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2014 Miami Dolphins Odds | Season Preview | NFL Predictions

2014 Dolphins NFL Handicapping

Dolphins Not Ready To Compete In Improved AFC East Division

The Miami Dolphins overcame plenty of adversity to put themselves in position to challenge for a playoff spot down the stretch last season, only to lose back-to-back games against their AFC East rivals in the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets to finish 8-8 and miss the postseason.

2014 Miami Dolphins Team Preview/Predictions

  • 2013 Record: 8-8
  • ATS Record: 9-7

2014 Dolphins Futures

  • Super Bowl Odds: +4000
  • Conference Odds: +1800
  • AFC East Odds: +450
  • 2014 NFL Regular Season Wins: Over 7.5

The Dolphins fired general manager Jeff Ireland but new GM Dennis Hickey brought back head coach Joe Philbin despite all of the turmoil surrounding the team. Instead, he chose to fire offensive coordinator Mike Sherman and offensive line coach Jim Turner.

Miami has been to the playoffs only once over the past 12 years and will face an uphill climb just to avoid falling out of contention early on.

The bullying scandal that rocked the team last year isn’t far in the rearview mirror.

The Dolphins addressed their personnel by waiving goodbye to guards Richie Incognito and John Jerry, as well as tackles Jonathan Martin and Bryant McKinnie, then bringing in free agent tackle Branden Albert from Kansas City and free agent guard Shelley Smith from St. Louis to fill out the left side next to Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey.

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Rookie first-round pick Ja’Wuan James will start at right tackle, so both the talent and cohesion on the line should be better.

That’s important for third-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who was sacked 58 times in his second season. Tannehill will work with a new coordinator in Bill Lazor, who worked with Nick Foles in Philadelphia a year ago.

Miami added wide receiver Jarvis Landry in the second round of the draft, and he will team up with Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and tight end Charles Clay to stretch the field in the passing game.

The Dolphins also brought in running back Knowshon Moreno to compete with Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas for touches.
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Moreno is a solid pass-blocker and receiver out of the backfield, but he needs to stay healthy after coming over from Denver.

Miami failed to significantly upgrade a defense that ranked 16th against the pass last year and 24th against the run.

Cameron Wake remains a force at defensive end, but the Dolphins lost longtime tackle Paul Soliai and didn’t address their depth at the position. Dannell Ellerbe, Phillip Wheeler, and Koa Misi are back as the starters at linebacker after an inconsistent year.

Miami did acquire feisty cornerback Cortland Finnegan, but his best days are behind him and he will have to compete with Jamar Taylor and Will Davis for the starting cornerback job opposite Brent Grimes.

Safety is another area of weakness with Louis Delmas and Reshad Jones penciled in as the starters.

The Dolphins made some quality additions on offense but the defense remains a major question mark along with the team culture after last year’s mess.

Philbin is on a short leash and it won’t help that Miami opens the year with games against New England, Buffalo, Kansas City, and then against Oakland overseas in London. A rough start could mean more change for the Dolphins at their bye in week four.

Tannehill is a talented young quarterback and there are some quality players on this roster, but not enough to overcome a tough schedule and finish .500 in an improved AFC East division.

2014 Dolphins Predictions

  • Place they’ll finish in AFC East: 4th
  • Place they’ll finish in AFC Conference: 12th
  • Over/Under Wins Prediction: UNDER

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