Win and you’re in. It was a simple formula for the Miami Dolphins to make the playoffs. Sure, they had other ways to make the postseason, but a win was their easiest way in. Then the Buffalo Bills smoked them.
With virtually nothing to play for (and with the loss by the Pittsburgh Steelers at the same time, literally nothing to play for in terms of the 2020 postseason), the Buffalo Bills shellacked the Miami Dolphins not just to secure the number-two seed, but keep the Dolphins from securing a playoff spot.
When the Indianapolis Colts won in the late afternoon time slot, the Dolphins were eliminated. They could have made the Wild Card spot with a loss by either the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, or Indianapolis Colts. All of them won and Miami lost.
This robs Miami of playoff experience. Buffalo’s lack of experience was on display last year in Wild Card weekend, and now the Bills keep that valuable commodity away from Miami. It also sent a message to the Dolphins that the Bills were king. No doubt. A division sweep with an exclamation point.
What a way to end the regular season; consecutive beatdowns over the second-best teams in the AFC East.