Are they the team everything thinks they could be, full of free agents who are supposed to come in, gel together and form a cohesive team that leads to a playoff berth?
Are they the team that is still learning to swim, like a tadpole or a turtle earning its sea legs? Can this team compete with the New Englands and Denvers of the NFL and more importantly, can this team make an impact to make the decisions of team general manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Joe Philbin look like this franchise is headed in the right direction?
New England is still the team to beat in this division. The Patriots will be better running the ball this year, but Tom Brady does not have a full complement of receivers to work with and the defense is still a work in progress.
Buffalo and New York should both be improved. Each is dealing with its own quarterback problems and trying to create an identity for theses franchises again is not easy.
The Dolphins have done enough to become contenders for the playoffs. The AFC is not as strong as it has been in other years, so it is the right time to make a move.
Here is a look at the Dolphins schedule and how they should fare this season.
September 8 @ Cleveland: Not a cakewalk, but it could be worse. The Browns could be better this season under new head coach Rob Chudzinski and a seasoned Brandon Weeden. Trent Richardson should be at full speed as well. Dolphins win though, 23-14.
September 15 @ Indianapolis: This is a team that shocked the world last season and played at such a high level of emotion every week. Can they, in their sophomore season under head coach Chuck Pagano, do it again? It’s a tall task. Dolphins win a tight one 17-16.
September 22 vs. Atlanta: Ah, a home game and the Falcons come to town. Brent Grimes and Tyson Clabo play against their former team. This time, Matt Ryan is in control, throwing the ball all over the field and exposing the one weakness of the Dolphins' secondary. Falcons win 31-23.
September 29 @ New Orleans: The Dolphins might surprise us all in this one. The Saints may not be as good as advertised. But they also may be better with a recommitted Drew Brees and a their head coach Sean Payton back on the sideline. Home team gets the nod. Saints 35-20.
October 6 vs. Baltimore: The Super Bowl champs come to Miami with a decimated defense from last season. Baltimore has Ray Rice. The Dolphins have Lamar Miller. This ground attacks will take over. And in this case, take the home team. Dolphins win 24-22.
Are they the team that is still learning to swim, like a tadpole or a turtle earning its sea legs? Can this team compete with the New Englands and Denvers of the NFL and more importantly, can this team make an impact to make the decisions of team general manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Joe Philbin look like this franchise is headed in the right direction?
New England is still the team to beat in this division. The Patriots will be better running the ball this year, but Tom Brady does not have a full complement of receivers to work with and the defense is still a work in progress.
Buffalo and New York should both be improved. Each is dealing with its own quarterback problems and trying to create an identity for theses franchises again is not easy.
The Dolphins have done enough to become contenders for the playoffs. The AFC is not as strong as it has been in other years, so it is the right time to make a move.
Here is a look at the Dolphins schedule and how they should fare this season.
September 8 @ Cleveland: Not a cakewalk, but it could be worse. The Browns could be better this season under new head coach Rob Chudzinski and a seasoned Brandon Weeden. Trent Richardson should be at full speed as well. Dolphins win though, 23-14.
September 15 @ Indianapolis: This is a team that shocked the world last season and played at such a high level of emotion every week. Can they, in their sophomore season under head coach Chuck Pagano, do it again? It’s a tall task. Dolphins win a tight one 17-16.
September 22 vs. Atlanta: Ah, a home game and the Falcons come to town. Brent Grimes and Tyson Clabo play against their former team. This time, Matt Ryan is in control, throwing the ball all over the field and exposing the one weakness of the Dolphins' secondary. Falcons win 31-23.
September 29 @ New Orleans: The Dolphins might surprise us all in this one. The Saints may not be as good as advertised. But they also may be better with a recommitted Drew Brees and a their head coach Sean Payton back on the sideline. Home team gets the nod. Saints 35-20.
October 6 vs. Baltimore: The Super Bowl champs come to Miami with a decimated defense from last season. Baltimore has Ray Rice. The Dolphins have Lamar Miller. This ground attacks will take over. And in this case, take the home team. Dolphins win 24-22.
November 11 @ Tampa Bay: This is a game I have had circled for some time. The Bucs' running game against the best defensive line in football. We might get a look at Mike Glennon this week if the Bucs falter. Miami will introduce him to Cameron Wake and Dion Jordan. Dolphins 20-17.
November 17 vs. Chargers: We will know a great many things about San Diego by now. Will Philip Rivers be ready to take the next step as an elite quarterback? Has Tannehill already passed him. I like Miami in this one. Dolphins 21-17.
November 24 vs. Panthers: Ron Rivera is coaching for his career. The Fins have to contend with Cam Newton and the passing attack of Carolina. This could be one of those trap games. The Dolphins are good, but not great yet. Panthers 21-20.
December 1 @ New York Jets: The Dolphins get either Mark Sanchez or Geno Smith or both. It will be cold in New York. This is not Dan Marino and Ken O’Brien in a shootout. Man how times have changed in football. Dolphins win 26-20.
December 8 @ Pittsburgh: Maybe on of the more entertaining games of the season and the matchup of the Pouncey brothers. That is worth the price of admission. Because it is on the road, I have to give the edge to the Steeler Nation. Steelers 19-16.
December 15 vs. New England: This is how you finish strong. Three games against division rivals and playoff berths at stake. The Patriots won at home earlier this season. Maybe the Dolphins step up and show they are an elite team. This is Tannehill’s best day as a pro. In a shootout, Dolphins 41-37.
November 17 vs. Chargers: We will know a great many things about San Diego by now. Will Philip Rivers be ready to take the next step as an elite quarterback? Has Tannehill already passed him. I like Miami in this one. Dolphins 21-17.
November 24 vs. Panthers: Ron Rivera is coaching for his career. The Fins have to contend with Cam Newton and the passing attack of Carolina. This could be one of those trap games. The Dolphins are good, but not great yet. Panthers 21-20.
December 1 @ New York Jets: The Dolphins get either Mark Sanchez or Geno Smith or both. It will be cold in New York. This is not Dan Marino and Ken O’Brien in a shootout. Man how times have changed in football. Dolphins win 26-20.
December 8 @ Pittsburgh: Maybe on of the more entertaining games of the season and the matchup of the Pouncey brothers. That is worth the price of admission. Because it is on the road, I have to give the edge to the Steeler Nation. Steelers 19-16.
December 15 vs. New England: This is how you finish strong. Three games against division rivals and playoff berths at stake. The Patriots won at home earlier this season. Maybe the Dolphins step up and show they are an elite team. This is Tannehill’s best day as a pro. In a shootout, Dolphins 41-37.
December 22 @ Buffalo: Anyone wanna bet it is snowing in western New York at this time? Could this be a trap game? Can the Dolphins, 9-5 on the season, need both wins but one should secure a playoff spot. For some reason I think Buffalo takes this one. Bills 12-7.
December 29 vs. New York Jets: The Dolphins and the Jets at home with a playoff game on the line. Who knew 1982 would be replayed. The Jets struggled all season. The Dolphins are moving forward. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Dolphins 19-13.
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