NFL Preview- Miami Dolphins

Continuing our early look at teams around the NFL, we move down to South Florida and take a look at the Miami Dolphins.  A year ago continued the growth of Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, and the never-ending drama brought on the franchise by the Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito bullying saga.

The 2014 season sees both Tannehill and head coach Joe Philbin in make or break seasons.  While both have seen the Dolphins improve, they still haven't made the playoffs.  Entering his third season, Tannehill has to prove that he is indeed the QB now and for the forseeable future in Miami.  If he has a setback or just doesn't show he can carry a team, Miami may be looking to draft another QB early next year's draft.  Other than Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace, Tannehill doesn't seem to have a lot of receiving options.  Hopefully a second offseason will allow Tannehill and Wallace to develop the kind of chemistry needed for the top receiver and QB to succeed together.

At running back, Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas return but might both start on the bench.  Miami added Knowshon Moreno in free agency and could become the starter in the backfield.  Thomas has been only able to show spurts that he could be the top RB but mostly fizzled.  Moreno is coming off his best season in his time in the NFL, but he did with the best offense in the NFL.  While he has the talent to be the man, things will be a lot harder to come by in Miami than it did in Denver a year ago.

The defense is led by linebacker Dannell Ellerbe.  Their top pass rusher is expected to be third-year defensive end Dion Jordan.  The top cover men are expected to cornerbacks Cortland Finegan and Brent Grimes.  With the expected continued growing pains on the offensive side, the defense will have to step up to give Miami a chance in all the games.

Now let's look at how their schedule unfolds and could go:

Week 1- The Dolphins open their season home against New England.  With Gronkowski seemingly back in full strength, this could get quickly. Miami starts 0-1.

Week 2- Miami then travels to Buffalo and a battle of two young QBs.  The extra year of experience helps Tannehill and Miami. They improve to 1-1.

Week 3- They host Kansas City in Week 3.  Expect Tannehill and the Dolphins offense to take a beating in this one. They drop to 1-2.

Week 4- Miami then travels to the west coast to face the Oakland Raiders. While Oakland may sport (on paper at least) a good RB tandem, their health is a constant question mark.  Dolphins win and go to 2-2.

Week 5- An early bye week for Miami.

Week 6- The week off will be a distant memory as they take on Green Bay.  This game would probably get ugly whether the game was in Green Bay or Miami (where it is scheduled).  Miami drops to 2-3.

Week 7- Now in Chicago, the Dolphins face another top-notch offense and QB in Jay Cutler.  Miami is now 2-4.

Week 8- The Dolphins stay in Florida but travel north for their match-up with Jacksonville.  Tannehill will look better than rookie QB Blake Bortles will look.  They improve to 3-4.

Week 9- They now host the San Diego Chargers and receive a little schooling from Phillip Rivers and company. They drop 3-5.

Week 10- Tough game that could go either way in Detroit.  In the end the presence of Calvin Johnson is the difference. Miami now 3-6.

Week 11- The Dolphins host Buffalo and get a nice bounce back game. They are now 4-6.

Week 12- They next travel to Denver and receiving a lesson in offensive efficiency from the Peyton Manning-led Broncos offense.  Dolphins drop to 4-7.

Week 13- They travel to Metlife Stadium but are unable to lick their wounds.  They drop a hard one and are now 4-8-- seemingly ending any playoff hopes.

Week 14- The Dolphins return home and take on Baltimore.  They get a surprise win and improve to 5-8.

Week 15- Miami goes to Foxborough and face a Patriots team primed for another playoff run.  They drop to 5-9.

Week 16- Miami possibly faces another rookie QB in Teddy Bridgewater and need all the help they can get.  Miami now 6-9.

Week 17- The Dolphins close out the season at home against what could be a hot Jets team.  They lose to drop to 6-10.

There just doesn't seem to be possible that the Dolphins.  Games against the NY Jets, Ravens, Lions, and home against San Diego could be the difference between 6-10 or 9-7.  Either way, Miami continues their franchise-record playoff drought.