Record after week 12: 6-5
All-time record against: 44-49-1
I'm not sure even the most talented psychic could tell you what the New York Jets will look like at this point in the season. One has to assume that, barring an injury, Geno Smith will still be the starter, but beyond that I have no idea. The only thing this team will do well this season is play defense, and that may very well keep them in their fair share of games. But will it be enough in this one? I don't see it. Give me Tannehill and the Fins. (Would be a classic Dolphins loss though... Gulp.)
Final: Dolphins 27 Jets 13
Record after week 13: 7-5
All-time record against: 9-12
The obvious story line here is Mike Wallace returning to Pittsburgh, and it'll be a fun one to follow if both these teams are in the playoff race, which I expect they will be. Expect this to be another defensive struggle, and expect the field goal kickers to play a big part in this one. I'm not sure why I get that feeling, but there's just something about Heinz Field in December and late game FG's that go together. This is a big time game for the Miami Dolphins, especially if these two teams are battling for a wild card spot. Unfortunately, the mix of Ben Roethlisberger, December, and Heinz Field just doesn't give me a good feeling in this one. I'll take Pittsburgh in a low scoring, high tension ballgame.
Final: Dolphins 16 Steelers 19
Record after week 14: 7-6
All-time record against: 49-43
With only three games left, I expect this to be a huge game for the Miami Dolphins. I'm not saying it'll be a must win, but lets be honest, what December game usually isn't a must win? The question now becomes, is this the game the Miami Dolphins FINALLY knock of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots? Well, good a time as ever, right? There's no denying that fact that Tom Brady just doesn't play as well in Miami as he does in New England, just look at last year's game in South Florida, where the less talented Fins only lost by a score of 23-16. Am I saying I see a Fins win here? Not exactly. I'm just saying it WOULDN'T surprise me, especially given the location. As for my pick, well, everybody's a genius in September, right?
Final: Patriots 24 Dolphins 28
Record after week 15: 8-6
All-time record against: 57-40-1
Listen, Buffalo in December is NEVER a gimme, it's just not. Should the Fins win this game? Absolutely. Could it be a trap game? ABSOLUTELY. Miami performed poorly last year in Buffalo, despite only losing 19-14, and this one worries me because I expect the stakes to be even higher in this one. I'm going to give the Fins the "W," but I'd like to also stick a sign over this game saying "proceed with caution," because it's got trap written all over it.
Final: Dolphins 24 Bills 16
Record after week 16: 9-6
All-time record against: 44-49-1
Well, if the Fins truly are 9-6 heading into this game, then this should be on heck of a season finale, huh? The Jets will be playing obvious spoilers, which can always be scary, but regardless, I expect Miami to win this game. To be honest with you, the Fins could be 6-9 heading into this game and I'd still pick them with relative confidence. They're just the better football team, plain and simple. Give me the Fins in a big season finale win. Will it be their final game of the season? Thats the real question here.
Final: Jets 13 Dolphins 30
Predicted final record: 10-6
Bold? Possibly.
Expectations too high? Maybe by one game, but if this team doesn't produce 9-10 wins this season then, as I've said before, it should be considered a FAILURE. You don't go out and spend all the offseason money to go 8-8, folks, you just don't. Am I saying this team HAS to make the playoffs this season? No. If they go 9-7, or 10-6 (although I expect 10 wins to get them in), and don't make the playoffs, then so be it. Baby steps, Dolfans. You haven't had a winning season in five years, 9-10 wins this year would be HUGE, playoffs or not.
So there you have it, our second annual week by week predictions series is in the books. As always, these predictions are subject to change on a weekly basis, as nobody, including myself, really knows what this Dolphin team is all about. My final prediction though will remain the same, however. I've set the bar at 9-10 wins for this team. How they get there is up to them, just as long as they get there.
Come back tomorrow for a full day of Miami Dolphins coverage, concluding in my week one picks for each game.
Two. Days.
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