Playoffs still possible despite odds stacked against Dolphins

—It was an ugly win over the Buffalo Bills, but the Miami Dolphins will take it.

Now, the Dolphins (6-6) — sitting one position outside of a wild-card spot in the playoff race — will turn their attention to the AFC East-leading New England Patriots (9-3) this Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.

“We’re both trying to do the same thing, and figure out how to win one game. That’s what it’s going to come down to,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said Monday of New England, following Miami’s 21-17 win over Buffalo a day earlier.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill connected with receiver Kenny Stills for a 13-yard pass for the goahead touchdown with 8:42 left in the fourth quarter on Sunday.

And the defense was fortunate former Dolphins tight end Charles Clay dropped a wide-open pass in the end zone from Bills rookie quarterback Josh Allen with about a minute left in the game.

A loss to the Bills could have had major ramifications for the rest of Miami’s season.

The Dolphins trail the Baltimore Ravens (7-5) for the final AFC playoff spot. The Ravens visit the highflying Kansas City Chiefs (10-2) this Sunday.

The odds to make the playoffs, however, may be stacked against Miami.

ESPN’s NFL Football Power Index projects the Dolphins have a 3.2 percent chance to make the playoffs, and will finish with a 7-9 record. The Dolphins have won four of their last five home games against the Patriots since 2013.

“Every game at this point of the season is going to be meaningful — no matter who you’re playing,” Gase said. “We have to focus on preparing, correcting the things we can correct, and just focus on our jobs.”

The Dolphins offense was limited against Buffalo, getting outgained 415 to 175 yards by the Bills, but Stills and receiver DeVante Parker were able to score touchdowns to pace Miami.

Parker, who finished with four catches for 43 yards, scored his first touchdown since the second game of the 2017 season.

Stills tied a season-high with four receptions against the Bills, including his first touchdown in four games. The last time Stills caught four passes came during the season opener.

Last week, Stills said, “I can’t throw the ball to myself,” to which he later clarified that he was speaking of the general struggles of the offense without Tannehill and not a knock against the Dolphins quarterbacks.

“It was good to finally get DeVante in the end zone. I feel like we had some plays for him, and we just either didn’t have them called or it was the wrong coverage when we called them,” Gase said.

“And same thing with Kenny, getting him going. It was good we got to throw him the ball, and he didn’t have to do it to himself.”

Parker’s touchdown, which came during the opening drive of the game, marked the second straight game the Dolphins have scored touchdowns on their opening drives. This comes after failing to do so in 20 consecutive games.

“Nothing is different — we just executed those plays,” Gase insisted. “It’s hard to explain.”

The Dolphins have scored touchdowns on opening drives in 10 of 44 games under Gase. They have a 7-3 record in such contests.

Gase complimented Tannehill, who was sacked three times during the first half against Buffalo in his second start since missing five games with a shoulder injury.

“He’s as tough as they come,” Gase said of Tannehill.