The Dolphins made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, but their postseason chances in 2024 are hanging on by a thread. Miami is one of three teams who entered this week with eight losses and 2.5 games out of a playoff spot.
At one point this season, Miami was 2-6 and well out of playoff position. Since then, however, the Dolphins have won six of their past eight games to at least give themselves an opportunity to make the playoffs this year.
The Dolphins played their final home game of the season this week, as they beat the 49ers in Miami, 29-17. That keeps Miami’s playoff hopes alive for at least one more week. While the Dolphins go on the road in their last two games this year, both of those games are against teams with at least 10 losses.
Here’s where the Dolphins’ playoff picture stands with three weeks left in the regular season.
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Dolphins playoff picture
The Dolphins have already been eliminated from AFC East contention, so their only chance to make the playoffs is by earning a wild-card spot.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 16
AFC wild-card standings
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 5. | Baltimore Ravens* | 10-5 |
| 6. | Los Angeles Chargers | 9-6 |
| 7. | Denver Broncos | 9-6 |
| 8. | Indianapolis Colts | 7-8 |
| 9. | Miami Dolphins | 7-8 |
| 10. | Cincinnati Bengals | 7-8 |
*Clinched playoff spot*
The Dolphins kept their season alive by winning a must-win game against the 49ers.
The Ravens clinched a playoff spot with against the Steelers on Saturday. Since the Chargers beat the Broncos on Thursday night, Denver couldn’t clinch a playoff spot on their own accord this week. However, the Bengals and Colts also both won this week, so neither Los Angeles nor Denver clinched a playoff spot in Week 16.
Both the Chargers and Broncos can clinch a berth in the postseason with wins next week. All three of the Bengals, Dolphins, and Chargers need to win out to even have a chance of making the playoffs.
Dolphins remaining schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| Dec. 29 | @ Cleveland Browns | 4:05 p.m. ET |
| Jan. 5 | @ New York Jets | TBD |
The Dolphins close the season against two teams who each have a record under .500, giving Miami some hope that they can win out. In order to make the playoffs, the Dolphins go on the road to beat the 3-11 Browns and 4-10 Jets, along with losses from teams ahead of them in the picture.
Dolphins updated playoff chances
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, entering this week, the Dolphins had a 3.7% chance of making the playoffs, which was behind Cincinnati but ahead of Indianapolis.
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