Updated Playoff Picture Following Sunday Late Games

The Miami Dolphins did their part today.

They got a CRUCIAL, season saving win in New York to move them to 6-6 in a WIDE OPEN wild card race.

Now, as I told you earlier in the week, in order for the Fins to gain possession of that final wild card spot, they needed either Tennessee or San Diego to win, which would create a three way tie with the Ravens, and effectively give Miami the advantage in the tie breaker.

Well, neither of that happened.

San Diego lost to Cincinnati, and Indianapolis beat Tennessee.

Therefore, as of today, the Baltimore Ravens are in possession of the 6th playoff spot.

Why?

Well, remember that game back in week 5 against the Ravens?  The one I pegged as "the biggest game of the year."

The Dolphins lost that game 26-23, which means Baltimore owns the head to head tie breaker when Miami and Baltimore are the ONLY two teams tied.

If it was a three-way tie, or even a four-way tie, the tie breaker would then come down to conference winning percentage, which gives the edge to Miami.

However, don't let this derail your hopes, Dolfans.

Today was still a HUGE success for the Miami Dolphins.  They eliminated one more wild card hopeful, put themselves in a very good spot going forward, AND also gained a bit of breathing room with Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and San Diego all losing.

With four games to play, the Miami Dolphins are the only other team in the AFC besides the Ravens with a 6-6 record.  As of today, the wild card now comes down to those two teams.

Baltimore hosts Minnesota next week, then goes to Detroit, comes back home for New England, and ends the year in Cincinnati.

Miami goes to Pittsburgh, hosts New England, heads to Buffalo, then ends the year with the Jets in Miami.

By my count, the Dolphins will make the playoffs by winning three of those four games.

So basically, you have to beat Buffalo and the Jets, and find a way to beat either Pittsburgh or New England.

But forget all of that for tonight.  None of it matters yet.

The only thing that matters, for today at least, is the Miami Dolphins are 6-6, and are coming off their most complete victory of the year.

Enjoy it.  Relish it.

Steelers week starts tomorrow.