Dolphins Injuries Could Hurt Steelers Playoff Push

The Miami Dolphins are dealing with several new injuries that will greatly affect their game against the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East division title. Edge rusher Bradley Chubb and cornerback Xavien Howard both suffered injuries that are expected to sideline them. That means the Steelers playoff hopes, which need a Dolphins win, could be hurt by that as the Bills look to make a final push.

If the Steelers’ fate is still up in the air after the 1 p.m. games on Sunday, they will need to sweat it out until the very last breath of the 2023 regular season.

The Steelers will advance with a win and a Buffalo Bills loss to the Miami Dolphins, and both of those teams will have plenty to play for. The winner of the Bills and Dolphins game will claim the AFC East title and home-field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The loser faces a first-round road trip to Kansas City — talk about a big swing in their Super Bowl fortune.

As things stand right now, the New York Times playoff simulator gives the Steelers a 28% chance of making it to the playoffs. That will rise to 72% with a win over the Ravens, and fall to 20% with a loss.

Chubb has a torn ACL that will knock him out for the season. Meanwhile, Howard has a foot injury that is likely to sideline him. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a left shoulder injury against the Ravens and did not return, but he appears to be okay. This is in addition to missing wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who has a high ankle sprain.

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

1. Baltimore Ravens 13-3
2. Miami Dolphins 11-5
3. Kansas City Chiefs 10-6
4. Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7
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5. Cleveland Browns 11-5
6. Buffalo Bills 10-6
7. Indianapolis Colts 9-7
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8. Houston Texans 9-7
9. Pittsburgh Steelers 9-7
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10. Denver Broncos 8-8
11. Cincinnati Bengals 8-8
12. Las Vegas Raiders 7-9
13. New York Jets 6-10
14. Tennessee Titans 5-11
15. Los Angeles Chargers 5-11
16. New England Patriots 4-12