Updated NFL playoff picture after Dolphins save season vs. 49ers
It wasn’t always attractive, and it was much tighter than it needed to be, but the Miami Dolphins were able to keep their postseason chances alive.
The Dolphins’ playoff hopes were cut short after the Ravens defeated the Steelers on Saturday. Miami still has to win its next two games against the Browns and Jets. This is a must. With one more loss, the Dolphins will be eliminated.
Miami still needs assistance. Denver must lose both of its remaining games against Cincinnati and Kansas City. The Bengals defeated the Browns in Week 16 and have the talent to defeat Denver, but the most important of the two remaining games will be against the Chiefs in Week 18. The Chiefs could secure the No. 1 seed, and if they do, they may rest starters, which could benefit the Broncos.
Despite all of this, the Dolphins still need the Colts to lose one game. They played the Giants and Jaguars in the last two weeks and easily defeated the Titans in Week 16.
Here’s the revised AFC playoff picture following the Dolphins’ victory:
| Playoff Seed | Team | Record | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | Chiefs | 14-1 (Clinched) | |
| No. 2 | Bills | 11-3 (Clinched) | |
| No. 3 | Steelers | 10-5 (Clinched) | |
| No. 4 | Texans | 9-6 (Clinched) | |
| No. 5 | Ravens | 10-5 (Clinched) | |
| No. 6 | Chargers | 9-6 | |
| |
The Dolphins have reduced the gap on playoff places and still have optimism heading into the last two games of the regular season.
| Seed | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| No. 8 | Colts | 7-8 |
| No. 9 | Dolphins | 7-8 |
| No. 10 | Bengals | 7-8 |
The Dolphins will have a final opportunity in Los Angeles. The Chargers might give the Dolphins a postseason place if they lose both of their last games and the Colts lose at least one.
The Dolphins are still in a long shot. The Dolphins’ chances of making the playoffs climbed from 6% to 12% after Sunday’s win.
The truth is that the scenarios are fairly straightforward. Either the Broncos or Chargers must lose both of their last games, while the Colts must lose at least one of their last two.
Read more news on https://sportupdates.co.uk
Leave a Reply