5 reasons the Miami Dolphins will make the playoffs without Ryan Tannehill

1. The remaining schedule is a cakewalk

Miami’s next two games are on the road, against the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills, and bad weather is virtually guaranteed in both contests. But the Jets are playing out the string at 4-9, and with Bryce Petty as their starting quarterback, so winning games will be a challenge. The Bills have fallen to the fringe of the AFC playoff picture with  a 6-7 record, with job security questions around head coach Rex Ryan and starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

In Week 17, the Dolphins will welcome the New England Patriots to Hard Rock Stadium. The game will probably matter a lot to them, as long as they take care of business against the Jets and Bills. The Patriots may have nothing at stake by then, in terms of playoff seeding or a possible first-round bye, and even if head coach Bill Belichick dismisses the notion of resting players in that scenario it will make sense to do so.

Next: NFL Week 15: Odds for each game

Tannehill’s injury has created a problem for the Dolphins, but it’s nothing compared to the turmoil surrounding both the Jets and the Bills right now. Wins in Week 15 and Week 16 should come relatively easily, however ugly it might look all things considered, which sets up a possible “win or go home” scenario for the regular season finale. If New England doesn’t play their best players for that entire game, the odds the Dolphins get a win they might need will go up substantially.