Even though the New England Patriots clinched the AFC East yet again with a win Sunday over the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins also became big winners as they moved into the final Wild Card playoff spot – for now.
Miami moved ahead of the defending Super Bowl champs for the sixth seed in the AFC race after Sunday’s results. While the Dolphins can clinch a playoff spot by winning their final two games – at Buffalo this coming weekend and at home against the Patriots on New Year’s Day – there are scenarios where Miami can afford at least one loss and still go to the postseason for the first time since 2008.
With two games left in the season, Miami holds a one game lead over the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Denver for that final spot. The Dolphins would win tiebreaker scenarios over both Tennessee and Denver due to a better record in conference games – assuming Miami wins at least one more game.
If the Dolphins lose their last two games, they can still guarantee a playoff spot – assuming each of the teams trailing them also lose a game.
While Miami is one game ahead of the Ravens in the playoff hunt, they may actually become big fans of Baltimore for the rest of the season. The Ravens hold tiebreakers over the Dolphins based on their 38-6 win on December 4th and a better conference record this season.
If the Ravens win their final two games, they would win the AFC North and that division’s current leader – the Pittsburgh Steelers – would fall into the race for the final Wild Card spot.
Miami holds the tiebreaker over the Steelers based on their win October 16th and would hold on to that advantage as long as they have at least the same record when the season ends.
