Dolphins Get the Win, But Week 13 Leaves Their Playoff Hopes on Life Support
The Miami Dolphins walked away from Week 13 with a win, but it felt more like a formality than a real step forward. Yes, they handled their business on the field, but the scoreboard in other stadiums told a different story-one that all but slammed the door shut on their already-slim playoff hopes.
At 5-8, Miami’s record doesn’t exactly scream postseason contender, and that’s the problem. They’ve been playing solid football lately-enough to at least give head coach Mike McDaniel some footing heading into the offseason-but the hole they dug earlier in the year is proving too deep to climb out of. This isn’t about a lack of effort or talent down the stretch; it’s about time running out.
The Numbers Game Isn’t in Their Favor
The Dolphins entered the weekend with four wins and managed to notch their fifth. But here’s the harsh truth: they’re still chasing a pack of AFC teams that are sitting comfortably at 8-4.
That’s a three-game gap with only five weeks left in the regular season. Mathematically, it’s not impossible.
Realistically, it’s a long shot.
The playoff picture got a shake-up this week, but not in a way that helped Miami. The Colts’ loss bumped the Jaguars into the AFC South lead, which dropped Indianapolis to the 6th seed.
Meanwhile, the Bills’ win over the Steelers pushed Baltimore into the top spot in the AFC North, knocking Pittsburgh out of the top seven. All of that movement might sound like chaos, but none of it opened the door for the Dolphins.
The Jaguars, Colts, Bills, and Chargers all sit at 8-4, firmly in control of their postseason destinies. Even the Texans, who picked up a win this week, now have seven victories.
That’s two more than Miami, and in a playoff race this tight, every game counts double. The Dolphins will face the Steelers in two weeks, but unless things drastically shift, that matchup might only serve as a tiebreaker that never comes into play.
A 1% Chance and a Whole Lot of “What Ifs”
Right now, Miami’s playoff odds are hovering around 1%, according to NFL.com. That’s not exactly the kind of number that inspires hope.
For context, even the 4-8 Bengals are sitting at 2%, and the 3-9 Jets-who picked up a win on Sunday-are also at 1%. It’s not a flattering neighborhood to be in.
The only way the Dolphins’ outlook improves is if a perfect storm hits the AFC. They’d need teams like the Bills and Jaguars to stumble-hard-and they’d need to run the table themselves. It’s a long list of “ifs” and “maybes,” and none of them are under Miami’s control.
Week 14: The Last Flicker?
Still, Week 14 could offer a glimmer of hope. The Ravens and Steelers face off, the Texans and Chiefs clash, and the Colts and Jaguars go head-to-head. If all three of those games break Miami’s way, they could find themselves just two games back with four to play.
But even that scenario doesn’t change the fundamental truth: the Dolphins need help. A lot of it. And even if the dominoes fall perfectly next weekend, they’ll still be relying on a cascade of favorable outcomes over the final month just to sneak into the conversation.
Playing for Pride-and the Future
With the postseason looking more like a pipe dream, Miami’s focus shifts toward building momentum and evaluating what they have moving forward. The good news?
The team hasn’t quit. They’re still competing, still fighting, and still giving ownership a reason to believe in the current coaching staff.
That matters. Because while this season may not end in a playoff berth, how the Dolphins finish could shape what comes next. And in a league that never stops moving, that kind of clarity can be just as valuable.