BY NICK ST. DENIS
The Miami Dolphins are in position to make a run at the playoffs, but three very familiar foes stand in the way.
At 7-6, Miami is on the bubble of the playoff picture and in control of its destiny to a degree. If the Dolphins win out and the Baltimore Ravens lose a game, Miami would sneak into the final Wildcard spot.
To get there, though, the Fins will need to oust every other AFC East team consecutively, starting with the New England Patriots, then the Buffalo Bills, and finally, the New York Jets.
"The Patriots always demand your full attention, but we have three
division games to finish off the season," Dolphins receiver Brian
Hartline told reporters Tuesday. "We know where we're at in the playoff hunt, and this game is just as valuable as the next."
The Dolphins are undoubtedly focused on the task at hand and aren't looking past the Patriots, but each of the next three games holds equal weight -- they have to win them all.
". . . Having that opportunity late in December to play meanngful games, [when] we can control the majority of our destiny is encouraging."
Miami is coming off a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are now out of serious consideration for the postseason. That came a week after the Dolphins put a major damper on the Jets' postseason hopes, though Gang Green is still alive.
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