Week 7 Games for Miami Dolphins fans to keep an eye on
By George Keim
Miami Dolphins fans continue to watch the other NFL games as they relate to draft position and this week is no different with several games on hand.
Week 7 is upon us and once again it’s time for Miami Dolphins fans to take a look around the league to keep an eye on the teams whose draft picks we hold in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Sunday – 1:00 pm – Houston Texans (4-2) at Indianapolis Colts (3-2)
The Texan’s first-round pick, which the Dolphins own, currently resides at #25 overall. The Texans are coming off a nice road win in Kansas City, traditionally a very tough place to play. The Texans will once again go on the road, to take on the Indianapolis Colts. This game is for an early lead in the AFC South. The Colts are coming off their bye week so they should be a well-rested team. Houston has as strong on the road this year as they have been at home, posting a 2-1 record for both. This will be a close inter-division game. I’m going to give the Colts a nod in this one citing a home game off a bye. Indianapolis Colts 24 – Houston Texans 20
Sunday – 4:25 pm – New Orleans Saints (5-1) at Chicago Bears (3-2)
I’m not sure many people saw the New Orleans Saints sitting at 5-1 at this point in the year after losing Drew Brees to injury in week 2. The Dolphins hold the Saints second-round pick and have watched it devalue each week. The pick currently sits at #60 overall. The Saints led by Teddy Bridgewater have been as hot as anyone in the league. The Bears, on the other hand, have been up and down. They too lost their quarterback for multiple games. The Bears are also coming off of a bye after returning home from their London game. The Bears need a win. The Saints may be without Alvin Kamara in this one. Couple this with a stout Bears’ defense and the Saints could suffer their first loss under Teddy Bridgewater. In fact, that’s what I think will happen here. The Bears’ defense does its job and picks up a critical home win.
Chicago Bears 20 – New Orleans Saints 17
Sunday – 1:00 pm – Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-6)
Another team Phin fans should keep their eye on is the Cincinnati Bengals. The 0 and 6 Bengals currently hold the #1 overall pick as they have a game in hand over the Dolphins at this point. The Dolphins play the Bengals in week 16 which very well maybe for the #1 overall pick. The Bengals are at a point where they should be looking for a replacement for Andy Dalton. This week the Bengals host the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars traded Jalen Ramsey in a Laremy Tunsil type trade. The Jaguars have set themselves up to be players in the first round of the next 2 drafts. Could a “rebuild” be in their future as well? While the Bengals are still winless all but two of their losses have been decided by less than a touchdown. This shows the Bengals are still playing hard. I think this is the week Cincinnati gets their first win. The Jaguar’s defense isn’t what it used to be, especially with the loss of Jalen Ramsey. Cincinnati finds enough offense in this one. Cincinnati Bengals 23 – Jacksonville Jaguars 21.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are on a bye this week. Their victory last week against the San Diego Chargers propelled their first-round pick into the #9 overall spot. This is not a trend Dolphin fans want to continue.
The Dolphins are still the odds on favorite to land the #1 overall pick. As a fan, it’s hard to watch this team lose week in and week out, the thought of how fun and hopefully effective this rebuild could make it worth it.