Dolphins' Rooting Guide for NFL Playoff Bracket Implications of Week 14
The Miami Dolphins reside in an ideal position in Week 14.
The Dolphins host the New York Jets in a game they are expected to win. A victory would allow them to gain ground on both the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
Denver and Indianapolis are on Week 14 byes, so neither side can pick up advantages of their own in the AFC wild-card race.
Miami's only way into the postseason is through a wild-card spot, and although the teams in the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds are well ahead of them right now, the Dolphins would love all the help possible to open up as many paths to the playoffs as possible.
Chiefs over Chargers
With Denver and Indianapolis off, the Dolphins' wild-card focus will turn to the pair of eight-win teams ahead of them.
The Los Angeles Chargers are in a great spot to help the Dolphins' wild-card hopes since they visit the Kansas City Chiefs.
While it is unlikely that the Dolphins catch the Chargers, a Kansas City win would bring them within two games of Jim Harbaugh's side.
The Chargers have a string of three tough games in front of them against Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Denver, so there is a slight possibility that they drop back closer to the Dolphins.
At minimum, a two-game gap between the Chargers and Dolphins would at least generate some more hope that a wild-card position is attainable for Miami.
Cowboys over Bengals
Miami wants to be one of the two chasers of wild-card spots over the final few weeks of the regular season.
For that to be the case, the Cincinnati Bengals need to drop more games, including Monday night's trip to Dallas.
Cincinnati is just one game back of the Dolphins, and with a favorable schedule in hand over the next few weeks.
Miami needs the Dallas Cowboys to pull off the upset with Cooper Rush at the helm so that it isn't looking over its shoulder at any potential threats throughout December and January.
Steelers over Browns
With Denver, Indianapolis and Baltimore all off in Week 14, Miami doesn't have many rooting interests to care about.
The Cleveland Browns aren't a threat yet in the wild-card race at 3-9, but they have generated some momentum for themselves in recent weeks with Jameis Winston under center.
A Cleveland loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers would keep the Browns far down the standings for good.
The Browns play Kansas City, Cincinnati, Miami and Baltimore to finish out the season, and if they lose to Pittsburgh, it could spiral a losing streak they can't get out of.
With the way the AFC stands, there's a chance the Dolphins are just one of two teams chasing a wild-card spot in the final few weeks.