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 New England Patriots.
However, this year I'm going to alter the format just a bit.
I'm no longer going to give the final scores, just a simple "win," or "lose."
Secondly, I'm not doing 16 separate game by game predictions. Instead, I'm going to divide my predictions segment into four different posts: First quarter of the season, halfway mark, third quarter, and the last four games.
And, as always, these are my all to early predictions. They're going to change at some point during the season, that's just the way the NFL goes. However, my final record for the team will remain the same. The wins may come in different areas, but the final number will be consistent.
To the first quarter of the 2014 season we go!
Week 1:
New England Patriots
All-time record against: 51-46
I'm going to be brief with this one because you'll get a heavy dosage of Patriots talk over the next five days. I've gone back and forth on this matchup for months now, and I'm still not confident one way or another.
The Dolphins have a lot going for them here. It's the home opener. It's September. They'll be rolling out a new look offense that BB and crew haven't had a chance to fully game plan for.
However, they're still facing Tom Brady with a healthy (kinda) Rob Gronkowski. That's problematic for a defense with a shaky linebacking core. New England also has a shiny new toy on defense named Darrelle Revis, ever heard of him? He'll be joining a defense that's as solid as they come.
This game will go to the 4th quarter as all Patriots/Dolphins games do, and I expect a tight finish, much like last December.
Unfortunately, I just don't think this Dolphins team is quite up to the challenge. Not yet, at least.
Outcome: LOSS
Week 2:
At Buffalo Bills
All time record against: 57-42-1
Buffalo scares me, especially after the beat down (times 2) they handed us a year ago. The Dolphins just don't matchup well against the Bills, plain and simple. To be honest, I had Miami winning week one and losing week two nearly all summer long, but I think I've flip-flopped on that now.
The Bills offense has been horrendous this preseason, and I'm not sold on EJ Manuel. I also think this Dolphins team will be coming off a hotly contested loss the previous week and will be looking for revenge against the team that virtually knocked them out of the postseason a year ago.
I'm going to play the emotions card here in week two, and say the Fins get back to .500 in upstate New York.
Outcome: WIN
Week 3:
Kansas City Chiefs
All time record against: 16-12
I like this matchup for Miami. Alex Smith isn't a world beater, which means the defense can focus on Jamaal Charles. If they can shut him down, no easy task mind you, they should win this football game.
I also think the Chiefs are going to come back down to earth this season. I'm not saying they'll be bad, but I don't think they'll be quite as dominant.
Combine that with the added pressure of getting that first home win of the season and I think the Fins pull it off.
Outcome: WIN
Week 4:
At Oakland Raiders (London)
All time record against: 16-19-1
I can't remember the last time the Dolphins lost to the Raiders. Seriously, it's been a while (2007 to be exact).
I don't see that ending here. Not with a rookie QB at the helm.
This matchup favors the Dolphins any way you spin it.
Outcome: WIN
Record after first quarter of the season: 3-1
Look for the next four games sometime tomorrow.
We're almost there.
5 days.
No comments:
Post a Comment