With seven teams within a game of the final wild card spot in the AFC, there isn't much room for error. Teams are battling for position with tiebreakers playing a major role. For those teams -- including the 6-5 Miami Dolphins -- a missed opportunity could end their chances of a playoff berth. Following an eventful week 13, Miami needs a win to keep pace in the race and will play the 2-9 New York Jets on Monday Night Football. With a win, the Dolphins would be tied for the final wild card spot. A loss, however, may dig too big of a hole to work out of.
Dolphins vs. Jets 2014 picks and predictions: Most experts picking Miami
The Dolphins are in the middle of a playoff race while the Jets are going through the stages in a lost season. Not many expect New York to pull the upset.
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Not many NFL experts are picking an upset, including at SB Nation. The SB Nation analysts were nearly unanimous with six of the seven picking Miami to avoid the upset. Only Stephen White picked Rex Ryan and the Jets to win. There was a similar theme with the ESPN NFL experts where 12 of the 13 picked Miami. Only former Jet Keyshawn Johnson picked New York. There was no difference of opinion at CBS where all eight experts picked the Dolphins to win on the road.
Of those 28 experts, only two picked New York to record its third win of the season. If New York does pull the upset, it would be a significant one. The Jets have won just one of their last 10 games. That win, however, was a playoff-shaping upset of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh is currently in the thick of the race with Miami. If the Jets pull another upset, they could wind up playing a major role in deciding the AFC playoff teams. They won't make the postseason themselves, but maybe Ryan and company can spoil a couple of seasons in the process.
★★★
See More:
