Miami, FL – Going into their week 8 bye, the Miami Dolphins were off to a hot start winning seven of their first eight games. The Dolphins maintained their great play all season long. When all was set and done they found themselves on top of the AFC East with a record of 12-4.
The Oakland Raiders thanks to their impressive defensive wild card performance against the Buffalo Bills.
Streaks
The Dolphins are coming into the playoffs with a two game losing streak. They lost to the Bills in week 16, and then the following week they lost to their other divisional rival, the New England Patriots. Over their last five games, the Dolphins are 3-2.
With the win last week, the Raiders were able to avoid losing two games in a row after having lost their week 17 game against the Denver Broncos. The Raiders are 4-1 over their last five games.
Last time they met.
It has been a while since these two teams played one another. You have to go back three seasons, to Season 5 in week 4. The game was played at Wembley Stadium in London. It was an exciting game as it went into overtime. The Dolphins came away with the win following a 48 yard overtime field goal by kicker Caleb Sturgis.
Did you know?
- This will be the Raiders fourth AFC divisional game in the last five seasons. The last season they did not make the divisional round was in Season 6, that season they also failed to make the playoffs.
- Until this season, the Dolphins had never won their division.
- The Dolphins have now made the playoffs three seasons in a row.
- This will be the first time the Dolphins have played a playoff game at home.
Miami Dolphins
coach: Joe Philbin
Regular Season: 12-4-0
Experience: 2
Career Record: 25-7-0
Coach Philbin has taken the Dolphins to a new level this season. They had a great season last year, before getting eliminated in the AFC Championship. If coach Philbin can get the Dolphins playing the way they did most of the season, look for them to make a deep playoff run.
Oakland Raiders
coach: Max Farias
Regular Season: 10-6-0
Experience: 7
Career Record: 84-54-0
Coach Farias is in the Divisional round for the second straight season. He has never made the AFC Championship, but hopes that with some new additions to the defense this season it will be enough to get him and his team over the hump.