5 Reasons the Miami Dolphins' Season Isn't over Yet

It would be very easy to say the Miami Dolphins are tanking the season. They have nothing to play for. The 0-2 start doomed them. The head coach needs to be fired. The GM is an idiot. 

It is much harder to come up with reasons why the Dolphins are better than their record indicates and why it isn't time just yet to pull the plug on the season.

I believe there are five predominant reasons for optimism. As long as they win next week in Cleveland, the Dolphins could slowly begin to put the season on track again. 

Keep in mind this is a team that was 6-2 on the road last season, including wins at the Jets and Super Bowl champion Packers. 

No. 1: Chad Henne Has Been Good

Okay, so he hasn't earned an A+ just yet, but Chad Henne has not been the reason the Dolphins find themselves at 0-2.  He is already playing better than last year and has been on lock with his best receiver Brandon Marshall. 

His deep ball has shown nice touch and his only interception against Houston was a batted ball at the line of scrimmage.

His ability to escape the pocket has turned into several first downs, and will be a much needed boost with a mediocre offensive line. 

If Henne continues to play well, the wins will come. They just have to start coming next Sunday. 

No. 2: Daniel Thomas Had an Outstanding Debut

Just like nobody should be ready to crown Henne the quarterback of the future just yet, nobody should be declaring Daniel Thomas to be the steal of the draft.

But he had an outstanding first game with the team, totaling 107 yards on just 18 carries. 

He already tripled the carries Reggie Bush received and showed he is going to be tough to tackle whenever he gets the ball. 

Yes, he fumbled in a huge spot. But let's be real, Houston was better than Miami on Sunday and is better than the Dolphins in general.

Gashing through Houston's defense is nothing to write home about, but his room for growth is a very positive aspect of the season to look forward to. 

No. 3: The Schedule May Just Be in the Dolphins' Favor

Amazingly, road is where the heart is for the Dolphins. At least it was last season. After falling to 1-11 in their last 12 home games, the Dolphins head out to Cleveland and San Diego before the bye week. 

The Cleveland game is obviously winnable (I know the Browns beat the Fins last season) and San Diego is notorious for starting the season poorly. Without looking too far ahead, the Dolphins have the Broncos and Chiefs also on the horizon.

The season is made or lost this coming Sunday, but road wins will need to be a part of the equation to a successful season. That's something the Dolphins have done very well recently.

No. 4: Brandon Marshall and Chad Henne on the Same Page

There is one beautiful thing that happened in the first two games of the season. Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall have discovered a connection that could be lethal for a long time to come. 

Start with Marshall's 139 yards on seven catches in Week 1. Then a touchdown and 79 more yards in Week 2.

The stats are very good, but even more important is how many throws have been timing pattens, audibles at the line of scrimmage and long balls where Henne is letting the big man out jump defenders for the ball. 

I did say Marshall would have 90+ catches and 7 touchdowns initially. Getting in that vicinity will lead to wins for sure. 

No. 5: The Defense Will Be Better

There is a growing sentiment that the Dolphins' defense is greatly overrated. I am of the belief that they are not bad at all. They just had to face two of the best offenses in all of football in the first two weeks.

Also take into consideration that Houston really only scored 16 points on Sunday since one of the touchdowns was gift wrapped when they picked off Henne at the 5 yard line. 

Jason Taylor was arguably their best defensive player against the Texans which could be considered a bad thing since he is not even a starter.

I say it's a great thing because if he can have flashes of what he showed yesterday it will benefit the whole unit tremendously.