Take your pick: Fins' or Jets' playoff chances?
November, 9, 2009
11/09/09
7:36
PM ET
The answer to the question I'm about to ask would seem obvious. I'm not so sure it is.
The New York Jets are 4-4. The Miami Dolphins are 3-5.
But which team do you think has the best chance to make the playoffs?
New York is a game ahead, but that lead isn't colossal when you consider the remaining schedules for each team.
Miami's future opponents have a combined .453 win percentage. The Dolphins will face only three teams that have winning records after Week 9.
The Jets' remaining opponents have a .563 win percentage, and their final three games might be the NFL's wickedest regular-season finish.
Plus, the Dolphins are in a better position when it comes to tiebreakers. They have a 3-1 divisional record, including a season sweep of the Jets, who are 1-3 in the AFC East.
Let's take a gander at the remaining eight games, with each team playing four at home.
New York Jets
Head coach Rex Ryan: "We know our schedule is brutal. ... That's a tough schedule. We're capable of beating any team in this league, and I believe that. I've said it before: If we don't play our game and we keep making mistakes, we can get beat by anyone as well. That's the challenge to us. I really think if we can improve little steps, I don't think we need to improve a great deal, but just make improvements in all areas and we'll be just fine."
Miami Dolphins
Head coach Tony Sparano: "I think we are a 3-5 football team. I think you are what your record says you are, but from my end, I know in my heart that we are pretty close to being a pretty good team. ... We are at a point right now this thing can go either way. It really can, but I am going to try my best to make sure it only goes one way."
The New York Jets are 4-4. The Miami Dolphins are 3-5.
But which team do you think has the best chance to make the playoffs?
New York is a game ahead, but that lead isn't colossal when you consider the remaining schedules for each team.
Miami's future opponents have a combined .453 win percentage. The Dolphins will face only three teams that have winning records after Week 9.
The Jets' remaining opponents have a .563 win percentage, and their final three games might be the NFL's wickedest regular-season finish.
Plus, the Dolphins are in a better position when it comes to tiebreakers. They have a 3-1 divisional record, including a season sweep of the Jets, who are 1-3 in the AFC East.
Let's take a gander at the remaining eight games, with each team playing four at home.
New York Jets
- Jacksonville Jaguars 4-4
- at New England Patriots 6-2
- Carolina Panthers 3-5
- at Buffalo Bills 3-5
- at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-7
- Atlanta Falcons 5-3
- at Indianapolis Colts 8-0
- Cincinnati Bengals 6-2
Head coach Rex Ryan: "We know our schedule is brutal. ... That's a tough schedule. We're capable of beating any team in this league, and I believe that. I've said it before: If we don't play our game and we keep making mistakes, we can get beat by anyone as well. That's the challenge to us. I really think if we can improve little steps, I don't think we need to improve a great deal, but just make improvements in all areas and we'll be just fine."
Miami Dolphins
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-7
- at Carolina Panthers 3-5
- at Buffalo Bills 3-5
- New England Patriots 6-2
- at Jacksonville Jaguars 4-4
- at Tennessee Titans 2-6
- Houston Texans 5-4
- Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2 (not counting Monday night's game)
Head coach Tony Sparano: "I think we are a 3-5 football team. I think you are what your record says you are, but from my end, I know in my heart that we are pretty close to being a pretty good team. ... We are at a point right now this thing can go either way. It really can, but I am going to try my best to make sure it only goes one way."
ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the NFL and NBA for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. He's a Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami.
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