# NFL scenerios

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-scenerios/478417>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [December 23, 2008, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-scenerios/478417 "2008-12-23T06:28:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![copperwindow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-scenerios/478417/1 "2008-12-23T06:28:28Z")

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Can the dolphins get into the playoffs without beating the jets? What happens if they tie the jets and the patriots lose? What happens if the jets beat them and the patriots and the ravens lose? Or is the ravens, patriots, and dolphins all tie?

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**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-scenerios/478417/2 "2008-12-23T07:40:09Z")

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In each of your scenarios, the Dolphins end up in the playoffs for having a better in-conference record. Currently, Miami’s conference record is 7-4, while New England’s is 6-5, so as long as the Pats lose, Miami has a lock on the playoffs. (Ditto that if both teams tie their respective games.)

Should the Dolphins pull this off, somebody in Vegas will be a very happy man.

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**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-scenerios/478417/3 "2008-12-23T23:22:33Z")

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> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#):
>
> Should the Dolphins pull this off, somebody in Vegas will be a very happy man.

So will [my wife](http://www.sirblah.com/photo/view.php?album=Fins%20Beat%20Pats&mode=&pic=Img_2444.jpg&picindex=0).

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**Author:** ![copperwindow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-scenerios/478417/4 "2008-12-24T02:19:45Z")

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> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#):
>
> In each of your scenarios, the Dolphins end up in the playoffs for having a better in-conference record. Currently, Miami’s conference record is 7-4, while New England’s is 6-5, so as long as the Pats lose, Miami has a lock on the playoffs. (Ditto that if both teams tie their respective games.)
> 
> Should the Dolphins pull this off, somebody in Vegas will be a very happy man.

Is there any way for them to lose and still make the playoffs?

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**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\
**Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-scenerios/478417/5 "2008-12-24T03:03:53Z")

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> [@copperwindow](#):
>
> Is there any way for them to lose and still make the playoffs?

Miami Dolphins

Can clinch the AFC East division with:

1. a win, OR
2. a tie and a New England loss or tie.

can clinch a playoff spot with:

1. a tie and a Baltimore loss.  
[http://football.about.com/od/nationalfootballleague/a/playoffscenario.htm](http://football.about.com/od/nationalfootballleague/a/playoffscenario.htm)