The Miami Dolphins bolstered their playoff chances by beating the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday to get to 4-6 on the season. Up next: The 3-8 New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m.
Here’s a closer look at where things stand for Mike McDaniel’s team and whether they can make a run for the postseason.
Can the Dolphins Make the Playoffs?
After all the action in Week 11, the Miami Dolphins are 4-6 and now have a 21.4% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 0.0% chance for the 1 seed, a 0.1% chance for the second seed, a 0.7% chance for the third seed, a 0.4% chance for the fourth seed, a 1.9% chance for the fifth seed, a 5.8% chance for the sixth seed, and a 12.5% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Dolphins Win the AFC East?
Here’s what the AFC East race looks like after all the Sunday action in Week 11:
- The Buffalo Bills have a 98.8% chance to win the AFC East.
- The Miami Dolphins have a 1.1% chance to win the AFC East.
- The New England Patriots have a 0.0% chance to win the AFC East.
- The New York Jets have a 0.1% chance to win the AFC East.
Current AFC East Standings
- Buffalo Bills (9-2)
- Miami Dolphins (4-6)
- New York Jets (3-8)
- New England Patriots (3-8)
Dolphins’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 11
Can the Dolphins win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Miami has a 0.0% chance to win it all.
Dolphins’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 12: vs. New England Patriots
- Week 13: at Green Bay Packers
- Week 14: vs. New York Jets
- Week 15: at Houston Texans
- Week 16: vs. San Francisco 49ers
- Week 17: at Cleveland Browns
- Week 18: at New York Jets
What PFN Predicted for Raiders vs. Dolphins
The Dolphins’ offense hasn’t had a breakout game yet this season, but they’ve been trending in the right direction (77 points in the last three weeks); if there was ever a week for an explosion, this is it.
There’s a reason the Raiders have lost five straight. Outside of Maxx Crosby, the Vegas defense is talent-bereft.
Vegas ranks 30th in scoring defense (27.9 points per game) and 27th in red-zone efficiency (64.7%). The Raiders could also be without cornerback Nate Hobbs, who was held out of practice this week with an ankle injury.
But their offense might be even worse. The Raiders are sticking with Gardner Minshew II this week even though he’s 30th in QB+ (60.1, D- grade) and QBR (37.7), and 28th in EPA+CPOE (.038). They average 3.5 yards per carry as a team and have scored just 16 offensive touchdowns on the year.
The Dolphins’ game plan is simple: If they stop Crosby, they’ll win. Certainly, that’s easier said than done, given that right tackle Austin Jackson is out for the season with a knee injury. Our guess is McDaniel will provide plenty of help for backup Kendall Lamm.
Miami’s defense will be without cornerback Kendall Fuller (concussion), but Minshew will need time to take advantage of any opportunities presented to him. The Raiders’ offensive line, now coached by former Dolphins headman Joe Philbin, has allowed 30 sacks on the season.
PFN Prediction: Dolphins 23, Raiders 13