NFL

NFL News: Dolphins face tough playoff path, starting with a must-win against the 49ers

The Miami Dolphins face such a challenging playoff scenario that their chances of advancing are slim. Not only do they need to beat the San Francisco 49ers, but they also rely on a series of complex outcomes from other teams to keep their hopes alive.

Mike McDaniel, head coach of the Miami Dolphins
© Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesMike McDaniel, head coach of the Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins have just over a 5% chance of making the playoffs, relying on a complex equation that requires the team to win all their remaining games—starting with a crucial matchup against the San Francisco 49ers—and hope for several other teams to suffer unfavorable outcomes.

According to Dolphins Muse, the Dolphins must not only win their next three games against the 49ers, Browns, and Jets but also hope the Chargers lose two of their remaining three games (they’ve already lost one). Additionally, either the Broncos or Ravens must lose all their remaining games for the Dolphins to stay in contention.

One key piece of the puzzle has already fallen into place, giving the Dolphins a slight boost: the Colts needed to lose a game, which they did in Week 15 with a 13-31 road loss to the Broncos.

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The Chargers still have three games remaining in the current regular season, but with their recent back-to-back losses—one against the Chiefs and another against the Buccaneers—this situation becomes a key factor in the Dolphins’ playoff equation.

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The Key: Win Three Games

The Miami Dolphins still have a critical part of the equation to fulfill by winning their next three games. The first will be against the San Francisco 49ers at home, but the other two are on the road against the Browns and Jets.

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At least the Dolphins have already beaten the Jets in Week 14, but that was their most recent win. After that game, they lost to the Texans on the road. Their away record stands at 2-5-0, which makes the odds less favorable for Miami in their final two games of the season.

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