Off-season additions, Brady’s departure from NE, and a favorable schedule play in the Dolphins’ favor. Don’t be surprised if Miami goes 10-6 and wins the AFC East.
Courtesy: Change.org
The most significant addition to Miami’s offense is QB Tua Tagovailoa. He’ll replace Josh Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick–a tandem that combined for 4100 yards passing last year with 21 TDs and 18 INTs. As long as Tua remains healthy, he’ll improve the Dolphins’ QB play, including helping DeVante Parker have a breakout season.
But the QB position wasn’t the only off-season improvement. Miami did a lot to improve one of the team’s most glaring weaknesses–the O-line–a line that ranked last in the NFL last year with 58 sacks. To flip that script, the Dolphins drafted four linemen, including two players in the opening two rounds. A better O-line will give Tua more time to throw and run when needed.
And Miami’s defense will be improved, too. The Dolphins had a serviceable defense in 2019, and they’ll be even better this time. One reason is secondary additions–Byron Jones (Cowboys) and Noah Igbinoghene (Auburn). Jones was the best free-agent corner available, and Igbinoghene was a top-5 corner in the 2020 NFL Draft.
And even if teams counter by running more, they’ll be running into a Miami strength.
The Dolphins had the League’s 5th best run-defense last year, and the run defense will even better in 2020 with the addition of Shaq Lawson, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Raekwon Davis on the defensive line, and Kyle Van Noy at linebacker.
The schedule also works in the Dolphins’ favor. Miami gets a break by playing New England in Week 1 with an untested QB. And if the Dolphins can split the season series with Buffalo, they could challenge the Bills for the division crown.
So there you have it, NFL fans. The Miami Dolphins–a team that few are giving the credit they deserve–could win the AFC East and be playoff-bound.
