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The Bottom Ten/NFL Week 16
By Gaylon Kent
The Writer's Shack
  
With the season winding down and history staring them in the eye, the Miami Dolphins do not appear to be blinking. Already three up on the Jets, Falcons and half the NFC West with three to play, the Dolphins are guaranteed no less than a tie for the worst record in the NFL.
But at 0-13 the Dolphins know they are playing for the history books, as the NFL's first 0-16 season is there for the taking. And the Dolphins appear to be peaking, too. After having lost five games by three points early in the season, the Dolphins have lost their last two by a combined 48 points.
And down the stretch they come! This week's mess, complete with prospects for making the B-10 medal stand:
1. Miami (0-13; lost to Buffalo 38-17)
Mitigating Factors: Dolphins throw up white flag early, racing out to 24-7 first quarter deficit, thanks to three sacks and fumble returned for touchdown...The Dolphins have lost 16 straight, dating back to last season, the eighth longest losing streak in NFL history.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: The Dan Henning Trophy is theirs to lose...Literally.
Next Loss: Baltimore
2. San Francisco (3-10; lost to Minnesota 27-7)
Mitigating Factors: Another team not even bothering, 49ers trail 27-0 at half...Manage to hold RB Adrian Petersen to four yards rushing, but give up 101 yards to his backup, plus touchdown to defensive lineman.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Fair to midland...Need to lose out, of course, but that could be tough with B-10 stalwart Cincinnati up next, but 49ers should have no problem losing to Tampa Bay and Cleveland.
Next Loss: Cincinnati
3. New York Jets (3-10; lost to Cleveland 24-18)
Mitigating Factors: Jets rebound from Dolphin win, scrambling for 12 points in final three minutes, making game closer than it really was...Jets offense clutch, producing 387 total yards, but just one touchdown.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Very good...Loss to New England this Sunday will solidify spot, but tough games against Tennessee and Kansas City could derail medal stand hopes.
Next Loss: at New England
4. Atlanta (3-10; lost to New Orleans 34-14)
Mitigating Factors: With his #1 quarterback up the river for two years and his #2 quarterback playing for Houston, coach Bobby Petrino surprises even himself at how fast he could desert a sinking ship...Falcons have lost four straight...Defense so bad, they gave up 100 yard rushing game to Saints' third-string running back.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: They need to lose out and might even need a Jets or 49ers victory to secure a spot.
Next Loss: at Tampa Bay
5. Baltimore (4-9; lost to Indianapolis 44-20)
Mitigating Factors: Ravens not even bothering to mail it in, trailing 23-0 after one quarter on strength of fumble, interception and punt blocked for safety...Five of eight losses have come by 14 or more points.
B-10 Medal Stand Outlook: Not too good...Five teams have more losses than they do, plus they play Miami this week, which means an automatic win.
Next Loss: at Miami
Caught In The Lint Trap:
6. Detroit (6-7) - Five game losing streak commands pollsters attention, but may be too late to overcome 6-2 start!
7. Chicago (5-8) - Defending NFC champs have yet to win consecutive games this year!
8. Cincinnati (5-8) - Bengals drifting in B-10 ocean, having not lost consecutive games since November!
9. Kansas City (4-9) Five straight losses have come by a combined 16.2 ppg!
10. AFC East - Still in hunt to become first division ever to have undefeated, winless team in same season...Bills, Jets and Dolphins have combined for ten wins, well, the Bills and Jets have, at least, which is three less than New England.
This Week's Clash of the Titans: Cincinnati at San Francisco
Let's Screw CBS II: Baltimore at Miami
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