2013 Miami Dolphins Preview

2013 Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins were supposed to be a rebuilding team last year, having just brought in first time head coach Joe Philbin and selected quarterback Ryan Tannehill in the first round of the 2012 draft. Instead, they pleasantly surprised a lot of people by immediately establishing themselves as the second best team in the AFC East. A big run in free agency that included the signing of Mike Wallace, Dustin Keller, Dannell Ellerbe, along with the drafting of Dion Jordan and the possible explosion of Cameron Wake make the Dolphins legitimate contenders to challenge the Patriots for the division title. I say, hold off on the Miami bandwagon for now. This is still a young team that hasn’t proven it could win anything, and we’ve seen time and time again where some big free agent signings do not translate to wins. New England may be hurting, but they still have more talent than this confident bunch from South Beach, and I think there are too many question marks surrounding the Dolphins for them to overtake the Pats. Lamar Miller could break out, and Ryan Tannehill could take the next step at quarterback, although it would have to be a giant leap since he did average less than one touchdown per game last year. The defense will probably be slightly above average but borderline top 10. There is no doubt that the 2013 Miami Dolphins are a team with promise that should contend for a playoff spot in the AFC, but I think it will have to be only for a wild card.

Schedule

The Dolphins finished 2012 with a 7-9 record, which is impressive considering they had a rookie coach and quarterback. They will look to build on their success from a year ago, and will need at least two extra wins to vault themselves into playoff position. But will they be able to get there?

Week 1: L at CLE

Week 2: L at IND

Week 3: W vs ATL

Week 4: L at NO

Week 5: W vs BAL

Week 6: Bye

Week 7: W vs BUF

Week 8: L at NE

Week 9: W vs CIN

Week 10: L at TB

Week 11: W vs SD

Week 12: W vs CAR

Week 13: W at NYJ

Week 14: L at PIT

Week 15: L vs NE

Week 16: L at BUF

Week 17: W vs NYJ

I think that the 2013 Miami Dolphins will finish the season 8-8. This would be disappointing in their eyes, as it is hard to imagine them grabbing a wild card with only eight wins. The crucial stretch for them is weeks 12-15, when they have four tough but winnable games in a row. If they are truly a playoff team, then the Dolphins should be able to take away three of those four matchups. You might be able to throw Miami an extra win Week 1 against Cleveland, but I think the Browns will steal it something like 21-19 or so. Also, Week 15 against the Pats is a huge game for them, but I think with all the talk the Dolphins have done this offseason, Brady and New England will take it personally, and make it a mission to embarrass Miami in front of their home crowd. This team is on the rise, but they aren’t quite there yet. My next preview: the dreaded New England Patriots. I still hate them.

Bold Prediction: Lamar Miller will rush for 1,172 yards and 7 TDs, with some quiet receiving production as well.