Pitiful Picks: Will the Dolphins win & make the playoffs?
Chargers -9 over Chiefs
Ahh, the other game that the Dolphins need to go their way. The Chiefs are locked into the 5th seed in the AFC and have nothing to gain or lose by this game. In situations like this in Philadelphia, Andy Reid chose to rest his starters (which is smart) and he has indicated he will likely do the same in this game. The Chargers will know if they’re still alive by the time this game kicks off. They need the Dolphins and Ravens both to lose for them to have a shot at the playoffs. But, even if the Chargers are knocked out of playoff contention, I still think they win this game. Mike McCoy has turned the Chargers around and will look to finish the season strong with a win, improving them to a 9-7 record. Prediction: Chargers 31 Chiefs 16
Eagles -7 over Cowboys
I hate games like this. You know, games that seem to overwhelmingly favor one team? The Eagles offense has been one of the best in the NFL this season and the Cowboys defense has been atrocious. Add to that, the fact that the Cowboys will have Kyle Orton starting at quarterback and logic will tell you that this game could get ugly. Everything tells me that the Eagles will win this game in a blowout, winning the NFC East. But in the NFL, you just never know, which is why this line is only 7 points. In the end, I’m going with logic and going with the Eagles. Prediction: Eagles 34 Cowboys 24
Dolphins -6 over Jets
Here we go, the biggest of all the games on Sunday (for Dolfans at least). The Dolphins must win or they are eliminated from the playoffs. I think the Dolphins rebound from their hideous loss last week to the Bills. The Jets will definitely put up a fight, but I think the Dolphins defense will force a couple of turnovers from Geno Smith and the offense will get back on track. I think the Dolphins passing game will open things up for the running game because Anotonio Cromartie is playing with a banged up hip and Dee Millner is still too inconsistent. I think Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline will both get the yards necessary to make them the Dolphins first pair of 1,000 yard receivers since the Marks Brothers.
So there you have it! If these results hold up, the Dolphins will return to the playoffs for the first time since 2008. I’ve said all week, I think the Dolphins will get the help they need, either from the Bengals or Chargers (possibly both)….they just need to hold up their end of the bargain and beat up on the stinking Jets. The added bonus is that a win could very well be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and leads to Rex Ryan’s firing.
So here are how I see the final seedings for the playoffs shaping up:
AFC: 1. Broncos, 2. Patriots, 3. Bengals, 4. Colts, 5. Chiefs, 6. Dolphins
NFC: 1. Seahawks, 2. Panthers, 3. Eagles, 4. Packers, 5. 49ers, 6. Saints
If this happens, here’s a look at how the first round of the playoffs will look:
AFC: Chiefs @ Colts and Dolphins @ Bengals
NFC: 49ers @ Packers and Saints @ Eagles
Wow, I still can’t believe I’m writing about the Dolphins having a chance at the playoffs. It’s never happened before. Why? Because PhinNation has only been around since 2010, so I haven’t had the privilege of covering a post season game. In fact, we haven’t really even had a week 17 with playoff hopes still in tact! Here’s hoping that our Pitiful Picks this week aren’t too far off, especially with the AFC games. Enjoy all of the football today, it’s going to be awesome!
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