To make the playoffs in the AFC this upcoming season the Miami Dolphins most likely will have to get to a 10-6 record. Let’s jump into the schedule and see if that is realistic for this Dolphins team with the season fast approaching.
Tennessee Titans are the first up on the schedule this year. The Dolphins are 20-17 overall against the Titans. The last time, they played the Titans the, Dolphins came out on top 16-10. In my opinion, Miami’s run defense will get tested in this game. Tennessee has two very good running backs in Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis. Miami knows Lewis very well due to his time in New England. Also, Rashard Matthews will be looking to do damage against his former team. What will it take for Miami to get off on a fast start and add another win against Tennessee? I think Miami starts off 1-0.
New York Jets are second on the schedule. The much-hated Jets lead this series 54-50-1. Miami split the two games with the Jets last season. A lot of questions surround the Jets going into this season. They pretty much revamped their team this season bringing in two new quarterbacks in Teddy Bridgewater and rookie Sam Darnold a new running back in Isaiah Crowell and at least one new wide receiver in Terrelle Pryor and that’s just on offense. So, who will be the starter when this game comes around will it be McCown, Bridgewater or Darnold? With all the questions surrounding the Jets, I think Miami gets the win becoming 2-0.
Oakland Raiders travel to Miami in week 3. Oakland leads the series with Miami 20-17-1. The last time the two teams played each other Oakland won 27-24. Oakland for sure has a high-powered offense when they are clicking on all cylinders. With superstars like David Carr, Marshawn Lynch, Amari Cooper, and newly added Jordy Nelson the Raiders could potentially be a top 10 offense. Miami’s young cornerbacks will be tested in this game. How will X. Howard, C.Tankersley, and B.McCain respond? If Miami’s defense can stand up to the challenge I believe they can start the season 3-0.
New England Patriots are up next week 4. Miami leads the overall series 54-50-1. Miami split the series with the Patriots last season. Unfortunately, Tom Brady is still under center for the Patriots. The Patriots lost some key players this offseason such as Dion Lewis and Danny Amendola but brought in Sony Michael out of Georgia and Jeremey Hill who previously played for the Bengals to replace Lewis. One good note Julian Edelman will be suspended for this game. What will it take for Miami to win in New England for the first time since 2008? I believe that win was also the Wildcat game. First pumps up for Tony Sparano R.I.P. Coach. Hopefully, Miami can get a win in New England, but I say they lose a close one and become 3-1.
Miami travels to Cincinnati in week 5 for their next game. Miami leads this series 16-6. The last time Miami played Cincinnati they lost 7-22. Cincinnati has some talent on the offensive side of the ball as well as the defensive side. With players like AJ Green, Tyler Eifert, and even Andy Dalton what would Miami have to do to come out with a win in Cincinnati? Can Miami get to 4-1 on the season with a win against the Bengals? I think so Miami goes 4-1 with a win here.
Chicago Bears are next up on the schedule. The Dolphins lead this series 8-4. Miami hasn’t played the Bears since 2014. Miami came out on top in that game 27-14. With a few key newcomers to the Bears offense, how well would they have gelled by this point in the season? Mitchell Trubisky will look to take the next step in his career and has some playmakers to help him do so in Jordan Howard, Allen Robinson, and up and coming tight end Trey Burton. Call me CRAZY but this is a winnable game for Miami and the Dolphins could be looking at a 5-1 start. How crazy would that be Dolphin fans?
Detroit Lions are next up for the Dolphins. Dolphins lead this series 7-4. Like the Bears, the Dolphins haven’t played Lions since 2014 where they lost 20-16. But who will ever forget Brent Grimes one-handed interception from that game? With players like Matthew Stafford, Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, and newly acquired halfback LeGarrette Blount the Lions offense looks to be high powered and ready to roar. I think the Dolphins lose this is a close one bringing their record to 5-2 on the season.
Houston Texans are next up on the schedule. For some reason, Miami has struggled with the Texans ever since they joined the league. Houston has a commanding lead in this series leading 7-1. The last time these two played Miami got its first victory over the Texans 44-26. Houston has a lot of questions ahead of them going into this season. Can JJ Watt stay healthy? How will Deshaun Watson return from his torn ACL? How dominant will DeAndre Hopkins be? What will they get from Lamar Miller? With all these questions I truly believe if Miami can stop Houston’s passing game they win this game and become 6-2.
New York Jets are next up. At this point in the season for this Jets, I see Sam Darnold being the starter. Let’s face it Dolphin fans the Jets always find a way to beat us once a year and I think this is the game. Just two times in the last 10 years have the Dolphins swept the Jets in the season. Whether its Miami playing down to competition or the Jets getting lucky they can’t seem to beat the Jets twice in a year. So, I have the Dolphins dropping a close one here becoming 6-3.
Green Bay Packers are the next opponent for the team. Miami leads this series 10-4. Last time the two teams took the field against each other Miami was on the losing end 27-24. How can Dolphin fans forget this one? They had the lead with 30 seconds left and Aaron Rodgers was facing a 4th and long with no timeouts. The coach Philbin must have thought he was still the coordinator for the Packers because he does the unthinkable and calls a timeout. That gave Rodgers plenty of time to come up with a play to get the first down and ultimately beat the Fins! Going to Green Bay this late into the season its sure to be COLD and we know how this team plays in the cold. With that being said I think Miami drops this one becoming 6-4 on the year.
Indianapolis Colts are next on the schedule. Miami leads the series 47-26. The obvious question surrounding this game is how healthy will Andrew Luck be? Will he still be playing at this point? The Colts could soon be in full rebuild mode if Luck soon can’t get it together and stay healthy. I see Miami winning this game going 7-4 on the season.
Buffalo Bills are next up for the Dolphins. Dolphins lead this series 60-47-1. Miami was swept by Buffalo last season. With the season being in the final stretch here who will be the Starting quarterback for the Bills? Will it be Allen? I can say this regardless of either team’s record it will be a scrappy game. The Bills and Dolphins always play each other very competitively. I see the Dolphins getting a win here going 8-4 on the season.
New England Patriots are next up as they travel to Miami for this match-up. All I’m going say here is MIAMI WINS THIS ONE! Going 9-4 on the season. That’s right 9-4 Dolphin fans!
Minnesota Vikings are next up for the Dolphins. Dolphins lead this series 8-4. Without a question, Minnesota has one of the most high-powered offenses in the game right now and adding Cousins just makes it that much better. Cousin has the most talent around him then he’s ever had in his career. With guys like Davin Cook, Adam Thielen, Stefan Diggs, and Kyle Rudolph how will the Dolphins defense matchup with these talented players? I think Miami drops this one going 9-5 on the season.
Jacksonville Jaguars are next up on the schedule. I am sorry but am I the only one that still hates Jacksonville for that playoff game? Dolphins and the Jaguars are tied in this series 4-4. The Jaguars have a great defense and were 1 game away from the super bowl last year. They have a suspect offense at best right now with Blake Bortles as a quarterback and 2nd year running back Leonard Fournette who will lead the Jags offense this season. I think the Jags defense will be too much for the Dolphins and they drop this game going to 9-6 on the season.
The Buffalo Bills are the last game of the season. I think the Dolphins fly high in the last game of the season and win this one. Making them 10-6 on the season!
Some questions to ask yourself Dolphin fans.
1. How will Tannehill come back?
2. Will Drake lead the way and become the running back we need him to be.
3. Who will emerge as the best wide receiver this season?
4. Can Parker finally get it together?
5. Can we finally get good production out of the tight end spot?
6. Can Cameron Wake keep playing at a high level?
7. Will Charles Harris take the next step to become a star?
8. How will these linebackers fair?
9. What will X.Howard do to take the next step towards elite?
10. How long will it take Fitzpatrick to grasp the defense and become a star?
11. Are 10 wins enough to make the playoffs in the AFC?
