The Miami Dolphins clinch the AFC’s final playoff spot with a win with seconds remaining. The New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers lose out in the long-distance duel.

The Miami Dolphins clinched the AFC’s final playoff spot on Sunday night.

Kicker Jason Sanders converted a 50-yard field goal with 18 seconds left to beat the New York Jets 9-6, and a Dolphins safety finally made it 11-6 with five seconds left.

Neither team scored a touchdown in the entire game, with Dolphins third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson totaling 152 passing yards.

The Florida franchise finished the regular season with a record of 9-8, and after five straight losses before that, turned things around against the Jets, putting the Dolphins in the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Patriots and Steelers miss playoffs

Miami now has to play next weekend at the Buffalo Bills, who in turn defeated the New England Patriots 35-23. The Patriots also had a chance to clinch the last playoff spot in the AFC before the game, but would have had to beat the Bills to do so.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were also still dreaming of the play-offs before their game on Sunday, but had to hope for a defeat by the Dolphins. Which is why the Steelers’ 28-14 win over the Cleveland Browns was ultimately meaningless.