Today's game was defeintly a heartbreaker but thanks to a couple other heartbreakers (OAK beating DEN) around the league we are still in decent position with regards to this whole playoff mess.   I know talking playoffs isn't what many of you want to hear,  Houston should be our number one consern but I think its always good to know what else is going on around the league so we know our possiblities

I'm not one to talk about where we could be as that will come during the offseason but more of where we can be and what it will take to make it happen.  If we can beat the Houston in a week from today we will have a great shot at making it.  This will be a really tough game. PERIOD but I believe at home with a good crowd this team can do it.

First things first we are going to need some help but looking at the games where the help is needed it actually looks really good in our favor.  Each team we are cheering against might be the underdog going into the game BAL and DEN when they lineup next week.  So below is the breakdown of the games still to come.  

Please note I am making the assumption that we can beat both the Steelers and Texans.  These are going to be very close and tough games.  As I'm sure we all know one loss and we are done but if we win we would still give ourselves a chance. 

This next week will be the toughest on the schedule for each team ahead of us in the current standings:

JAC v. NE - This game can go either way really and we will still have a shot.  If NE wins it will give the Dolphins the upper hand in the Wild Card and if JAC wins it will leave open the possiblity of winning the division.  I'm not sure who to root for in this scenario as the WildCard might be the best option we have although I would always prefer another home game and a AFC East Division Championship. 

BAL v. PIT - this game is probably the most important game for the Dolphins chances of securing a WC spot.  I like this game for the Dolphins simply because the Steelers are at home and just had a great win today over GB,  they will be pissed and are still hoping for a shot at making the playoffs as well.  Having BAL lose would give the Dolphins a shot in the arm they need as they will most likely have the tiebreaker over BAL when it is all said and done (tiebreaker would be strenght of victory).  

DEN v. PHI -  this game has a lot riding on it for each team so it will be intersting to see how it all plays out.  This game is also a home game for our rooting team and to top it off PHI is still in a battle for the division so I doubt they will be shutting it down despite the fact they already locked up a playoff spot today.  If DEN loses this game it will open the chance for the Dolphins to beat them out for a WC spot.  The tiebreaker would go to stregth of victory and at this time it is still very close with DEN holding a slight edge over the Dolphins. 

TEN v. SD - the truth is we need a TEN win in this game.  Both DEN and BAL have beaten the Chargers this year and if our tiebreaker goes down to stength of victory we will need all the help we can get.  The truth is TEN cannot catch us in the standings if we win out as there is no way there will only be 2 teams at 9-7 .. so in this scenario we would have the tiebreaker on Conferance record.  GO TITIANS !!!

Other games that matter for strength of scedule in Week 16- CAR v. NYG 

Week 17 games to watch that will help determine SOS -  JAC v. CLE and CIN v. NYJ

So to break it down all we need is a loss by the Broncos or Ravens next week to really make things matter. 

I can't wait til Sunday ... we are going to need a huge crowd to make it happen for the Dolphins next Sunday against the Texans.

GO DOLPHINS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!