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While a kickoff time is not yet known, there is clarity on the date of the Miami Dolphins’ regular-season finale against the New York Jets.
The Dolphins will play the Jets next Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium after the NFL announced its Week 18 Saturday double-header.
The game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, which determines the AFC South champion, takes the Saturday night slot for an 8:15 p.m. kickoff while the Kansas City Chiefs play at the Las Vegas Raiders in a 4:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday.
The rest of the NFL’s Week 18 schedule will take place next Sunday. Since the Dolphins’ playoff outcome could also be tied to the result of the New England Patriots’ game at the Buffalo Bills, the two AFC East games are likely to take place at the same time, in either the 1 p.m. or 4 p.m. slate of games.
The Dolphins (8-8), after losing to the Patriots, 23-21, on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, no longer control their own postseason fate. They need a win over the Jets, plus a Patriots loss in Buffalo. The Jets (7-9) have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Bills (12-3) still have to play their Week 17 game, Monday night at the Cincinnati Bengals (11-4).
With the Chiefs (13-3) playing their finale on Saturday, it’s suddenly pivotal for the Dolphins’ playoff chances that Buffalo wins on Monday night.
If the Bills lose in Cincinnati and the Chiefs win on Saturday, Buffalo would be eliminated from earning the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye by Sunday. If the Bills are only playing for seeding between 2 and 3 in the AFC, they may rest starters against the Patriots.
Week 18 Sunday kickoff times are expected to be announced after “Monday Night Football.”
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