There’s no overstating the magnitude of Sunday’s Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins showdown at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dolphins’ playoff scenarios are as significant as they are straightforward:
If they win or tie, they’re the No. 2 seed and won’t have to leave home until the AFC Championship Game (at the earliest).
If they lose, they’re the No. 6 seed and will probably need to win three road games to reach the Super Bowl.
Miami Dolphins Playoff Scenarios Entering Week 18
That doesn’t mean there is no intrigue to the Dolphins’ Week 18 playoff scenarios.
The opposite is true.
Not all Wild Card opponents are created equal, and if things fall right for Miami, the road to Las Vegas could be relatively smooth.
Some of that is within their control. Much is not.
Here are all the Dolphins playoff scenarios, with a first look at their three potential opponents.
Editor’s Note: Miami’s loss to the Bills on Sunday night means the Dolphins will travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs on Saturday night.
Kansas City Chiefs | 10-6, First in AFC West
- Location: Arrowhead Stadium
- Chiefs home record: 5-4
- What needs to happen: Dolphins loss
- Strength of victory: .450
- PFN Power Ranking: Eighth
- DVOA: Fourth (19.9%)
- Offensive EPA: 10th (.030)
- Defensive EPA: Sixth (-.067)
- 2023 result vs. Dolphins: Chiefs 21, Dolphins 14 (Week 9)
- Estimated line (courtesy of Caesars): Chiefs -2.5
Buffalo Bills | 10-6, Second in AFC East
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium
- Bills road record: 3-4
- What needs to happen: Dolphins win
- Strength of victory: .444
- PFN Power Ranking: Third
- DVOA: Third (22.8%)
- Offensive EPA: Third (.099)
- Defensive EPA: 10th (-.053)
- 2023 result vs. Dolphins: Bills 48, Dolphins 20 (Week 4)
- Estimated line (courtesy of Caesars): Bills -1
Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-7, Third in AFC North
- Location: Hard Rock Stadium
- Steelers road record: 4-3
- What needs to happen: Dolphins tie
- Strength of victory: .535
- PFN Power Ranking: 14th
- DVOA: 11th (5.8%)
- Offensive EPA: 23rd (-.064)
- Defensive EPA: 11th (-.05)
- 2023 result vs. Dolphins: N/A
- Estimated line (courtesy of Caesars): Dolphins -4.5
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