Game by game predictions: Week 1 @ Cleveland Browns

It's that time of the year again here at The Dolphinsider.

Yes, it's prediction time.  Or, in this case, prediction week, as, like always, I'll go through the Fins schedule game by game and dole out my predictions.  All of this will lead up to Sunday's opening day matchup with the Cleveland Browns.  Some days I'll do only one game, other days I may do three or four, who knows.  But by the weeks end YOU will know how I EXPECT the Miami Dolphins to do this season.

So, without further ado, to week one we go.  Enjoy.

Week 1: At Cleveland Browns

All-time record against:  9-8

Some may look at this as an easy opener for the Miami Dolphins.  I mean, it's just the Cleveland Browns, right?

Wrong.

First of all, this is a different Browns team than we saw last season.  New coach, new system, new year.  Second of all, this is opening week.  Anybody can win on any given Sunday, especially the FIRST Sunday when emotions are running high.  Third of all (is that a thing?), Brandon Weeden looked GOOD in the preseason, really good.  And, fourth of all (it's a thing now), it's a ROAD game.  The NFL is not an easy league to win in, and it's especially not easy when you're on the road.  Those are just the facts.

However, with all of that being said, I expect the Miami Dolphins to win this football game.  I believe Ryan Tannehill to be the better QB.  I believe the Dolphins to have a better WR core.  And, I believe the Dolphins to have the better defense (by miles).

The two things that worry me here are Trent Richardson, and recent history.  The Browns HAVE the advantage in the running game, there should be no question about that. Richardson had a solid rookie season a year ago, and many expect him to put up big time numbers this season.  As far as Miami's running game goes, it's still a huge question mark right now.  Lamar Miller showed us glimpses of what he could be in the preseason, but wasn't consistent ENOUGH.  Daniel Thomas WAS having a big preseason, until he put up and absolute dud against Tampa Bay.  This is the one area the Fins must be careful in, as it's the only area the Browns have the advantage.

As for the recent history that I mentioned?  How about this:

The Dolphins have lost the last FOUR meetings with the Browns, and haven't beaten them since December 2004.  Yikes.  That, combined with the fact the Miami has only won ONE season opener since 2005 (2010), tells me that the football God's may not be on the Fins' side in this one.  We'll see.

All in all, I expect the Miami Dolphins to absolutely win this football game.  They have the stronger defense, the better QB, and more playmakers on BOTH sides of the football.  The should win, and they better win, because you CANNOT be giving away winnable games when you have an early season schedule like they do.

But that's for another time.

Final: Dolphins 27 Browns 16