Early Expectations for the Miami Dolphins' 2009 Season

Last season, the Dolphins went 11-5. This year expect the Dolphins to have to pull a miracle or two just to get to 10 wins.

In 2008 the Dolphins were 2-0 against the Bills, 1-1 against the Patriots, and 1-1 against the Jets in their own division. Outside their division the Fins beat the Chargers, Broncos, Seahawks, Raiders, Rams, 49ers, and Chiefs. They came out on the losing end of games against the Cardinals, Texans, and Ravens (twice including the playoffs).

While the Dolphins had the best turnaround in NFL history last year while going from one win to 11, there were still things to be concerned about.

The Dolphins went 1-3 against playoff teams, including their post-season game against the Ravens. All of their wins except for two came against teams that were .500 or under.

One of the wins against an above .500 team was when the Dolphins unleashed the Wildcat for the first time on the Patriots. The second of those wins was against the Jets in the season finale when Brett Favre looked like he belonged anywhere but on a football field.

The Dolphins were not a fluke. They were a good team. In 2008 they were able to beat all the bad to mediocre teams they faced, save for the Texans.

However, in 2009 there is no longer a schedule full of games that put the Dolphins against the league's worst. In fact it is quite the opposite.

Let's take a look.

Sep 13. @ Atlanta 1:00pm

For the Dolphins first game they will have to go on the road to play a tough Falcons team. The Falcons were a playoff team last year and nearly beat the eventual NFC champion Arizona Cardinals in the first round.

Sophomore quarterback Matt Ryan had an amazing rookie season and should be even more dangerous with another year under his belt and with Tony Gonzalez as his new option at tight end.

This team did not lose much in the offseason but they were able to add defensive tackle Peria Jerry in the first round of this year’s draft who should make an immediate impact on their defense. I chalk this game up as a tough loss.


Sep 21. Indianapolis 8:30pm

No there is not let down after traveling to Atlanta. The Dolphins must come back to Florida to face the ever dangerous Indianapolis Colts. However, there are two main intangibles that might give the Dolphins a win; this is a Monday night game at LandShark Stadium.

The Colts have yet to re-sign Peyton Manning’s favorite threat Marvin Harrison and lost back-up running back Dominic Rhodes to free agency. While a game against the Colts will never be easy, I see this one as a victory.


Sep 27. @ San Diego 4:15pm

Last season the Dolphins beat the Chargers 17-10 at home. The Chargers would eventually sneak into the playoffs, but the Chargers who lost to the Dolphins on October 5, 2008 got much better as the season went on. Phillip Rivers became one of the leagues premier quarterbacks.

Darren Sproles and LaDainian Tomlinson have the ability to run wild against any defense. Speaking of defense the Chargers will get Shawne Merriman back off the injured reserve and picked up defense end Larry English in the draft. This is not a game I expect the Dolphins to win in San Diego.


Oct 4. Buffalo 4:05pm, Nov 29. @Buffalo 1:00pm

If there is a game the Dolphins should win, it is this one. The additions of Terrell Owens and Dominic Rhodes should have little impact on a team that still has no quarterback. The Miami Dolphins were one game short of missing Marshawn Lynch’s three game suspension, but he still should be a little off his game for their first meeting.

The Bills are highly improved, as they also added Seth McKinney through free agency and drafted Aaron Maybin. However, I still see the Dolphins winning their first meeting easily and winning their second meeting in a close affair.


Oct 12. NYJ 8:30pm,  @ NYJ Nov 1 1:00pm

It has always been a hard feat for the Dolphins to sweep the Jets, but I think this will be one of those years. The Jets have a choice between two inexperience quarterbacks; either of whom will be facing an incredible Dolphins defense. I

n the draft the Jets addressed few problems as overall they had few picks. Unless Mark Sanchez turns out to be a Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco the Dolphins should win on Monday night at home and on the road November 1.


Oct 25. New Orleans 4:15pm

The Saints had an uneventful offseason after finishing 8-8 last season. The Saints are always dangerous with Drew Brees at the helm, but the Saints are a relatively mediocre team overall. I do not expect them to beat the Dolphins at home this year. The Dolphins will be coming off a bye week and should be prepared to beat the Saints.


Nov. 8 @ New England 1:00pm,   Dec 6. New England 8:20pm

Tom Brady is back this year. That makes the Patriots scary again. Even with Brady missing and the Wildcat formation, the Dolphins only won once against the Patriots last year.

The Patriots went out and got Joey Galloway as another threat for Brady and strengthened their defense through the draft and free agency. I would love to see the Dolphins beat the Patriots twice, but unfortunately I think it will be the Patriots beating the Fins twice.


Nov 15 Tampa Bay 1:00pm

Last year a late season collapse prevented the Bucs from making the playoffs. As a result, coach Jon Gruden was fired in January. New coach Raheem Morris will try to find a starting quarterback amongst Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown, Brian Griese and first round draft choice Josh Freeman.

Whoever wins the battle will still have Antonio Bryant and Michael Clayton to throw to, as well as new addition Kellen Winslow. The Dolphins should win this game against a rookie coach and at home. Plus, none of the Bucs choices at quarterback look overly appealing.


Nov 19. @ Carolina 8:20pm

On short rest the Dolphins will head to play the Panthers on a Thursday night. Luckily, Carolina will be dealing with same situation. The Panthers were a dominant team last year and Deangelo Williams emerged as a premier running back.

The Panthers remain relatively unchanged from last season and I think this is game is a toss-up. Based off the fact the game is in Carolina, I predict a win for Carolina.


Dec 13. @ Jacksonville 1:00pm

Road games are always tough, but this is one the Dolphins should win. Jacksonville self-destructed both internally and on the field last season. David Garrard did not turn out to be the quarterback the Jags were hoping for and Jack Del Rio lost control of his team. I see this being a road victory for the Dolphins.


Dec 20. @ Tennessee 1:00pm

Tennessee was one of the best teams in the league last year, and there is no reason to believe they will not be again. The Titans did lose Albert Haynesworth, but other than their teams remains relatively intact from last season. Expect this to be a road loss for the Fins.


Dec 27. Houston 1:00pm

The Dolphins notoriously struggle against one of the NFL’s consistently worst teams: the Houston Texas. Last year it was a last second scramble as the clock ticked off that cost the Dolphins the game. This year the Texans have to come to Florida, and the Fins will be looking for revenge.

The Texans have a nice young team highlighted by Matt Schaub, Steve Slaton, and Andre Johnson on offense. With that being said, I expected the Fins to blowout the Texans this year.


Jan 3. Pittsburgh 1:00pm

Did you watch the Super Bowl last year? Well this year the Steelers come to Miami to face the Dolphins. The last few times the Fins have faced the Steelers it has been a close game. The Steelers let players like Nate Washington and Larry Foote depart after the season, but made sure to lock up Hines Ward and James Harrison.

One thing to consider about the last game is that its possible that Pittsburgh will have the playoffs clinched and sit their starters. Since I can not assume that, I mark this one as a Steelers win.

Well with my predictions, that would give the Dolphins a 9-7 season. Hopefully they can surprise me and pull out an extra victory for a playoff birth.

A pro about the Dolphins schedule is that they do not have to travel to any cold regions during the late parts of the season, except Buffalo in late November. A major con about this schedule is how strong it is. Many of the teams the Dolphins face this year were playoff teams or were better on paper than they actually performed.

Last year the Dolphins were handed an easy schedule and they made the most of it. The Dolphins were aware of this though, and did not assume they could put the same team on the field and win 11 games this year.  

Key arrivals include free agents Gibril Wilson and Jason Taylor. Wilson will look to help a weak secondary that should also get help from first round draft pick Vontae Davis and Yeremiah Bell who signed a long-term deal.

Taylor will join Joey Porter, Matt Roth, and Channing Crowder, who signed a multi-year extension, in what could become one of the premier linebacker corps in the league.  The Dolphins also looked to address a depth problem at wide receiver by drafting Brian Hartline out of Ohio State and Patrick Turner out of USC.

Key departures include Vonnie Holiday, Andre Goodman, and Renaldo Hill who all played on the defensive side of the ball.  The Dolphins will look to Jason Allen and Davis to fill the void left by Goodman while Wilson will replace Hill.

For the Dolphins to excel again this year Chad Pennington needs to have another career year. For that to happen some wide receivers need to emerge on this team, and quickly. If Pennington has no quality receivers to go to this team can go no where. Something that would be nice would be increased production from Ronnie Brown.

In 2007 he looked like the best back in the league before his injury, but last year he was not nearly as impressive.  If he runs better it will help Pennington’s game even more.

On the defensive side of the ball the Dolphins need newcomers Wilson and Davis to shore up a weak secondary.  The Dolphins should have relatively little problems stopping the run, but a poor pass defense could be their downfall.

Last year the defense was hurt by a poor special teams unit that often gave opposing offenses good field advantage. This also needs to improve for the Dolphins to have a solid year.

The Dolphins have improved this off-season. I would even go as far as to say greatly improved. The real problem is their new schedule. If they had the same schedule as last year I would have them penciled in for 13 wins this year.

Hopefully I am wrong and the Dolphins can make it to the playoffs with this solid team. Jason Taylor is sure to be a lightning bolt and veteran leader for the Dolphins, something to what Alonzo Mourning was for the Heat in recent years. Surprise the NFL again Fins.