It’s that time of the year again where we make some way too early Miami Dolphins 2021 predictions. Last year we went for an 8-8 record, which wasn’t too far off the mark in the end after all the craziness with COVID-19, empty stadiums, opt-outs, and all the things that made 2020 so different.
This year we’re all expecting more. Tua in year two with a full preseason and two new OC’s, and a new QB coach all in to get the best of him. With no major upgrade at the RB position we’d also be expecting to see steps from Gaskin and Ahmed as the Miami Dolphins coaches clearly have faith in them to lead the backfield.
Major upgrades in the receiving corps see Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle pose more of a deep threat, and underneath threat, and YAC. And of course Brian Flores has new toys to play with on defence led by rookies Jaelan Phillips and Jevon Holland
MIAMI DOLPHINS 2021 PREDICTIONS FIRST HALF
WEEK 1: @ New England
The same opening game as last season and a major litmus test for the new Dolphins offense against arguably one of the best defensive minds in the game today. I’m not a fan of this matchup out of the gate and think the Dolphins drop a close one. 0-1
WEEK 2: Buffalo
The same week two game as last season but the Bills now look genuine contenders after their 2020 performance. However, the retooled Dolphins will have some fun against the Bills defence, and Josh Allen will not find his groove in this one as the Dolphins win. 1-1
WEEK 3: @ Las Vegas
Derek Carr doesn’t scare any defence in the league, despite their win over the Chiefs last season, and this Dolphins D will give him nightmares. This should’ve been an easy win last season as Tua left a number of plays out on the field but he’ll be better in year 2. Dolphins win. 2-1
WEEK 4: Indianapolis
Carson Wentz and the Colts come to town, and they’re as steady as the steadiest team you will find. But Wentz won’t put up many points on this defence. Dolphins win. 3-1
WEEK 5: @ Tampa Bay
The best team in the league returns every starting player. Barring injuries I think they’ll be too much for the Dolphins. 3-2
WEEK 6: @ Jacksonville in London
Our Miami Dolphins 2021 predictions hit international lands and though Trevor Lawrence may prove to be one of the greats, but Tua will outplay him in this game and there’s no way the Dolphins are leaving England without another win. 4-2
WEEK 7: Atlanta
A potentially tricky game on the back of the 4,000+ mile trip to London but Flores can keep this defence on top of its game, and Tua will pick apart a defence that still has a tonne of holes. Dolphins win. 5-2
WEEK 8: @ Buffalo
It’s the tricky trip north that worries me most in this stretch of games and while the snow and cold shouldn’t be an issue this season the Bills split the series and the Dolphins drop to 5-3
Miami Dolphins 2021 predictions Middle Game
WEEK 9: Houston
This has become something of a grudge match after the Dolphins haul in the Laremy Tunsil trade, and the rumours this off-season about the Dolphins potentially trading for Deshaun Watson. No one should forget that this team was horrendous last season and Watson and Fuller were the only bright spots….and only Fuller will play (but not for Houston). Tua will light the Texans up for an easy win. 6-3
WEEK 10: Baltimore
If Lamar Jackson is healthy the Dolphins will need to do something that has plagued this defence for years and stop a genuine running QB. Sadly this is one step too far for this young Dolphins roster. 6-4
WEEK 11: @ NY Jets
The Jets should be starting to worry people. They won’t be competitive this year, and with limited additions on the defensive end expect Tua to have another very good game. But long term the Jets look to be building the right way. Dolphins win. 7-4
WEEK 12: Carolina
Another game I have bad feelings about. CMC back on the field, but Sam Darnold has proven very nothing in his three years. Still I have a nagging suspicion that this is the prove it game for the Dolphins. Against a team they should beat, time to prove we’re the real deal. Dolphins win. 8-4
WEEK 13: NY Giants
It’s that infamous, love-it-or-hate-it seventeenth game that’s been added to the schedule. It’s a potential cracker with the Giants spending big to retool their receiving core, and Saquon Barkley back (assuming he’s still healthy in week 13). The Dolphins however are a much more rounded team, and assuming fatigue doesn’t get them this will be a tough grind, but another win. 9-4
Miami Dolphins 2021 predictions BYE WEEK
It’s a very, very late bye week. But it gives the Dolphins the chance to get healthy and make that playoff push over the final four-game sprint. All the Miami Dolphins 2021 predictions are really resting on the Dolphins ability to slog through those first 13 games, and an international trip without picking up too many injuries
WEEK 15: NY Jets
A nice easy win after the bye. 10-4
WEEK 16: @ New Orleans
This is a tough one to pick, will it be Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston? Will either be any good. The Saints are still a good team despite the retirement of Drew Brees and I think the Saints may be one step too far and the four game winning streak ends. 10-5
WEEK 17: @ Tennessee
Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, and a team a couple of years further down the road than the Dolphins. I think this will be a very tough, tight, and cold, cold game. But the Titans will edge it. 10-6
WEEK 18: New England
The Patriots come to Miami and lose obviously. Whether Mac Jones, or Cam Newton, the surprises of week 1 are no longer surprises and this team has formed a cohesive winning unit. 11-6
So our Miami Dolphins 2021 predictions end with a very good 11-6, one win more than in 2020 and a playoff birth. Tua will prove he’s the QB of the future, Phillips will win DROTY.
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