Ahh the playoffs. One of the more intriguing parts of the short NFL season. Scenarios abound! I haven't been excited about this aspect of the NFL in some time, but, since Miami is now in contention, I give a crap! Here is how the AFC stacks up so far (If the playoffs started today, which they dont, but IF they did):

1) Tennesee (Clinched division and 1st round bye) 12-2

2) Pittsburgh (clinched division and 1st round bye) 11-3

3) NY Jest (clinching their butts, hoping others lose so they get in lol) 9-5

4) Denver (someone has to rep the AFC West) 8-6

5) Indianapolis (Hottest team in the league right now, no lie) 10-4

6) Baltimore (Riding that D we hate sooooo much) 9-5

Just outside

7) Miami Dolphins (best franchise ever. miracle. Finishers) 9-5

8) New England (Refuse to roll over. Jerks. cheaters) 9-5

9) San Diego (another refusal to die, can still win the west! Lol) 6-8

Thats it. All other AFC teams are eliminated.

If Miami wins out (at Chiefs, at Jests) they win the AFC East (and would be seeded 3rd - which is the best they can finish). Same is true for the Jests (at Seattle, Miami), making the final game against each other a huge one (not to mention the storylines, Brett vs Chad, Chad vs the team that dissed him, etc etc). New England  (Arizona, at Buffalo) is circling like a buzzard, hoping both teams stumble along the way and THEY can win the East. If NE fails to win the east, they can still get into the playoffs with help). With all three teams currently tied, record within the division is crucial. Miami and NE split their games, if both ended with matching divisional records (4-2), the edge goes to Miami due to strength of victory (ours is bigger, lol). Miami can lose a game and still make the playoffs, but the chances of that are amazingly bad, as they'd need losses from way too many teams. Mental note to Fins: Don't freakin lose dudes!

 Anyway, it's important to note that we don't need to sweat New England as long as we do our part and win out. Best case scenario right now is to hope BALTIMORE (at Dallas, Jacksonville) loses at Dallas this coming Saturday. The game is huge.  If Baltimore loses, Miami automatically leap-frogs them into that 6th seed spot (assuming Miami does it's part and beats KC, no jinxes here by not accounting for reality - cough cough Miami kill KC please cough). This is game is also huge for Dallas. They have Tampa Bay and more importantly Atlanta with matching records right on their butts. A loss virtually takes Dallas out of the playoff equation. One of these teams will be outside the playoff bracket looking in and hoping for help by this game's end - we need to root for those Dallas jerks this Saturday. Anyway, with Miami in that 6th seeded spot, we arent guaranteed playoffs, as it would still be possible to lose to NYJ, and up with the same record as Baltimore, and get edged out on tiebreakers. Then why mention this? Because a loss by Baltimore literally puts them behind not just Miami but also New England and NYJ. Assuming Miami beats the Jests like they should, that could make Miami's playoff matchup a rematch vs NE, rather than the Ravens, whose defense scares me (I am assuming that the Colts win out, or finish with the number 5 seed in this scenario. It's looking pretty likely as they finish with the Jags then the defense depleted (injuries) Titans).

The other games of interest to us Dolphins fans (because controlling our destiny is nice, but we like it when our rivals eat crap and die too) are the Jests AT Seattle this week (NYJ's havent fared so well on the west coast. If they continue to play like garbage - and by all means, NY, please continue to play like garbage - they could lose this game and make the finale more interesting for themselves). And, of course, New England's remaining two games. NE has Arizona at home, then they visit Buffalo. I can only imagine what Arizona will bring to the table in that matchup. I think they can score on NE, but they are mistake prone and NE loves mistake prone teams at home, in the cold. Still, the optimist in me says that Arizona would like to win the NFC west with a better than 500 record. Maybe they'll bring their A game...lol, okay it IS Arizona. They can bring their usual C+ game and hope for the best. Lastly, Buffalo hasn't won a single division game. They'll be at home. Maybe somehow, someway, they rise up and stick one on NE and knock 'em out of the playoff race. Who better than a division rival to do that? Of course, Buffalo sucks and are also turnover prone. So keep winning Miami!!!

Also, the Steelers are at the Titans this week and that winner likely clinches homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Where's that dude who suggested that the NFL is rigged? The SAME weekend we also have NY Giants playing the Carolina Panthers and THAT could also decide homefield in the NFC. Whoa. That sounds planned to me. Now if only they could battle to see who is second best all-time franchise to Miami. Reason for that battle? To amuse the Dolphin fans, of course!

San Diego is hoping Denver loses this week so that forces a week 17 showdown for the AFC west. Yep. The Chargers are hoping to win the west with a pathetic 8-8 record. When all is said and done, while the Chargers MIGHT get past Tampa Bay this week and force that showdown, Denver plays Buffalo. Have a nice off-season, San Diego! Thanks for playing!

So am I close here? Any corrections that anyone wants to make? Bottom line - let the other teams scramble, and as long as Miami keeps their cool, and wins out like they oughta, all will be well!

And no matter what happens...just remember one thing...week 4 of this season I read laughter and a whole lotta "give it some time and dont get too ambitious" when the playoffs got prematurely especulated. Whatever happens next, and however it goes down...lets all remain positive, see the upside and appreciate how huge this season has truly been for those Dolphins and for us loyal fans. Hey, it's not like anyone outside of the true-blue-believers thought this was even possible! Lets enjoy it!