Final five weeks of season predictions; Injury report heading into season opener

Lighting round of the season predictions here, lets do it.

Overall record after week 12:  5-6

All-time record against:  50-43

This one is in Miami, and the Fins always play the Pats tough when they come to town.  In-fact, the last time the Dolphins beat the Pats will be nearly two years to the day when these two meet in December, a 22-20 Chad Henne led win.

I expect this to be a relatively high scoring game from both ends, but asking Ryan Tannehill to keep up with Tom Brady is an awful lot, and given the Fins struggles to cover tight ends I expect Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to have a field day. Miami will keep it close into the second half, but I expect the the Pats offense to be too much for young Tannehill to compete with.

Final: Patriots 34 Dolphins 23

Overall record after week 13:  5-7

All-time record against:  6-5

This is arguably the most daunting game on Miami's schedule.  The 49ers defense resembles the Ravens unit of 2000, and could give Ryan Tannehill serious problems. Defensively, the Fins must take Vernon Davis out of the game, as he is a popular target of QB Alex Smith.

If the Fins are to have any chance to win this game they must win the turnover battle. Pressuring Alex Smith and not giving him a short field to work with will be crucial here, along with Ryan Tannehill having a near perfect day on the other side of the ball. Unfortunately, I don't see it.  But hey, crazier things have happened, right?

Final: Dolphins 13 49ers 24

Overall record after week 14:  5-8

All-time record against:  2-3

Two rookie head coaches going at it here in week 15 as Mike Mularkey and the Jacksonville Jaguars come to Miami.  The real key for the Fins will be to contain Maurice Jones Drew and force Blaine Gabbert to throw the ball.  The unproven QB had a terrible rookie campaign and was turnover prone, something the Dolphins must expose in this game to be successful.

Cam Wake will play a big part in this one, constantly pressuring Gabbert into making bad throws, and if Ryan Tannehill and the Fins offense can put any kind of points on the board against a very good Jacksonville defense, and I expect they will, then I think Miami gets a win here.

Final: Jaguars 17 Dolphins 27

Overall record after week 15:  6-8

All-time record against:  56-39-1

I'll make it short and sweet.  Fins don't lose to Buffalo twice in a year.

Final: Bills 24 Dolphins 27

Overall record after week 16:  7-8

All-time record against:  50-43

Final week of the year here for the Miami Dolphins.  No, I don't see them making the playoffs, but as I've said before, that's not what this year is about.  It's about Ryan Tannehill progressing, and the Miami Dolphins progressing overall as an organization.

If they come into this week at 7-8 then that has clearly happened, but that's a big IF. They could easily win four games this year like many are projecting them to do, although I don't see that.  I see Ryan Tannehill surprising a lot of people this season, even with the lack of receiving help around him, and don't be surprised if Reggie Bush has a bigger year than most think, both through the air and on the ground.

Oh, and in regards to this game, I'll give my upset pick of the year here in week 17.

Why?

Well, everybody needs an upset pick.

Final: Dolphins 28 Patriots 27

Final record: 8-8

Gulp.

[One more note on the season picks as a whole.  Obviously, they are subject to change on a weekly basis depending on the Dolphins performance the previous week and the season as a whole.  Yeah, I just left myself a little wiggle room, what did you expect?]



The injury report going into week 1:

Jake Long is healthy and will play.  Brian Hartline, who missed the entire preseason, will also play.  Koa Misi will play and start at outside linebacker, and John Jerry will start at right guard.

The only Dolphin who is questionable is defensive lineman Tony McDaniel, who is banged up with a toe/knee injury.  His status is unknown for tomorrow's game.

For the Texans, Arian Foster is listed as questionable but expects to play.  Good news for my fantasy team, bad news for the Fins.  And linebacker Brookes Reed is also listed as questionable and status is unknown.

Check back later for my week 1 picks for all of Sunday and Monday's games.