The Dolphins survived a close (and highly important) game on Christmas Eve, squeezing past the Cowboys with a narrow, 22-20 victory that came down to the final drive.
It was a potential Super Bowl preview. And it was enthralling, especially after Dak Prescott looked to have led Dallas to a potential game-winning score with 3:27 left.
Tua Tagovailoa and Miami proceeded to embark on a 12-play, 64-yard drive to bury Cowboys hearts. Jason Sanders’ chip shot found the target as time expired, moving the Fins one step closer to a divisional crown.
Miami has been locked in a frantic battle with the Bills for the AFC East title, one made all the more interesting after the Fins suffered back-to-back losses in Weeks 14 and 15.
Pole position in the AFC East is still attainable for Buffalo at present. However, the Dolphins’ win certainly makes the Bills’ margin of error that much slimmer.
Here’s what to know about how Miami’s victory impacts the race for the AFC East throne.
AFC East standings
The Bills remain second in the AFC East standings with the Dolphins sitting atop the division with an overall record of 11-4. The path to winning the division is very much alive for Buffalo. But it’s in danger of slamming shut completely.
Rank Team Record 1 Dolphins 11-4 2 Bills 9-6 3 Jets 5-9 4 Patriots 3-11
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Dolphins remaining schedule
The Dolphins are firmly in control of their destiny when it comes to capturing a divisional crown, sitting a full two games in front of the 9-6 Bills.
There is but one problem: Miami has the second-toughest remaining schedule in the NFL, poised to take on the AFC-leading Ravens and those Bills in its final two games.
The Fins need one win in their final two games to clinch the AFC East title. If they were to win both matchups, they very well could be looking at a No. 1 seed in the AFC outright.
Below is a look at their final two contests this year:
Week Team Record 17 at Ravens 11-3 18 vs. Bills 9-6
Miami’s opponents have a combined strength of schedule of .690. Only Washington (.724) will take on better opposition to end its campaign.
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Bills remaining schedule
The Bills sit two games back of the Dolphins for first place in the AFC East.
It’s not the best place to be, admittedly. However, Buffalo will be heartened by the fact that it blew its divisional counterpart away when the two sides met back in Week 4.
Prior to their all-or-nothing matchup, the Bills will face off against the 3-11 Patriots, a team they outlasted in Week 8.
Buffalo will keep its eyes peeled for the result in the Week 17 contest between the Dolphins and the Ravens. If Miami wins, it will clinch first-place in the AFC East.
But if Baltimore is able to vanquish its marine-related foe — and assuming the Bills get the job done against New England — it could set up a do-or-die matchup for divisional bragging rights.
Week Team Record 17 vs. Patriots 3-11 18 at Dolphins 9-6
The Bills own the head-to-head tiebreaker at present. Two victories to end the year, coupled with a Miami loss to the Ravens, could hand them an AFC East title.
While there are plenty of conditions needed for Buffalo to win the division, just one needs to be reached to clinch a playoff spot: the Bills have to win one of their final two games to secure at least a wild-card position. Their road to the postseason got a lot easier after the Bengals, Colts and Texans all dropped games this weekend.
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