I just toyed around with the playoff simulator on ESPN.com and was not able to create a scenario where 10-6 did not get the Dolphins in the playoffs. In some scenarios it even got them the number 5 seed. So yes a 10-6 might miss the postseason this year, it just won't be a 10-6 Dolphins team.
Hmmm, I did on my first try. Actually, here's a scenario where four 10-6 teams, including the Dolphins, miss out:
I also had a a hard time knocking Miami out of the playoffs at 10-6. I think it would take a ton of very unlikely wins for that to happen.
Mixed feelings re: Pats... if they lose two in a row there is virtually no chance they don't come out HEAVILY motivated and on FIRE against us, wanting to prove something. Then again, if they lose and we win Sunday it sets the table for us to take the div lead with a win over them, doesn't it?
Yes. I would take that every day and twice on Sunday. I don't buy the theory that teams play better after a loss, especially a Bellichek led team vying for home field advantage.
I'd like the Browns to upset Indy. We may be competing against Indy for homefield if we somehow tie NE for the division lead.
LOL I meant scenarios that might actually happen. Anybody here think Buffalo is going to win the division and New England will be a wild card? Come on.
I would gladly bet everything I own that the Bills are not going to go 4-0 while the Patriots are going to go 2-2.
If KC and Buffalo win out... we don't make it in at 10-6. I know... long shot, but that scenario kicks us out, also. At 11-5... I have not found anyway we are kicked out. We win out and we are in... that is the only way we control out own destiny... that I can see.
LOL I was trying to be extreme with "10-6 teams", but there are plenty of more plausible scenarios where 10-6 won't be good enough for us:
Interesting. I think we're pretty safe from most of those though because I don't think San Diego is good enough to go 11-5 [they'll lose to NE this Sunday and probably Denver] and Baltimore's not going to do it either. Buffalo's probably not winning more than 9 either.
The fact of the matter is though, if we win out... we are in. Nobody can stop us if we win out. It's our only way of truly controlling our own destiny.