Fansided

NFL Playoffs 2016: 5 reasons Miami Dolphins will make it

By Parker Hurley

Nov 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) runs the ball as San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Korey Toomer (56) defends during the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) runs the ball as San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Korey Toomer (56) defends during the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) signals his team during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) signals his team during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

1. AFC West

Currently, the two Wild Card spots will go to the second and third place team in the AFC West. With that said, it is pretty rare in today’s NFL that three teams from one division make the playoffs.

That has to do with the parity in the league and the fact that the teams in the same division eventually knock each other out. As the three contenders in the AFC West go through the grind of their schedule, they all have at least one game against each other.

The Chiefs and Broncos have to square off twice, and the Chiefs will also have to take on the Raiders once more. The Raiders will also have one more game with the Broncos as well. That means at least four more losses will be spread around the AFC West. Then there are the Chargers, arguably the best 4-6 team in the NFL that still has the Chiefs and Raiders on the schedule.

The fact that the Dolphins only stand one game out can speak to how close they really are to making the playoffs. If they can take care of business, most of the other stuff will work itself out. They have the coaching, the lines on both sides of the ball and a quarterback to make a run. The schedule is favorable for them and they may be that team that nobody saw in the playoffs in October, but will be watching in the playoffs come January.

Home/NFL