Dolfan Viewer Guide To Week 12: Who To Root For

Alright, as you should know by now, ESPECIALLY if you've read this blog, the Miami Dolphins are in the drivers seat for the final AFC wild card spot.

They sit tied with the Jets as of today, with two games remaining against their division rival.

HOWEVER, this doesn't mean you shouldn't be rooting for them tomorrow.

In-fact, Miami Dolphin fans SHOULD want the New York Jets to pull it out against the Baltimore Ravens.

Seriously.

Why?  Well, take a look at my week 12 viewer guide for you Dolfans.  Who to watch, who to root for, and what it all means.


NEW YORK JETS @ BALTIMORE RAVENS

As I just said, it's in the Dolphins best interest for their bitter rivals to win tomorrow. Baltimore has already beaten Miami, which means they own the tiebreaker at the end of the season if those two should find themselves in that position.

A Baltimore loss, coupled with a Miami win, would effectively give the Fins a two game lead over the Super Bowl champs with five games to play.  When you don't have the tiebreaker, that's huge.

Now, a case CAN be made to root for the Ravens.

Their schedule is much tougher down the stretch compared to the Jets (Baltimore still has to play Detroit, Cincinnati, and New England.  The only team New York plays that's over .500 right now is Carolina).

A Jets loss and a Miami win puts the Fins in the outright lead for the 6th spot.

And, well, it's the Jets.

HOWEVER, ask yourself this:

Who are you MORE concerned with?  Geno Smith, or the defending champs who already have the tiebreaker over you?  


PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ CLEVELAND BROWNS

Miami beat the Browns in week one, so any tiebreaker would go to the Fins.  Two weeks from tomorrow, Pittsburgh will host Miami in a huge game with major implications going forward.  This one's easy:  Root for a Cleveland win.  They're not a real threat to Miami, and putting as much distance as possible between the Steelers is key for the Fins.

TENNESSEE @ OAKLAND

This may come as a shock to most, but the Oakland Raiders currently hold the 7th seed in the AFC, one seed behind the 6th and final playoff spot.  However, how much of a threat are the Raiders?  IF you look at their upcoming schedule, I think you'd agree that they're really not.

@ Dallas

@ N.Y. Jets

vs Kansas City

@ San Diego

vs Denver

I can see one win in there, MAYBE two.  Regardless, it seems that Oakland should fade away in the coming weeks.

As for Tennessee, while their schedule isn't quite as intimidating, it will still pose major problems for a team without their starting QB the rest of the way.  Following this game, the Titans will travel to Indianapolis and Denver in back to back weeks, only to come home to host an under the radar Arizona team.

So who do you root for here?  I'd go with Oakland.  Let them win this week, knock Tennessee out of it, and look for both to fade away by December.

SAN DIEGO @ KANSAS CITY

This one's easy.  Kansas City has a playoff spot locked down.  San Diego is hanging on by a thread.  Root for the Chiefs to bury the Chargers once and for all tomorrow.


Now, obviously this all looks MUCH better with a Miami win, something that will be a TREMENDOUS challenge.  As always, for that prediction, you'll have to come back tomorrow!

Picks and predictions coming up later.

ONE. DAY.