Here’s how the Dolphins could become the 11th seed after Week 15

With four weeks left in the regular season, the Miami Dolphins are trying to find a way to turn their 1-7 start into a playoff appearance. Their five wins in a row have helped, but there’s more work to be done if they want to play in mid-January.

After the Los Angeles Chargers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night, they are currently the fifth seed with an 8-6 record. The rest of the teams in the AFC playoff picture in order are the Indianapolis Colts (7-6), Buffalo Bills (7-6), Cleveland Browns (7-6), Cincinnati Bengals (7-6), Denver Broncos (7-6), Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6-1), Las Vegas Raiders (6-7), and Miami Dolphins (6-7).

Obviously, Miami will have to beat the Jets if they want to continue climbing in the AFC. Here’s what else would have to happen for them to move up to the 11th seed:

• Patriots def. Colts

• Panthers def. Bills

• Raiders def. Browns

• Broncos def. Bengals

• Titans def. Steelers

If all of this were to play out, Miami would be 7-7 heading into Week 16, and they’d be tied with the Colts, Bengals, Raiders, Bills, and Browns. The only team they have the tiebreaker over is the Browns to this point. However, this would put them within striking distance of the seventh seed with three weeks to play.