The Miami Dolphins come fresh off a 8-8 season in 2013. Miami will have the sights set on the playoffs for 2014. Talk already has surrounded the Dolphins amid training camp that it's playoffs or bust. Will they make a run into the playoffs this year?
Offense: Miami Dolphins had some of lower overall avg's on offense all around. You might not know it by looking at the individuals themselves. Finishing the year ranked #20th in the pass and #26 in the rush for 2013. QB Ryan Tannehill threw for 24td's and just shy of 4,000 yds. WR Brian Hartline had 1,000 yds, and Mike Wallace also chipped in with 930 yards. The big issue with Miami has been the run game. Miami Hurricane 2nd year man Lamar Miller ran the ball for 709 yds and only managed to gather 2 td's. The more you dig on the team the more lost you really get. Miami just found ways to win and lose games. They are a mediocre to slightly above avg across the board. One thing the offense was great at was penalties. They only avg about 4.5 penalties per game. Turnovers were -2. The offensive special teams gave them little to hope for. Offensive line should be a little better as they plug a huge hole with 19th pick in the draft at RT Ja'wuan James. The biggest knock on this team and it's a killer in the NFL. Third down was this teams achilles heel. Ranking #29th in the league. That's what killed them, settling for punts and FG's really hurt this team. 2014 Miami can improve in all areas. I think this team has the weapons on offense with another year as a unit under the belt to get it together. New addition Jarvis Landry has been getting some good reviews and Knowshon Moreno making the move from Denver will give some added depth to the back field. I do think Lamar Miller will be the #1 back throughout the year and deservedly so. Here's some thoughts. Miami can improve the run with another back and another year in the offense. The pass can come together very well. TE Clay is a huge target and a big part of the passing attack. QB Tannehill will be much more comfortable this year in still a weak AFC. I see Miami making the top 12-15 in most offensive categories. This unit will improve. 3rd down will dictate just how much they do.
Defense: The defense is about as middle of the road as you get. Led by DE Cameron Wake, DE Olivier Vernon, LB Dannell Ellerbe and veteran CB Cortland Finnegan. This unit will be better this year in my eyes. I can't see a regression with this unit unless they get plagued by the injury bug. This was a underachieving bunch in 2013. The areas to improve on are basic, as in tackling. Teams seem to break tackles against this unit often. Improve that and they will help themselves out. Creating fumbles was a down side to the defense. Only gathering 6 total fumbles all of 2013. Again, a area they can improve on once again. Overall they avg #16th in the pass def and 24th in rush defense. They had issues controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball but it showed with this team on defense. They gave up around 20ppg which isn't all that bad, but the offense left them with soft production in pts last year making it harder on the defense. This team has some great upside to the youth this year. Miami will circle the wagon and come together as a more complete group and get more production out of the numbers as a unit. I believe the results will show with this defensive unit in a few short weeks.
Projected Team Total 7.5 (-125u)
http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/schedule/_/name/mia
Schedule: Overall with the schedule i see a manageable schedule this year. Last year they lost both games to division rival Buffalo Bills. I think they can get a split. They did split with NE and NYJ last year. They went 4-4 on the road and at home. If they can improve at home things may line up for an above .500 season. They will face the NFC north this year and that's never and easy task. One thing they do get the benefit of is an early bye week. If they need fixing, better to fix it in the beginning than at the end. As far as the home schedule i think they can walk away with 4 wins 5 will be a stretch IMO. The road games will really decide if they make the playoffs. I think they can win 5 road games. @Buff @Oak @Jack @Det @NYJ. Splitting with NE will be crucial as well and making some team coming to Miami pay for overlooking the Dolphins. Teams such as GB, SD,KC,Balt...Overall i can see Miami hitting 8 or 9 at the most.
Pick: This team has much to improve on and can in my eyes. Most of the things they need to sure up are basic fundamentals. This team will be overlooked as they never really seem to threaten to be a tough team as we have seen in years past. I think they are tired of being disrespected and will show some real motivation this year to improve all around as a team. Coach Philbin may get his walking papers if this team does not make it into the playoffs. Again, more motivation to up the ante this year. Contracts will be a big concern with this team come years end as well. They have some space in that dept. I really think we see a strong drive out of this team week in and week out and the number at 7.5 seems a bit low.. I can only look one direction with this team and that's....
Play Miami Dolphins Over 7.5 TT (-105)