Next 2 weeks likely make or break the season

[EKnight]

With 2 games in a 5 day stretch, Phins season likely hinges on the next 10 days. 4 1/1 point fav against Tennessee Sunday, and likely to be favored against the Bills, if they win both, a Wild Card is still possible. If they lose either or both, I doubt it will happen. Despite outscoring opponents 170-149, Miami still gets killed in the fourth, being outscored 60-31. Seems like a broken record there. If the Phins can fix this issue, they have hope. As of right now, they'd have to jump the Colts and Steelers to get in, with tough games against Seattle, New England and SF up next. IMO, 8-8 isn't going to get a WC, and 6-4 heading into the rough 3 game stretch could still keep Miami above .500 coming out of it. Losing either of the next two games likely doesn't have that happen, and I don't believe 6-7 with three remaining gets it done. -EK

[Brian Fein]

I'd say the next three weeks and throw the Seattle game in there too.  I expect Miami to win all three of those games.  If they don't, the outlook become dismal.

[EKnight]

Seattle's tough. They've obviously gotten some lucky breaks, but their defense is tough and I feel like they're a better 5-4 than Indy is. I'm not sure that's a "gimme." -EK

[Pappy13]

Agreed. Miami HAS to win the next 2 because they should win them. No excuse not to win them.

If you extrapolate out the season from here, Miami has very 4 winnable games left of their 8 game schedule. Buffalo twice, Jacksonville and Tennessee. They *should* win all 4 of those games.

That means they likely have to win at least 1 of the other 4 games to have a shot at the playoffs, New England twice, Seattle at home and SF away. Probably not going to win at SF. Going from East coast to West coast is never an easy trip and SF is a REALLY good team that matches up well with Miami.  I think we have a chance of taking 1 of 2 against New England just because we usually end up playing them tough at least once every year. I like our chances against Seattle at home because that's a tough West Coast to East Coast trip for them.

My guess is that we take the game with Seattle, but lose one of the 4 games we should win. That means those games with New England are probably going to determine the Dolphins playoff chances. They are probably going to need to win one of them to have a shot at the playoffs and since the last game is in New England, it'd be better for them to win the one at home.

[Spider-Dan]

Part of me hopes we lose early in that stretch, so I can cut loose my desperate hopes for a 10-6 finish followed by a divisional playoff loss.  I think this team is seriously flawed and doesn't stand much of a chance against the good teams.

That being said, if the '01 Patriots can run the table (beating the '01 Rams in the process), I guess anything's possible.  Why Not Us?

[Pappy13]

Part of me hopes we lose early in that stretch, so I can cut loose my desperate hopes for a 10-6 finish followed by a divisional playoff loss.  I think this team is seriously flawed and doesn't stand much of a chance against the good teams.

I completely agree, but watching a playoff game would still be a hoot. I knew Miami was gonna be demolished in 2008 against Bal but I still had 1 game to watch after the end of the regular season which is a win in my book no matter what happens.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

That being said, if the '01 Patriots can run the table (beating the '01 Rams in the process), I guess anything's possible. 

Dat is true. 

I would also dare say the '12 Dolphins beating the '12 Patriots in the playoffs would be a hell of a lot less shocking than the '85 Patriots beating the '85 Dolphins in the playoffs. 

[MikeO]

The bar was set so low going into the season that i am not even thinking playoffs and honestly don't care. Win between 6- 9 games. Have Tannehill play well. And this season is a success to me. Year 1. Rookie head coach. Rookie QB. I would be happy with that.

[Brian Fein]

For me, I just want to grow out of the "league laughing stock" role.  Give it back to Cleveland or Cincinnati.  We want to be respected and relevant.

[Cathal]

^^^ I don't know if it's a big deal or not, but I'm guessing we've moved out of that role this year. http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2012-11-06/worst-team-organization-browns-jaguars-raiders-sn-midseason-players-poll

[MikeO]

For me, I just want to grow out of the "league laughing stock" role.  Give it back to Cleveland or Cincinnati.  We want to be respected and relevant.

I think Jacksonville owns that title for the near future! When they start playing "half" their home games overseas they will own it forever!!

But seriously this notion that " the next 2 weeks make or break the season" is silly. EVERY GAME is important. So its ok if we win the next 2 but then lose the first game after that? But if we lose to Tenn this Sunday then win the following two games that's not OK? The whole notion is downright silly. EVERY GAME IS IMPORATANT! There are no "make or break" games the 2nd week in November. The NY Giants were 6-6 on Dec 4th last year won the rest of their games (except for a HOME loss vs a bad Skins team) and still won it all! This notion that there are make or break games the 2nd week of November when the Dolphins are at .500 is downright laughable! Every game is important....period!

[Landshark]

For me, I just want to grow out of the "league laughing stock" role.  Give it back to Cleveland or Cincinnati.  We want to be respected and relevant.

I think the Dolphins no longer have that label. 

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

For me, I just want to grow out of the "league laughing stock" role.  Give it back to Cleveland or Cincinnati.  We want to be respected and relevant.

You are not even the laughing stock of the AFCE anymore -- the Jest have that title. 

[EDGECRUSHER]

I think Jacksonville owns that title for the near future! When they start playing "half" their home games overseas they will own it forever!!

But seriously this notion that " the next 2 weeks make or break the season" is silly. EVERY GAME is important. So its ok if we win the next 2 but then lose the first game after that? But if we lose to Tenn this Sunday then win the following two games that's not OK? The whole notion is downright silly. EVERY GAME IS IMPORATANT! There are no "make or break" games the 2nd week in November. The NY Giants were 6-6 on Dec 4th last year won the rest of their games (except for a HOME loss vs a bad Skins team) and still won it all! This notion that there are make or break games the 2nd week of November when the Dolphins are at .500 is downright laughable! Every game is important....period!

While every game is important, I think what's trying to be said is that if we win the next two and go 6-4, we are in a good position for the playoffs. Odds in our favor, whereas if we lose the next two we go 4-6 and odds heavily against us. What happens in the games that follow ultimately decide our fate, but the next 2 games will be a great indicator.

[MikeO]

While every game is important, I think what's trying to be said is that if we win the next two and go 6-4, we are in a good position for the playoffs. Odds in our favor, whereas if we lose the next two we go 4-6 and odds heavily against us. What happens in the games that follow ultimately decide our fate, but the next 2 games will be a great indicator.

every game is important. To put extra importance on the Week 10 game over the Week 11 or 12 game is silly