For the Miami Dolphins, Sunday’s win over the New England Patriots accomplished two things: It eliminated a division rival from playoff contention, and it put the Dolphins in control of their own postseason destiny. Two more wins, and Miami is in.
But the Dolphins didn’t eliminate just any division rival: They eliminated the Patriots, who have only missed the playoffs three times since 2000 and hadn’t been on the outside looking in since 2008. Sure, the starting quarterback is different, but the jerseys look the same.
“It’s another game when you think about it, but not really,” Dolphins center Michael Deiter said.