The Gift That Keeps on Giving

By: Hussam Patel

This feels unreal. Am I dreaming? Someone pinch me. Did we actually win this game?
 
Just a couple of statements every fan said after a magical win against the Las Vegas Raiders. I’m going to be honest, I really did not see this coming and baffled that Rod Marinelli called Cover 2 instead of prevent D.
 
Colonel Sanders proved to be Automatic. A perfect 4/4 and drilling a game winner putting the Dolphins in playoff contention. Brian Flores does not care what you think of him pulling Tua in for Relief pitcher Ryan Fitzpatrick.
 
It’s been an incredible 24 hours for this team and its fan-base:
 
The New York Jets are out in their bid for the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. Winning 2 in a row and giving the Browns a shocking loss moving the Browns to the 6th seed.
 
Big Ben and the Steelers rallied from a 24-7 deficit against the Indianapolis Colts and pulled of a Comeback of the ages winning 28-24 knocking the Colts out of a low seed and in the hunt for the playoffs. Essentially, moving the Dolphins up to the 5th seed.
 
Which is crazy, who would have thought at one point in the season the Miami Dolphins would be the 5th seed after a tanking season. The Dolphins can make the playoffs with any of these situations next week:
 

• Win against Buffalo.
• Browns lose to Steelers
• Colts lose to Jaguars
• Ravens lose to Bengals

 
If any of these scenarios happen, the Dolphins are in play for the 5th, 6th or the brand new 7th seed. Currently the Dolphins stands at an 82% probability of making the playoffs per ESPN FPI. Yes this feels real. A real possibility of Playing either in Tennessee, Buffalo or Pittsburgh.
 
The best scenario is Miami to outright win against Buffalo and have the luxury of help to lock in the 5th seed and play against the Titans in the wildcard. Although, I would rather play in Pittsburgh.
 
To add icing on the cake, the Houston Texans lost to the Cincinnati Bengals 37-31 pushing the first of the Dolphins two first round picks into the top 5. The Dolphins could still get the 3rd overall pick even if the Falcons lose next week because of SOS pending the Texans losing against the Titans. There’s a .03 difference between the Texans and Falcons schedule, the Panthers Winning against Washington certainly helps.
 
This time of year is the gift that keeps on giving. A potential Top 5 pick and Miami has a plethora of options to choose in the draft. Do they draft Parsons? If Miami gets the 3rd or 4th pick will they pick Sewell or trade back to a QB needy team? Do they stick with the pick and get the top receivers in Ja’Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith?
 
Miami has a luxury this draft and this is only Year 1 of the rebuild. Chris Grier has found the talent in last years draft and can add more play-makers and additional depth pieces. The Miami Dolphins have found their Head Coach in Brian Flores and regardless of who is in at QB this team is all in to the culture.
 
Onto the Bills in an attempt to make the playoffs.