The Miami Dolphins fell extremely short of their postseason expectations in 2015, causing head coach Joe Philin to be fired just four games into the regular season. However, this Dolphins team enters the 2016 season under new head coach Adam Gase with the same expectations - compete with the Patriots for the AFC East title and make the playoffs. Will that happen? Here's a game-by-game prediction of how their season will go:
Week 1 - at Seattle Seahawks
Prediction: LOSS (0-1)
Winning in Seattle is a rarity for any team, let alone one with a first time head coach implementing a new system.
Week 2 - at New England Patriots
Prediction: LOSS (0-2)
New England has owned the division for the past 15 years for a reason - they don't lose home games to division opponents.
Week 3 - vs Cleveland Browns
Prediction: WIN (1-2)
The Browns are a mess, and they'll come at the perfect time for a Dolphins team in desperate need of a win.
Week 4 - at Cincinnati Bengals
Prediction: LOSS (1-3)
With just three days off before this Thursday night showdown, the Dolphins will have a tough time playing to their potential against one of the league's best teams on the road.
Week 5 - vs Tennessee Titans
Prediction: WIN (2-3)
Another home game against a struggling franchise, another win for a Miami team looking to pick up steam.
Week 6 - vs Pittsburgh Steelers
Prediction: LOSS (2-4)
There is the potential for an upset here as Gase will come up with an excellent gameplan to exploit Pittsburgh's weak secondary, but the Steelers have an offense that can outscore anyone. Advantage: Steelers.
Week 7 - vs Buffalo Bills
Prediction: WIN (3-4)
Buffalo won both games against the Dolphins last year by outphysicalling them - that won't be the case again in 2016.
Week 9 - at New York Jets
Prediction: WIN (4-4)
New York overachieved in a big way last season, and I expect them to take step back this season as Ryan Fitzpartick (or whoever plays quarterback) comes back to Earth. Miami will be starting to find their groove under Gase with this win.
Week 10 - at San Diego Chargers
Prediction: WIN (5-4)
San Diego is in full-on rebuilding mode, making this an easy win for a Dolphins team that is starting to play up to their potential.
Week 11 - at Los Angeles Rams
Prediction: LOSS (5-5)
LA's aggressive defense will give Ryan Tannehill problems and force multiple turnovers, which will send Miami crashing back to .500.
Week 12 - vs San Francisco 49ers
Prediction: WIN (6-5)
The 49ers will be improved under Chip Kelly, but Miami's stellar pass rush will either render Colin Kaepernick's running ability ineffective or will force Blaine Gabbert to throw multiple interceptions.
Week 13 - at Baltimore Ravens
Prediction: WIN (7-5)
Baltimore is another struggling team looking to find their way, and with their lack of offensive weapons, the Dolphins should have a field day getting to Joe Flacco.
Week 14 - vs Arizona Cardinals
Prediction: LOSS (7-6)
Arizona has arguably the best overall roster in the NFL, and that top-to-bottom talent will exploit all of Miami's weaknesses.
Week 15 - at New York Jets
Prediction: WIN (8-6)
Miami will need a win to keep any realistic chance of making the playoffs alive, and that extra motivation will push them to a win over the Jets team that's imploding thanks to poor QB play.
Week 16 - at Buffalo Bills
Prediction: LOSS (8-7)
In what should be a crucial battle with major wild card implications, Miami falls to Buffalo on the road. Tannehill and the Dolphins tend to struggle in cold weather, and I wouldn't be surprised if this was a rather snowy game.
Week 17 - vs New England Patriots
Prediction: WIN (9-7)
At this point, New England has wrapped up a top seed and will likely rest their starters while Miami will be fighting for a playoff berth. That increased sense of urgency gives the Dolphins the advantage and, ultimately, the win.
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