See where surging Dolphins stand in AFC playoff picture

2 years ago 263

The Miami Dolphins (6-7) remarkably person not lone salvaged their play aft a 1-7 start, but person entered the hotly contested AFC playoff representation with 5 consecutive wins. With a suffocating defence and an improved Tua Tagovailoa, the Dolphins person a changeable astatine making the playoffs aft their disastrous commencement — though they are considered a longshot. ESPN’s Football Power Index lone gives the Dolphins a 4.6 percent accidental to marque the playoffs.

After a favorable portion of their docket that included games against the Houston Texans, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and New York Giants, the Dolphins extremity the play with a much hard stretch. After facing the Jets successful 2 weeks pursuing this week’s bye, a tougher trio of games astatine New Orleans Saints, astatine Tennessee Titans and vs. New England Patriots wrapper up the season.

Miami besides volition request tons of assistance from different contending teams, arsenic the Las Vegas Raiders and Indianapolis Colts ain tiebreakers implicit the Dolphins aft beating them earlier this season.

The Dolphins person missed the playoffs successful 17 of the past 19 years. They haven’t won a postseason crippled successful 21 years, dating backmost to a 23-17 overtime triumph implicit the Indianapolis Colts connected Dec. 30, 2000.

New England’s chaotic 14-10 triumph astatine Buffalo connected Monday nighttime lifted the Patriots to the No. 1 spot successful the AFC and knocked the Bills backmost successful the wild-card chase.

Here’s a look astatine the AFC playoff representation done Week 13:

DIVISION LEADERS

1. New England Patriots (9-4)

2. Tennessee Titans (8-4)

3. Baltimore Ravens (8-4)

4. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4)

WILD CARDS

5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-5)

6. Cincinnati Bengals (7-5)

7. Buffalo Bills (7-5)

IN THE HUNT

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5-1)