The Miami Dolphins are in a unique position in the AFC right now; they are a playoff team with a stacked wide receiver room and their starting quarterback.

The same can't be said for many of their potential playoff opponents. 

After injuries hit hard during the past week, Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson are both out for the rest of the season, and while their teams will still be tough to beat in their absence, this should make life easier for Miami in the end.

No one has to like the methods that we got here, but the Dolphins very clearly have the best offense in the AFC with the most weapons, and any games that come down to shootouts should highly favor what Miami brings to the table. There is plenty to like with that.

The same can't be said for the Browns and, more recently, the Bengals.

Deshaun Watson was already ruled out for the rest of the season earlier this week, creating some questions in Cleveland about the playoff viability of the rest of their roster down the stretch, but hell-they have won games with PJ Walker already this season. That team is as stacked at almost every other position as any other roster in the league. Still, the Dolphins have quite an advantage now in the event of any future matchups.

As for the Bengals, the loss of Joe Burrow for the rest of the season should be enough to close the lid on this season. The Bengals aren't nearly as talented as their rivals in most of the areas that count the most, meaning they pose little threat to the Dolphins.

With the Ravens looking like they are the team to beat in the division and the Steelers shockingly winning game after game, the Dolphins should have it made in the shade if they face off against any AFC North teams in the first round of the playoffs (outside of Baltimore).

The Bengals could do everything right and steal one of the last playoff spots from one of the weaker fringe teams, but that just puts the Dolphins' defense in a position to tee off against a backup quarterback. Could there be a better outlook for the first week of games that matter?

The playoffs are sure to still carry some extremely high level of play that will be indicative of teams that aren't willing to roll over and lose, but the loss of franchise leaders on two contenders has made life look a little easier for the Dolphins.

Dolphins are set to see a return of biggest battle on the team

The competition is going to heat up again.