Miami is a different team than the one that beat the Patriots last season in week 17. They are much improved as evident by the $237M they spent on 12 Free Agents including three former Patriots. They signed linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts, along with offensive lineman, Ted Karras. All three were named captains. They also had 11 draft picks (3- 1’s, 2-2’s) in what I thought was a very good draft.
Last season the Dolphins were the youngest and most inexperienced team in the NFL. Their average age was 25.1 (The Patriots were the oldest).