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Realistic expectations for the Miami Dolphins 2018 season

By Brian Miller

Miami Dolphins fans walk around Hard Rock Stadium prior to a game - Image by Brian Miller
Miami Dolphins fans walk around Hard Rock Stadium prior to a game - Image by Brian Miller /
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The Dolphins schedule is not overly difficult. At least not at the start of the season where they should be able to get off to a fast start. This is imperative without question.

Miami opens with the Titans at home. This is not going to be an easy game but with home field advantage Miami should have an edge. It’s a “winnable” game as opposed to an easy game. It will be a good barometer for the Dolphins and how they play in this opener.

The following week has the Dolphins heading to New York to face the Jets. Last year expectations where high but Miami couldn’t play well with Jay Cutler and the defense wasn’t up to par. Miami lost that game but they can not afford to lose to a New York team who is struggling much in the same way they are.

If the Dolphins with Ryan Tannehill can’t beat a rebuilding Jets team with an inexperienced quarterback there could be problems.

It starts to get a little tougher for Miami after the Jets with the Raiders flying across country before heading to New England. Miami potentially could be 3-0 by the time they head to Boston. However, they need to be near perfect to get to 3-0.

The next stretch is the Bengals, Bears, and Lions and on paper the Dolphins should be able to match well with those teams. These are the games Miami has to win because the next stretch is more difficult.

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    • The Texans and Packers make up two of the next four teams and are potential playoff teams. The Dolphins will face the Jets and Colts in between. Two more games the Dolphins should win or at least be able to win.

    The back-end is much harder with the Vikings, Jaguars, and Bills twice. The Bills are in a position similar to Miami. They have potential early but should get better as the season goes on.

    Overall there are nine games that Miami should be able to win even as they continue to mature. This includes a split with the Bills. Is this realistic? Yes. It also could just as easily be 8-8.

    So what are the expectations for 2018? Average would be a good place to start. The more important thing is to see growth from the younger players especially on defense. This could be an interesting season that could see the Dolphins still in the hunt late in the season just about the time the younger players start to pick it all up and the game starts to slow down.

    Prediction? 8-8 is the safe bet but 9-7 is more realistic.

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