Predicting the 2018 Miami Dolphins season week by week
The 2018 season is finally here. The Miami Dolphins kick-off their year this Sunday against the Titans at Hard Rock Stadium.
With the season starting tonight for the NFL and the Miami Dolphins this Sunday it makes sense to predict the outcome for the Dolphins. Through training camp and pre-season dissection here are my, Gabe Genovesi’s 2018 week to week predictions.
Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans
The Titans snuck in the playoffs last season with a 9-7 record and won a playoff game against the Chiefs, but the 2018 Titans have a brand new coaching staff. Mike Vrabel takes over as head coach, Matt LaFleur is the new offensive coordinator and Dean Pees is in charge of the defense.
Tennessee has weapons offensively with Marcus Mariota, Dion Lewis, Corey Davis, Delanie Walker and ex-Dolphin Rishard Matthews. This is my biggest concern as Miami has struggled with running quarterbacks and covering shifty running backs and above average tight ends for the last decade.
However, I believe Miami’s offense will surprise Tennessee. Gase has packages and schemes that no one has seen. The quickness of Albert Wilson, Jakeem Grant and Danny Amendola is a factor that you simply can’t prepare for. Either the defensive back / linebacker can stick with them or they can’t; I am betting they cannot.
And the most important key is that Gase doesn’t forget about Kenyan Drake in the backfield. If the Dolphins can use the run to open up the pass, that’s the way this offense succeeds.
Oh, and the September heat is always a bonus.
Prediction: Dolphins 31-27 (1-0)
Week 2: @ NY Jets
Sam Darnold starting was a huge plus for the Dolphins week 2. As great as I think Darnold will be in the future, the second game of his NFL career is as good a time as any to play him.
The main reason being, he still turns the ball over…A LOT. Miami should send blitzes and show coverages that the 20-year-old has not even seen before.
Prediction: Dolphins 24-13 (2-0)
Week 3: vs. Oakland Raiders
Again, I like the matchup for Miami. With Khalil Mack being traded to Chicago, Oakland’s defense just got significantly worse (we can talk about Mack when week six rolls around).
The Raiders are coming off a down year and will still be working through the kinks with new head coach, Jon Gruden. Plus, I believe their confidence will be down.
It sounds cheesy but think about it…6-10 season, then lose Mack, which no one expected and even Carr tweeted, “no way”, and they start the season against the Rams and AT Denver.
Oakland could very well be 0-2 coming into the Miami heat week 3.
Prediction: Dolphins 27-17 (3-0)
Week 4: @ New England Patriots
Ahhhhhh the dreaded game in Foxborough. Every year I mark this down as a loss and 2018 is no different.
The Dolphins are 0-9 at New England since 2008 (the Wildcat game, one of the best games in Dolphin history), and Tom Brady will be too much for Miami once again.
Prediction: Patriots 34-23 (3-1)