Miami Dolphins: Schedule, record prediction, X-factors for 2021 NFL season

Miami Dolphins 2021 Schedule and Record Prediction

Week 1 at New England – WIN 

This is a fascinating opener for the season. There are multiple subplots. The master Belichick versus one of his many head coach apprentices in Flores. Tua Tagovailoa facing off against his Alabama replacement Mac Jones. The deciding factor in this one will be Miami’s defense and the pressure they will put on Jones. Welcome to the league, young man.

Week 2 vs. Buffalo – LOSS

This game will likely be closer than many people think. The Bills have the better overall team, there is no doubting that. But there is plenty to be optimistic for Dolphins’ fans in the match-up. The cornerback group has every chance of slowing down the Bills’ short passing game, but it is difficult to see them stopping it fully. Josh Allen should just about will his team through this cagey early-season divisional match.

Week 3 at Las Vegas – WIN

Here it is, the first chance of the new season for Tagovailoa to really air it out and show everyone he means business. The Raiders leak points at will, and the Dolphins will really be able to see if their young quarterback has connected with his receiving corps. This game will be flashy under the casino lights. Watch out for Jaylen Waddle in a big breakout game, speeding past the Raiders’ secondary.

Week 4 vs. Indianapolis – WIN 

It is hard to know where Indianapolis will be as a team coming into 2021. An offseason headlined by notable injuries leaves the team feeling vulnerable, especially on their dominant offensive line after losing Quenton Nelson. The Dolphins have the talent on defense to stifle Carson Wentz as he is getting to know his new team, and with important injuries likely to still be out for the Colts, Miami can take advantage.

Week 5 at Tampa Bay – LOSS 

Not many teams in the NFL are within touching distance of the reigning champions. The Dolphins are no different. Their pass rush will struggle to affect Tom Brady and he will likely have enough time and space to execute. This Florida derby is likely to go swashbuckling in the direction of the Buccaneers.

Week 6 at Jacksonville – WIN 

Young quarterbacks can struggle with adjusting to the pace of the NFL. The Dolphins know this all too well. Expect the defensive pressure to be immense on rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. There will be no time in the pocket, and he is going to have nightmares after this game.

Week 7 vs. Atlanta – WIN 

The Falcons are top-heavy and vulnerable to being punched in the mouth. Whilst they have a generational tight end from the 2021 Draft in Kyle Pitts, he is still raw and unproven in the NFL. The team is asking Calvin Ridley to step up and be the star receiver for this team. Miami’s corners should ice the threat in this game.

Week 8 at Buffalo – LOSS 

Unless the Bills are facing an injury crisis, there won’t be a different result here than their first matchup earlier in the year. The Dolphins are not quite a match for their divisional rivals yet based on last season.

Week 9 vs. Houston – WIN 

Poor Texans fans. This is a long season for the team. With problems in every direction and no let-up in sight, they face barren football and difficult circumstances. The Dolphins should cause havoc here. Expect a low score from the Texans and a comfortable win for Miami.

Week 10 vs. Baltimore – LOSS

The Dolphins did not have a good pass rush last year. They also did not defend the run game overly well on first and second downs. These combined factors do not work in their favor when facing the Ravens. Lamar Jackson has been steadily adding new facets to his game year on year, and he will be a menace for the Dolphins in this game. Close, but the Ravens will get the W.

Week 11 at N.Y. Jets – WIN 

The New York Jets are being underrated by a lot of people coming into this season. Their roster has a fair amount of talent, and if it wasn’t for multiple injuries putting key defensive pieces out for the season, they would be a real challenge for their AFC East opponents. As it is, however, the Jets shouldn’t be able to overcome the Dolphins’ staunch defense.

Week 12 vs. Carolina – LOSS 

Whilst their defense overall was their biggest strength in 2020, the Dolphins were middle of the pack when it came to run defense. This may pose a problem against the Panthers and returning elite All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. As long as he is still healthy at this point in the season, he will spread play wide open for his teammates and engineer a win on his own.

Week 13 vs. N.Y. Giants – WIN 

The New York Giants are in a precarious position this year. Competing in a wide-open NFC East, they are expected to perform well. However, their interior lines aren’t as good as the teams they face this season. This is the case in this game, where the young and talented offensive line of the Dolphins will give Tua the time and space to pick apart the Giants backfield.

Week 14 – BYE WEEK 

Week 15 vs. N.Y. Jets – WIN 

This game won’t be different from the first meeting between the teams. Miami will be fighting for a division win or a playoff spot at this point in the season. Expect the Jets to be in tanking mode, but put up a spirited fight for division pride.

Week 16 at New Orleans – LOSS

This is the most difficult game of the Dolphins’ schedule to predict. The Saints post-Brees may be in elite form at this stage of the season, with Jameis Winston in sparkling form after competing in a weak AFC South all season. They could just as easily be facing injury concerns and a lack of true talent at the QB position. The deciding factor is the top-end talent of both teams. Kamara and Thomas are better than what the Dolphins have. Good players win close football games for franchises.

Week 17 at Tennessee – LOSS 

The Titans are under the radar this year in media circles, but this will be a very difficult game for the Dolphins to win. They don’t have the pieces to stop Derrick Henry, and they will need to force takeaways on defense to preserve game clock and offensive chance for the Titans. Tennessee might be easing off the gas at this point in their season, having likely won their division at this point. This prediction will take the view that they are still pushing, however. The Dolphins’ defense will need to be at the top of their game to prevent a loss.

Week 18 vs. New England – WIN 

Depending on results through the season, this might just be Week 18’s highlight game in the AFC. Both teams will be very close record-wise, and this could be a winner-takes-all for a playoff position. With the motivation of extending their season, the Dolphins will edge out this game to clinch a playoff position.

Miami Dolphins final record prediction: 10-7