimate shot that if they can top Buffalo and claim their first division title since 2008, they can deliver a death blow to the Bills' season in the process.