Did the Miami Dolphins help push Tom Brady out the door in New England? Before you answer, remember this — in Week 17 last year, the Patriots were playing Miami at home. A win would give New England a bye through the wild card round of the playoffs, as they had already clinched the AFC East title. However, the Dolphins converted a late scoring drive in the waning moments of the fourth quarter to beat the Patriots in Foxborough and keep New England from clinching the bye. Tennessee came to New England the next week and eliminated the Patriots from the playoffs…and then Tom Brady left to join the Buccaneers, the frustration obvious in his press conference. Now Miami has drafted Tua Tagovailoa as possibly the next franchise quarterback. How will he do? We have a game-by-game preview of the Miami season for your NFL betting consideration.
NFL Betting: Miami Dolphins 2020 Schedule Analysis
Week 1: at New England
Miami starts 2020 right where they finished 2019: at New England. Will Ryan Fitzpatrick start at quarterback? Or will the Dolphins give the keys to Tua right away? The Patriots look set to start second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham. Will he be ready after a virtual off-season? I see another Dolphins upset. Prediction: Win
Week 2: vs Buffalo
The Bills are the favorite to win the AFC East this year (yes, it’s been a long time since you read that sentence in a sports article). They added Stefon Diggs to boost their offense, and they will have too much for the Dolphins to counter. Prediction: Loss
Week 3: at Jacksonville
This is a Thursday night game, which means a short week — which usually means ugly offense. Gardner Minshew vs Tua (or Fitzpatrick) could mean a low-scoring affair, but the Dolphins have the better talent. Prediction: Win
Week 4: vs Seattle
That’s a long road trip for these Seahawks, but they have done unusually well in East Coast time zone road games the past few years. The Seahawks came within a whisker of winning the NFC West last year, and I see them controlling the Miami attack. Prediction: Loss
Week 5: at San Francisco
The 49ers could be in the midst of Super Bowl hangover in Week 5, and the Tua Show could put up some big numbers in a hurry before the Niners’ defensive line wakes up. Prediction: Win
Week 6: at Denver
Another long road trip across time zones — and this one goes to high altitude. Denver is also in mid-rebuild with Drew Lock running the offense. I’m not sure Miami can pull off back-to-back road wins. Prediction: Loss
Week 7: vs L.A. Chargers
Tua vs Justin Herbert? Or Tyrod Taylor? The Chargers have the talent on defense and in the offensive skill positions to take this one. Prediction: Loss
Week 8: at L.A. Rams
I think the Rams will continue their slow implosion that started last year. Tua will find some open receivers down the field and deliver the upset. Prediction: Win
Week 9: at Arizona
That makes four road trips to the Mountain or Pacific time zones in five weeks, in case you were counting. Arizona is my sleeper pick in the NFC West this year, and I see Kyler Murray making the Miami secondary look silly. Prediction: Loss
Week 10: vs N.Y. Jets
The Jets have Sam Darnold coming back in his third year as quarterback. They beefed up the O-line, so they’re a little bit ahead of the Dolphins on the rebuild timeline. But I’m not sure the Jets can get this win on the road. Prediction: Win
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: at N.Y. Jets
After the bye, these two similar teams tangle once again…and the Jets will hold serve at home. Prediction: Loss
Week 13: vs Cincinnati
Joe Burrow has the arm and the accuracy to be the next great quarterback in Cincinnati. However, the talent around him is still subpar. Prediction: WinWeek 14: vs Kansas City
The Chiefs will be honing in on another AFC West title by this point. Prediction: Loss
Week 15: vs New England
Tua continues to develop in Miami — but so does Jarrett Stidham. Can Belichick get the split? Yes, he can. Prediction: Loss
Week 16: at Las Vegas
Tua vs Derek Carr makes for an intriguing matchup, especially if Tua has an almost complete season under his belt by this point. I like the Dolphins to pick up a big road win here. Prediction: Win
Week 17: at Buffalo
A warm-weather team playing in the snow, or at least the blustery wind, of Buffalo? When the Bills are closing in on a division title, and perhaps a bye? Prediction: Loss
Season Record Prediction: 8-8
