The Miami Dolphins enter Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season with a 10-4 record, two games ahead of the AFC East and in second place in the AFC playoff standings.
The Dolphins could leave Week 16 with a playoff berth and, with a little help, claim the AFC East title as well. What needs to happen? For a playoff spot, the Dolphins’ easiest path is to beat the Dallas Cowboys. Win and they enter. If they catch Dallas, several scenarios could still land Miami in the playoffs. If the Jacksonville Jaguars lose, the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans, the Colts lose or tie and the Cleveland Browns lose, the Texans and the Cincinnati Bengals lose or tie, or the Bengals and Colts lose or draw, Miami would do it with the winning draw. against Dallas.As for the AFC East, the Dolphins must win and the Buffalo Bills lose or tie, or Miami must tie and the Bills lose. The Bills play the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend. The Chargers are on the verge of elimination, and a loss to Buffalo will end any hopes of advancing late in the season. Could that be enough of a motivator for Los Angeles to pull off the upset? Miami is also in contention for first place in the AFC, but can’t get it this weekend. This position likely depends on who wins in Week 17 when the Dolphins visit the Baltimore Ravens. The winner of that match wins the head-to-head tiebreaker of the year, essentially securing the number one seed, along with the home-court advantage and wildcard exemption that comes with that position.The Dolphins have everything they wanted from the regular season ahead of them. They can begin the process of securing their playoff spot on Sunday afternoon.
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