Game by game predictions: Weeks 10/11/12: @ Tampa Bay, San Diego, Carolina

Record after week 9: 4-4

All-time record against: 5-4


I love the Miami Dolphins in this football game, for a number of reasons.  Number one, they're coming off a Thursday night game, so they have an extended week of preparation.  Number two, it's a de-facto home game as it's in Florida.  Number three, Josh freeman isn't a world beater, and if the defense can contain Doug Martin (Big IF), they should dominate defensively.  Offensively, Ryan Tannehill could very well struggle going up against one of, if not the best, secondary's in the NFL, so expect a heavy dose of Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas in this one.  This one will be a defensive struggle, no doubt about it, which means it'll come down to which QB can do more for their team. And I like Tannehill over Freeman.

Final: Dolphins 17 Buccaneers 13

Record after week 10: 5-4

All-time record against: 12-12


The Chargers are one of those teams that have a HUGE question mark over them.  They have severely underachieved over the past couple of years, but that was a Norv Turner led team.  With Turner out, and former Broncos DC Mike McCoy in, there is no telling how this team will do this season.  They have the QB to do big things, and, if healthy, they have a formidable RB in Ryan Matthews.  Defensively, they struggle against the run, but were one of the best against the pass a year ago.  HOWEVER, I'm a huge believer in the whole West coast teams struggling on the East coast theory, and this game has that written all over it.  In a back and forth affair, give me the Fins at home in a big time win.

Final: Chargers 24 Dolphins 27

Record after week 11: 6-4

All-time record against: 4-0


This one will be fun.  Both teams are considered dark horses this season, and both teams are similar in certain areas.  Two good defenses, two young QB's, and two teams who I expect to be very much in the playoff hunt at this point in the season.  The person who worries me here is, who else, Cam Newton.  The Fins have historically struggled against mobile QB's, just look at Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, and Colin Kaepernick last season, and I expect more of the same here with Newton.  Another thing that worries me is that Carolina defense.  They ranked in the top ten a year ago in points per game, allowing a measly 22.7, and were right around the top ten in both rushing and passing. The Fins may be undefeated against the Panthers in their four career meetings, but it'll be a tough task to keep that up here.

Final: Panthers 21 Dolphins 17


The Fins completed their FINAL practice before Sunday's opener this morning, and will be off to Cleveland soon.  Expect this prediction series to end either later today or tomorrow as it's time to focus on the Cleveland Browns.  Look for a flurry of articles tomorrow as the Fins are 48 hours away from KICKOFF, including what's at stake for the team this season.  And, as always, I'll have my week one full slate of picks for every game tomorrow night.

The NFL has BEGUN.

48 hours.