I predict our final record will be: 6-11

I think our offensive ranking to be pretty low and our defensive ranking to return to middle of the pack.

 

We are going to win every game including the Super Bowl and set league records for most points scored and lowest points allowed. McD will be Coach of the Year. Tua Super Bowl MVP and Holland DPOY.
BOOK IT!

 

100% Facts!

 

10-7 and a 4-2 division record gets Miami into the playoffs over some 'better' teams in the AFCWest.

 

12 - 5 and lost in second round in playoffs

 

8-9

 

I'll go a third season of a winning record but no playoffs. The offence will improve, but the defence will dip.

 

It's way too early for this, but I'll guess 13-4, 5-1 in division, 1st place in the AFC East, and in the AFC Conference championship.

Bonus prediction- the Jets will still suck!

Edit, with Tyreek trade, I went a little higher. We'll take the AFC East outright, but will probably still split w/ Buffalo in the regular season. I think by playoff time though, we're going to be thumping and making other teams look stupid. It is officially Miami's year folks...we're making a run!

 

I think he'll get hurt and miss at least one game and Bridgewater will start that game and win, causing a QB controversy.

 

I'll go so far to say that he takes a step, but not a big enough one to be considered a leap. It will lead to a state where the defenders say that he's finally putting it all together, whilst his detractors will claim a mixture of scheme and it still not making him good enough for us to compete.

 

9-8, a winning record but not enough for a play off appearance.

 

My assumptions.
1) With the addition of Armstead we are done with significant FA signings..
2) Our draft will not add any difference makers. Although I would love for us to get best available RB and C in the first 2 rounds, I’m not sure it will play out that way.
3) The defensive coaching staff is on board and happy with the new HC and there won’t be friction between the old guard and new guard. I’m also assuming Bowlen was actually running the D, not being a sock puppet for Flores.
4) SOS is pie in the sky stuff and I rate pre-season SOS projections as being as accurate as astrology.
5) The gap between Tua and Bridgewater is much smaller than the gap between Tua and Brisset so I’m not worried about injuries affecting our record all that much. Of course if we get hit bad by the injuries, especially on any particular unit that can cause real problems.

I see the defense as it ran in the second half of the season (better health, no QB trade distractions) as being rated in the 6 to 10 range.
If McDaniels performs as it says on the box with regard to the OL and running game, I can see our O being rated in the 16 to 20 range. The passing should be better than our rushing.
With a new HC I also expect game management decisions (clock management, when to go for it on 4th down etc) to be sub optimal.
Special teams should be solid.

With an improved to average-ish O and a keeping a solid to good D I think 10-7 or 11-6 should be where we end up, building on our 9-8 from last year. As with any new coaching staff the downside risk is more pronounced than upside opportunity.
If we are lucky and hit on a quality starting RB and C in the draft and everything else plays out the way I think it should we might even sneak an extra W or 2.

 

I completely agree with everything you said. Draft a center, switch to a power offense and hope the D/special teams doesn't slide too much. Coaching should be better, play calling might be worse...so a slight improvement is a good goal.

 

Why are people so convinced that the defense is going to slide. Yes, Flores and Alexander were good coaches, however, Boyer has been a coach for a long time as well.

Also, they lost no one, and a lot of players on the defense could improve, such as well All but X and Jones. If Phillips takes a nice jump after a full year in his NFL football shape body and Holland takes a step to be the all pro safety we think he can be, I don't see why the defense shouldn't be able to play better.

Especially if they are able to upgrade Elandon Roberts and use him as a back up.

 

I think people are nervous because we lost Flores and we may not be running the cover zero without him there. It was almost two different defenses with/without the cover zero and that's what had us looking elite down the stretch. I do agree with you though, we're returning the entire defense and the potential should be there for them to remain a special group. We just never know for sure.

 

That's exactly my thoughts. My opinion is that Flores was probably too involved with the defense design for us to be as successful without him. That, and we lost a number of solid defensive coaches.

 

8-9, which will be a reflection of Tua's mediocre at best QB play. (I hope I'm wrong.)

 

You're a game short.

 

I know the head coach we currently has consistently praises the defense as one he didn't like playing against. The defense he played against had a good amount of cover zero.

My guess we are going to have about the same.

I think with all the same players that they have a great feel for this defense and will get better at it.

 

Good catch! I'm so used to 7-9 after these decades of mediocrity. I'll edit it, just not sure whether to add the extra game to the win or loss column...

 

Can I change my prediction now that we have Hill?

 

We have the defense, weapons and offensive line to be 12-5. We have a quarterback that may make it 7-10 instead.

 

Classic Dolphins. Fix everything but the most important position in the game and hope for different results...

 

Honestly dont have an issue with this because there will be no doubt now about Tua’s status as a NFL player.

Not Tannehill, Henne, Beck, Fiedler, Griese, Huard, Lemon had this opportunity.

If we dont make the playoffs, its over for this little guy.

 

Let's hope so. And let's hope they go all in on a new QB if Tua can't perform with this supporting cast. You're right, that's the silver lining so long as they don't ride out Tua longer than they should if he doesn't get the job done. Nightmare scenario is a decent but not great season where he improves slightly but still doesn't prove if he has it or doesn't. Maybe first round exit from playoffs with a decent season.

 

Every single time we bring in a quarterback, half the fans call it like they see it, and the other half holds onto this hope that the quarterback is in fact untapped top 5 quarterback potential that has a bad line and no one to throw to and no running game.

well thats all gone now. No excuses. 12-5.

 

10-7 after a scary first few games. I think it's going to take time for the new coach and new pieces to come together.

 

Most fans will agree with that during the off season. Once the regular season starts, and individual games with individual plays and results start to happen, there will be the fans that continue to make excuses if he doesn't perform.

 

In that case, 10-7 and just miss the playoffs.

 

7-10.

 

Usually I'd agree, but how do you cover Hill and Waddle with them on two different sides of the field? Screen passes are going to go for TD's on a fairly regular basis. Then we have the speedster new RB as well; I think the offense will click fast due to all that speed and be a heck of a lot of fun. Because this year doesn't feel like speculation- that's three proven rockets that have the film to show how lethal they are in the pros.

 

You might well be right. Personally, I think LBJ will be the X-factor. Hill and Waddle are going to command attention from secondaries and linebackers are going to have to make plans for Gesicki, Mostert or Edmonds. Creative use of Bowden can get him into space with frequency. Can't wait for exhibition season.

 

Key, I'm worried you're too high on this team :) You gonna be suicidal if they go 0-7 to start the season! We've seen enough of these fins to temper our hope.

 

LOL, I take it in stride. If they stink, then so be it. But I do have a really good feeling that everything will finally click.

 

Here you go, we go 10-7 and still cannot figure out our QB. McDaniels flips back and forth between the two from either injury or poor play. We miss the playoffs because of a loss to a bad AFC team probably Houston. Tom Brady signs next year takes us to two consecutive Super Bowls, retires and becomes owner of the Dolphins in some capacity, hires harbaugh and builds a new dynasty in football.

 

I see 11 wins. I think both Buffalo and Miami go 5-1 in the division with a split between two teams. Looking at our home games, two toughest opponents were Buffalo and GB. we'll see how GB does w/o Davante, I'm betting under this year on GB. Road games are much tougher, but Chi, Detroit and Jets gives us at least 3 wins. Even if we get swept by Buffalo and go 7-1 at home, we could make up for it with one upset on road, picking from NE, SF and Baltimore. Of course this all is about staying healthy like we did last season