The Miami Dolphins will spend their Sunday battling the New York Jets, a team in their division that could be eliminated depending on what happens around the league this week.
With a 9-4 record entering Week 15, the Dolphins have a lead in the AFC East and are in second in the conference. Other teams will also take the field this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, which will impact Miami’s playoff odds and scenarios with less than a quarter of the season remaining.
Below is our rooting guide for this weekend’s slate of games while the Dolphins take on the Jets at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Vikings over Bengals
A Bengals loss would push them to a 7-7 record, lowering their chances of taking over one of the wild-card seeds, while an NFC victory doesn’t hurt Miami.
Lions over Broncos
This game is essentially the same thing. The Broncos are pushing to take a wild-card spot in a game against an NFC opponent. Miami should be backing their former coach, Dan Campbell.
Bears over Browns
The Browns currently hold the first wild-card spot, at the moment. A loss would keep the threshold for that first spot to below nine wins, just in case the Dolphins continue to struggle down the stretch.
Titans over Texans
Tennessee just beat Miami, but the aqua and orange should turn around a support them right back. Having another wild-card hopeful drop to an even 7-7 record would be beneficial.
Patriots over Chiefs
This is a long shot, but a Chiefs loss would give Miami some wiggle room to remain in the second seed even if they lose a game more than Kansas City in the final three weeks.
Cowboys over Bills
Knocking the Bills down to 7-7 would place them on the brink of elimination from the division and would hurt their chances of snagging a wild-card spot in the final three weeks.
Jaguars over Ravens
This game should be one of the best of the weekend with two of the top teams in the AFC battling for seeding. If the Ravens win, they maintain the top spot in the conference, but a loss could see them drop back down to second if Miami beats New York. And, considering the Dolphins play the Ravens coming up, they should be hoping for that.
