The Miami Dolphins’ path to the postseason has become awfully simple. After a 20-3 win against the Cleveland Browns, the Dolphins are 8-8 and just a game behind the 9-7 Denver Broncos for the final playoff spot in the AFC.
Thanks to a superior record against AFC teams, the Dolphins would win a tiebreaker if both teams finished 9-8.
So that leaves the following scenario that would see the Dolphins to sneak into the playoffs next weekend:
- Dolphins win against Jets
- Broncos lose against Chiefs
It’s as simple as that.
The Dolphins will be a significant favorite against the 4-12 Jets, but the Chiefs getting a win may be the taller ask. On Christmas, Kansas City secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC, meaning the team is likely to rest its starters with nothing to gain in Week 18.
That probably means the Dolphins’ postseason hopes rest in the hands of Chiefs backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who is the presumed starter next week against the Broncos.
According to NFL.com, the Dolphins have a 28 percent chance at reaching the playoffs.
If both the Broncos and Dolphins lost, the Cincinnati Bengals could take the final spot instead.
