The NFL playoff picture is really starting to heat up. With the halfway mark to the NFL season, we are starting to see the bubble teams start to emerge. Thanks to COVID-19, the NFL playoff picture has expanded to seven teams from each conference.
The AFC has a tight race with all top seven teams sitting with five wins. There are currently four teams with five wins that stretch from the No. 4 to No. 7 seed. As the playoff picture continues to change, these three bubble teams are going to find a way into the playoffs.
Cleveland Browns
Despite losing to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, the Browns have an easy path towards qualifying for the NFL Playoff Bracket. At 5-3, the Browns sit in a great position to get to 10 wins. The Browns have a great chance to win at least five of their next eight games. Their next eight games include matchups with the Texans, Eagles, Jaguars, Titans, Ravens, Giants, Jets, and Steelers.
The Jaguars, Texans, and Jets have a combined record of 2-20 this season. Then, throw in the tragic NFC East opponents in the Eagles and Giants with their combined 4-10-1 record. Even with Odell Beckham Jr. lost for the season, the Browns have enough on offense to blow past these teams. The Browns are sitting on the bubble but should be able to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins looked revived with Tua Tagovailoa starting at quarterback, but it wasn’t even the offense that shined on Sunday. During the team’s 28-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams, it was the defense and special teams that stood out. Tua only needed to throw for 93 yards in the team’s win. Imagine what could happen if Tua lives up to the hype as the No. 5 overall pick in the draft?
The Dolphins have a date with the Cardinals and Chargers next. At 4-3, Miami is currently looking in and will need to win at least one of those two games. After that, the Dolphins could go on a four-game winning streak with the Broncos, Jets, Bengals, and Patriots on the schedule. It’s not going to be easy, but the Dolphins are legit playoff contenders as of Week 9.
Indianapolis Colts
ESPN’s Mike Greenberg claimed that the Colts would not make the playoffs on his show last week, but the Colts have the most momentum heading into the second half. Week 8 was the team’s bye week and Indy decimated the Lions 41-21 on Week 7. The Colts needed that momentum because they are about to embark on a grueling stretch.
The team’s next four games feature dates with the Titans, Packers, Ravens, and then the Titans again. Those are four potential playoff teams; however, the Colts have the third-best defense in terms of yards allowed per game (292.2). If Phillip Rivers can limit the turnovers, it’s not asinine to think that the Colts could go 2-2 in that stretch.
After that, the Colts would play the Raiders, Texans, and Jaguars in three of their next four games. The Colts have the toughest schedule out of the remaining 5-win teams, but with a defense as good as theirs, they should be able to pull off a winning streak.