its likely possible, but i won't believe, yet

how the Phins can make the playoffs even before the finale against NE...

This Week:

* Dolphins beat Jets

* Pittsburgh wins at Cincinnati OR Philadelphia beats Baltimore

* New England wins at Denver.

* Kansas City beats Tennessee.

Next Week:

* Dolphins win in Buffalo

* Pittsburgh beats Baltimore at home on Christmas Day (ho, ho, ho).

* Kansas City beats Denver.

If all those dominoes fall, the Dolphins are in even before the final week. That’s pretty unlikely, of course. But here’s the thing: Vegas favors every game to fall that way right now for this week’s games. Next week? They’ll all probably be favored to happen except the Dolphins winning in Buffalo.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/dave-hyde-blog/sfl-hyde5-how-the-dolphins-make-playoffs-even-before-finale-20161213-story.html

dare i believe its possible? shall i let this team that has so often dashed my hopes sucker me in, again?  NO! NO! NO!  i must see to believe.  one week at a time.  beat the Jets and then we'll worry about the next week.

All the help the Phins need from other teams seems very possible, maybe even likely.  My problem is that I don't see us winning at both New Jersey AND at Buffalo...not with Matt Moore and likely no running game.

We'll see...we've been in this exact position before, needing to beat the Bills and Jets (both with crappy records) at the end of the season, and we shit the bed.  I'm not convinced that this season will be different.  Just not a believer in any team led by Matt Moore.  But I've been wrong about the Phins almost every week this season - hopefully they'll surprise me again!

To me it's all on the defense. If we are not constantly playing from two scores down, I like our chances. But if we fall way behind..........

As long as Matt Moore and drive the ball down field, Ajayi run game comes back to life and the defense don't fold in the 4th Miami will win against the Jets and Bills. Miami somehow beats the Pats at home so lets hope that happens again. if Miami finishes 11-5 this would be a amazing thing.

It would be the first time my Buckeyes and Dolphins were both in the playoffs! It would make for a fun holiday season.

To me it's all on the defense.

Totally agree. I was pleasantly surprised by our defense against the Cards, especially with Alonso out of the lineup. We contained David Johnson, Fitz did nothing, and generated a ton of turnovers and sacks. Great job overall.

The late rally by the Cards was disappointing, but with Tannehill out our offense was not doing much until the very end.

Against Buffalo and NY, we need a similar defensive performance. It should not be too much to ask, given both teams do not have the talent at WR, QB or RB that Arizona has. With that said, they are not devoid of talent either - Watkins, McCoy, Marshall, Forte are all legitimate threats.

These are division opponents, and we're playing away in the cold weather. Even with Tannehill, Pouncey and Reshad Jones in the lineup, I'd still have to couch my words with a "should win, must win, but no guarantees at all." What we are facing is much more difficult than that with these three key players out.

At this point, it's just my battered old fan self preventing me from believing. They've proven me wrong 8 times this season. I should have faith they can get it done against two flawed squads, even on the road.

It's going to take a total team effort.  Even if the D plays lights out, we're not winning if the offense only puts up 6 points as they did in Baltimore.  

We need all hands on deck for these last 3 games...every player on every unit needs to step up.  Score TDs on offense, force turnovers on defense, make big plays on STs - and cut down on the damn penalties.

Even if the D plays lights out, we're not winning if the offense only puts up 6 points as they did in Baltimore.

Good point, and I agree.

The Cardinals came in with an excellent defense, and Baltimore also has a top ranked unit. I know the Jets are good on D, but are they THAT good? I don't think Buffalo is all that great on defense either, we just might see Ajayi get back on track even without Pouncey.

Moore is going to have to give us some plays, and some TDs. There's a chance that "Good Moore" shows up for at least one off these next three, and gets us at least one more W.

white 1 wrote:The Cardinals came in with an excellent defense, and Baltimore also has a top ranked unit. I know the Jets are good on D, but are they THAT good? I don't think Buffalo is all that great on defense either, we just might see Ajayi get back on track even without Pouncey.

The Jets and Bills are up and down on defense.  Both are really strong up front, but they both get weaker as you move through to the LBs and DBs - especially the Jets.  And both teams lack big-time pass rushers.  And that includes the Bills' Lorenzo Alexander, who has 10 sacks overall but just 1 since week 8.  On paper, I think the Bills have a VERY strong D...it just doesn't always show up on gameday.

That said, both units are capable of dominating at times.  I don't think we can run on either team...Steen will get eaten alive by those D-linemen. 

And offensively, both teams run the ball well - with the Bills being #1 in the NFL with over 150 yards a game.  Also, the Bills are +24 in point differential...the Phins are -20.

Very, very difficult games for a backup QB.  Like you said, we need to see a lot of "Good Moore" and  stout defense in order to have a chance.  My biggest concern is turnovers...can Moore limit them and can our D force them???

Honestly, even 9-7 would feel like a success to me. But looking at the closing schedules for Denver and Baltimore, I'm not giving up on making the playoffs just yet. 10-6 might well do it.