By Eric Gerson
As another NFL season approaches I figured that I would throw my way too early Miami Dolphins game by game prediction out there for your consumption. This is the time of the year where NFL fans are desperate for something, ANYTHING to happen. Sure we have OTA’s but unless someone gets injured or sits out ala Rodgers, June is NFL dead space, so here is my attempt to fill some of that space.
Game 1 at Patriots – This one is simple to me. Newton at QB means a loss for Miami, Mac Jones however gives us a win. Bill Belichick probably agrees so look for Newton to start the season in NE. The Pats are playoff hopeful again & starting out with a late afternoon game in NE is less than optimal for Miami. 26-15 Pats Record 0-1
Game 2 vs Bills – Call me crazy but I see Buffalo taking a small step back this year, and there is no way that Tua & Co. want to start off 0-2. Buffalo will be just coming off a likely home opening win against Pitts and I think Miami will want to make this a statement game that the AFC East is 100% up for grabs. 36-24 Miami Record 1-1
Game 3 at Raiders – Unless something crazy happens and Aaron Rodgers is playing QB for Vegas, I see this as a Miami win, and a MUST win in the sense that if you want to make the playoffs, you must win the games you should, and this one qualifies. The Raiders had one of the worst defenses in football last year, Miami needs to roll here 33-17 Miami Record 2-1
Game 4 Colts – Oh boy here we go…. An early home game with massive playoff implications later in the year. A 1pm start, liable to be a sunny humid day. When we look back at the end of season this game might stand out as one where either Miami took the next step or stayed just better than mediocre. My heart wants to yell win here…but…. Colts 17-16 Record 2-2
Game 5 at TB – Tom Brady. No team knows him better. No team has had his number more. No homefield weather advantage for TB here and Miami is seething from a close loss the previous week that might cost them later. We need to make up a game here, and even though it’s not against an AFC team, this is one where Miami rises above expectations and steals one. 34-30 Miami Record 3-2
Game 6 at Jax – Again a road game where a Fla team does not get a weather advantage against us. Heck by now it might even have cooled off in Jax anyway. Rookie QB on a bad team. No worries here… 28-14 Miami Record 4-2
Game 7 Atlanta – Another game against a bad team, and they may even be worse if Julio Jones gets his way. Miami is rolling now, even if we are not blowing teams out. 27-20 Miami Record 5-2
Game 8 at Buffalo – With a chance to keep a winning streak alive and start thinking about playoff seeding, the Bills bring Miami back down to reality and maybe even in a big way. This one smells to me, not to mention the game is on Halloween, and I am not seeing a repeat of the classic against the Bengals where Miami won on a safety thanks to Cameron Wake in OT. 33-21 Bills Record 5-3
Game 9 Houston Texans – Considering that 4 days after this game Miami has to play a tough Ravens squad on short rest, this is 100% an absolute must win. A bad team, with who knows who at QB at this point, this is just a game Miami must win. 40-10 Miami Record 6-3
Game 10 Ravens Thursday night – Nope. Just Nope. Until Miami proves that they can beat the Ravens, I don’t care what the situation is, it’s a predicted loss. The short week won’t help, and even though it’s a home game and the stadium will be rocking, until we win one against this team, all I see is an L . 24-12 Ravens Record 6-4
Game 11 at Jets – Getting some extra prep time will help here, just to get bodies healthy again after the short week. Another rookie QB on a bad team with a new coach, good teams win this one. 38 – 14 Miami Record 7-4
Game 12 Carolina – Years of mediocrity have me worried about this one if for no other reason than 7-5 sounds more Dolphins than 8-4 in the last 20 years. However, new QB Sam Darnold is an old friend of ours, so this one Fins roll. 44- 10 Miami Record 8-4
Game 13 NY Giants – Getting late in the year for the Daniel Jones make it or break it year, so it will be interesting but again, these are the games that good teams must win, especially late in the year. Be VERY wary of a trap game here, but I will call a win, barely… Miami 16-13 OT Record 9-4
Game 14 Jets – Coming off the bye the Dolphins have been home now for a month straight and there is just no way Miami is blowing this one. Miami 21-17 Record 10-4
Game 15 at NO Mon Night – Well that streak was nice, and yeah who knows what to expect out of Taysom Hill…But come on, its Monday night in NO, Miami comes in rolling and leaves limping 34-28 NO Record 10-5
Game 16 at Titans – Oh boy , just like the Colts game earlier in the season , this one probably has massive playoff implications. Plus it’s the Ryan Tannehill revenge game. If this was in Miami maybe I feel different, but look to Tannehill to lead a late game come from behind victory here. 23-20 Titans Record 10-6
Game 17 Patriots – Simply put this team won’t lose 3 straight to end the season, and this game will decide the AFC east between Bills/Fins and maybe Pats. Do not let the 2 previous losses fool you, Miami is a playoff team and it will show here. 24-12 Miami Record 11-6
Thanks for reading! Make sure to follow me on Twitter @jawsaholic and on YouTube my channel is Flying Fluffy.
