Miami Dolphins 2014 Team Preview and Predictions

The draft is over, training camps are underway, and it’s time to dig into the blissful over-examination that is the NFL preseason. For all you football junkies out there, we present our first look at all 32 teams in the NFL, including the Miami Dolphins below, as well as their divisional rivals the New England Patriots and the conference favorites Denver Broncos.

For the Miami Dolphins, this 2014 season is all about starting over. With the emergence of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who set rookie franchise records in passing departments in his rookie season in 2012, it seemed like the Dolphins were on the right track ahead of their 2013 campaign.

But after the Richie Incognito debacle put the entire Dolphins franchise to shame, Miami is looking to create a better image and find a first playoff appearance in six years will surely help in doing just that.

You can create a pretty fine image of your own if you take a moment to create a betting account and get in on all the NFL action this season before reading on for a complete look at the 2014 Miami Dolphins.
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Miami Dolphins Team Preview for the 2014/2015 NFL Season

Overview

2013-2014 Regular Season: 8-8 SU 9-7 ATS

The Dolphins once again finished on a disappointing note after it seemed they were on the verge of breaking into the playoff picture in 2013. A 3-0 start boosted Dolphins’ fans hopes that this could finally be the year, but they floundered and lost six of their next eight games to arrive at a 5-6 slate.

A three-game winning streak capped by a 24-20 upset victory over the New England Patriots put them back in prime position to enter the postseason. But their playoff hopes were dashed once and for all when they bowed to the Bills 19-0 and fell to the Jets 20-7 in the final two weeks of the season to finish with an 8-8 record.

[sc:NFL240banner ]Central to Miami’s Super Bowl hopes this season, which are currently priced at +5,000, is Tannehill and his continued improvement in the quarterback position. Building on his 2012 season where he set franchise records for a rookie in passing yards in a game (431), passing yards in a season (3,294), season passing attempts (484) and season pass completions (282), he went on and improved on every one of those departments in his second year.

He threw for 3,913 passing yards in the season and had 355 pass completions out of 588 attempts. His partnership with receiver Mike Wallace maybe a disappointment for now considering the amount of money they paid their marquee signing last season ($60 million for 5 years) but one successful partnership that the Dolphins can continue to be delighted with is the Ryan Tannehill – Brian Hartline connection.

For the second successive season, Hartline caught 70+passes and had 1000+ receiving yards, making him just the fourth Dolphins receiver to ever accomplish the feat.

These three will be crucial in the Dolphins’ quest to end their playoff rut. The Dolphins have the second best price for an AFC East team to win the conference championship at +2400 and are +500 to win the AFC East.

Offseason Highlights

The team’s key offseason acquisitions this season focused on improving their offensive line after they allowed a franchise-record 58 sacks on Tannehill last season. They got Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert and used their first round draft pick on right tackle Ja’Wuan James to address this glaring problem.

Their rebuilding of the offensive line suffered a huge setback, however, with the news that Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey underwent hip surgery and could miss a third of the upcoming NFL season.

Key NFL Betting Matchups of 2014 NFL Season

Week 1 vs. New England Patriots – Ryan Tannehill and Tom Brady once again square off after that epic Week 15 matchup last December. In what could be Tannehill’s best performance yet in his young career, he went toe-to-toe with Brady, throwing 312 yards for three touchdowns in response to Brady’s 364-yard, two-touchdown performance. The Dolphins’ 24-20 upset victory snapped their three-game home losing streak to the Patriots.

The Dolphins are 2-2-1 ATS in their last 5 games at home against New England. With both teams hoping for a solid start to the season, this will be a game to watch in Week 1.

Week 4 @ Oakland Raiders – The Dolphins, whose win total line is set at 7.0 wins, go on the road to face the Raiders at the famed Wembley Stadium in London.  Given the opportunity to play in such a marquee game outside of the United States, this could boost the Dolphins’ confidence so early in the season and propel them for a deep playoff run. Either that, or the trip across the Atlantic makes them extra tired mid-season and cost them a key game or two.

Prediction

With the rebuilding of the offensive line hit with the injury to Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey, the Dolphins will find it difficult to get over the hump and usurp the New England Patriots’ dominance in the AFC East. Take the Dolphins to go over their 7.0 win total line but finish the season with the same 8-8 slate last campaign.
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