Dolphins playoff scenario: How Miami clinches postseason in Week 16

Despite a four game losing streak early in the year, an offensive tackle who defected, a guard who has been suspended, an ongoing NFL investigation, a media circus, injuries to key players, and a myriad of other issues, the Miami Dolphins are playing meaningful late-December football in 2013. How meaningful? Not only is Miami in the middle of the playoff race in the AFC, but they are to the point where they could actually clinch a postseason berth in Week 16.

With the completion of the Week 15 games, including last night's Monday Night Football contest with the Baltimore Ravens beating the Detroit Lions, we can actually lay out the road map for exactly what has to happen for Miami to punch their January tickets. It all starts with the Dolphins facing the Buffalo Bills in New York this weekend in the 1pm ET time slot. If Miami is able to beat their AFC East rivals, evening the season series after losing to Buffalo in Miami earlier this season, they will have taken the first step toward a Week 16 clinch.

While the Dolphins are taking on the Bills, the Cincinnati Bengals will be hosting the Minnesota Vikings. For the Dolphins to claim the playoff berth, they will need the Vikings to leaving Ohio with a win.

Then, with a 4:25pm ET kickoff, the New England Patriots will visit the Baltimore Ravens. If New England, who the Dolphins beat this past weekend, were to come out on top of the defending Super Bowl champions, the Dolphins would lay claim to the final playoff spot.

Grid View

• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - The Dolphins newly painted end zones. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Dolphins cheerleaders perform pre-game as the Miami Dolphins prepare to face the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - The Miami Dolphins huddle in the tunnel prior to their entrance onto the field for their Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins mascot TD leads the flags onto the field for the opening introduction of the Dolphins prior to their Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - The Miami Dolphins player entrance for the team's Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake runs onto the field prior to the team's Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins guard Sam Brenner is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins guard John Jerry is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins tackle Tyson Clabo is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins tackle Bryant McKinnie is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins wid receiver Rishard Matthews is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is introduced prior to the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller follows center Mike Pouncey during the first quarter of the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - The Miami Dolphins line up on offense against the New England Patriots in their Week 15 game. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins defenders Paul Soliai (96), Philip Wheeler (52), and Cameron Wake (91) during the team's Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes during the first half of the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) fires off the line of scrimmage in the first half of the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws a first half pass as Miami Dolphins linebackers Dannell Ellerbe (59) and Philip Wheeler (52) pressure him. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) runs with the ball during the first half of the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - The Miami Dolphins punt the ball during the first half of their Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake (91) hits New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) just after a pass was thrown in the first half of the Week 15 contest. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins offensive line coach Jim Turner talks with center Mike Pouncey (51) at the end of the first quarter in the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins guard John Jerry (74) and center Mike Pouncey (51) change ends of the field as the first quarter ends in their Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins tight ends Michael Egnew (84) and Dion Sims (80) and wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) change ends of the field as the first quarter ends in their Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) lines up against New England Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington (25) in the second quarter of the teams' Week 15 meeting. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) lines up against New England Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib (31) in the second quarter of the teams' Week 15 meeting. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay (42) in the second quarter of the team's Week 15 meeting with the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins running back Marcus Thigpen (34) lines up against New England Patriots linebacker Jamie Collins (91) in the second quarter of the teams' Week 15 meeting. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) lines up against New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard (37) in the second quarter of the teams' Week 15 meeting. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins tight end Dion Sims(80) lines up against New England Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington (25) in the second quarter of the teams' Week 15 meeting. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) completes a pass to tight end Michael Egnew (84) in the second quarter of the team's Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders perform during the second quarter of the New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins Week 15 game. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) drops back to pass against the New England Patriots in a Week 15 contest. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas (33) carries the ball in the second quarter of the team's game against the New England Patriots during the NFL's Week 15. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins wide defense huddles during the second quarter of their Week 15 contest against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll in the second quarter of the team's game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) and safety Reshad Jones (20) prepare to run a play in the second quarter against the New England Patriots in the second quarter of their Week 15 meeting. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) and linebacker Philip Wheeler (52) prepare to run a play in the second quarter against the New England Patriots in the second quarter of their Week 15 meeting. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan during the second quarter of the team's Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) makes a catch in the second quarter of the team's Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace (11) receives a pass in the second quarter of the team's Week 15 game against the New England Patriots. Wallace would score a touchdown on the play. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins players celebrate a second quarter touchdown against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider
• Dec. 15, 2013 Miami Gardens, FL - Miami Dolphins flag team and Play 60 Kids celebrate after a second quarter touchdown from the Dolphins against the New England Patriots. Kevin Nogle - The Phinsider

The Dolphins are actually in control of their own destiny at this point. As long as they win both the Bills game and their Week 17 contest against the New York Jets, they will make the postseason. That makes the Patriots and Ravens game even more interesting. If the Dolphins win and the Bengals lose in the early afternoon time slot, should Dolphins fans want the Ravens to lose, giving the Dolphins the playoff berth, but seeing the Patriots clinch the AFC East division championship, or would it be better to see the Ravens win on Sunday, keeping the Patriots within Miami's reach for the top spot in the division?

If New England were to lose to the Ravens, then lose to the Bills in Week 17, while Miami wins both of their remaining games, Miami would come away with the division title. Interesting problem to have, isn't it?

If you would rather see Miami simply claim their playoff position this week, you want a Dolphins win and losses from the Bengals and Ravens. However, to keep the division in play, the Ravens would have to win, meaning the Patriots would lose. No matter which option you would prefer to see in Week 16, the Dolphins are playoff bound as long as they win both of their remaining games.

So, which would you prefer?

More from The Phinsider

Follow @thephinsider Follow @SBNationNFL

• Keith Beebe's 2014 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
• Brent Grimes, Nolan Carroll injuries lead Dolphins to make roster moves
• NFL Power Rankings: Week 16
• NFL.com: Incognito to remain on suspended list through end of season
• Patriots vs Dolphins recap: First half in pictures