Take a look at their roster. Very high level talent at most positions and a good, solid, game manager QB. whether Dalton is good enough to win a playoff game is yet to be seen but the rest of Cincy's team is excellent.
Arguable that they're better. I don't see it that way, and many experts agree that not all 5 of those are better, in fact, look at NFL.com, and other power rankings, generally they show that 3 of these are rated better than we are (Falcons, Ravens, Colts...Colts basically equal)...not 5. I'm not saying power rankings are holy writ, but putting us below all 5 of those is defeatist at the least. I tend to agree, since I have us going 2-3 or better, and at least 10-6. Truth is you could be right with 1-4, who knows, 0-5 and 5-0 are also possible. I lean toward success...I pull for them against all odds regardless, so I refuse to see 1-4. If they prove me wrong, won't be the first time, if they prove me right, won't be the first time.
I don't think this is that far fetched. Our Oline is a mess. Our biggest FA expenditures (WR) are totally contingent on having time to throw. I don't think we'll consistently protect the QB enough to win more games than we lose. Whether is five wins or seven wins, I don't know. And either way, its out of the playoffs again, so...
Hasselbeck wasn't pedestrian in my opinion. The others had historically good defenses. Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk 2
.... or the Miami-Seattle game?.... or the first New England game before the special teams flubbery? ... or the Niners game minus a muffed punt inside our own 10. We were good enough last year to beat or hang with playoff caliber teams, and I'd like to think we're an improved team this year.
This team was 2 missed field goals from 9-7 last year. Unless the oline completely tanks (which is completely possible) I cant see us any worse than 8-8. Also I'm selling on the Pats at 13-3.
Only way 5-11 happens is if THill collapses, as in Butt Fumble style collapse. D is to good, add in elite ST and POTENTIALLY a great run game, and think we do better than 1-4 to start the yr at least. IMO, the commentariat is overlooking what having Grimes and a healthy Marshall and Patterson and Will Davis will mean for us.
Not only are we an improved team but our immediate rivals have taken a step backwards, the Bills, Pats and Jets specifically. Last year we could hang with anyone because we ran the ball and played good D. This year we can still run the ball and play D, but we now have a credible pass attack, including one of the premier deep threats in the league and 3 solid veteran possession receivers. We also have better cover corners, more DL depth and an improved pass rush. No rookie QB, HC, or DC to break in this year. In fact no rookie starters anywhere and only 1 first time starter. 8-8 my ***. Way too much crying and opposing team-scrotum holding going on in here. I guess it's understandable, not many people take the time to study the teams we're playing this year. They just look at the schedule and go W-L-W-L yada yada yada based on whatever their opinion of that team happens to be. Like I used to do when I was around 11 or 12.
Yessur...I'm still not heavily sold on the running game, but I'm not dreading it either...all the rest of that I'm 100% onboard with, which is why I can't picture any less than 10-6.
LOL at this board. Pete Prisco said something positive about the Phins a couple months back and he's a genius. Now he's back to being a dummy.
He's entitled to his opinion, the funny part is someone is dumb enough to pay him for it. I see us 8-8 or 9-7, maybe if Martin and Tanny regress we go 7-9 again, but with this defense, I'm leaning toward 9-7. The Ravens won the SB with Trent Dilfer, because of that Defense. And I really think our Defense is possibly close to that D, maybe I'm being a Homer (who, me? ) but I really expect our D to win 2-3 games for us minimum, and keep the offense on the field enough for Martin and Tannehill to develop.
Well you would have to say, that 5-11 is dummy material. Hell our Kicker and Punter alone are worth 5 wins in points and field position. Throw in the Defense and the offense could finish last in the league and we would still win 7. "Sturgis kicks 6 field goals including the game winner from 59 yards as the Dolphins beat the Jets 18-17"
How bout we bump the threads from this time last year when we were the worst team in the league, no FAs wanted to come here, and Chris Hogan was a future star.
Tired of talkin Deej, but come September I will dish out the "I Told u So's" in an insanely obnoxious manner .
Such pessimism here... 1-4, and superior teams based off of what? Last years records... Every year there are teams that are inconsistent. The Browns can't be overlooked as we should beat them; The Colts have a 2nd year QB, and an inferior D; okay, the Falcons are the most complete team in that first 5; the Saints are beatable, especially with sound Secondary play; and the Champs had a major roster overhaul. I will say 3-2 at worst, and watch the Dolphins coming out of the BYE. And when did a pessimistic outlook become the "realistic" outlook? We have a good team here, and if they come together sooner rather than later, it could be special.
Did ya? A grand total of 7/14 with a TD, no turnovers, a 93.2 rating and under significant pressure? I'll admit he hasn't looked extremely sharp, but he hasn't sucked, either.
You realize that the board is a collection of different people right? Sent from my GT-P3110 using Tapatalk 2
Of course I did. And that has what relevance to my point that Cincy has a really good team and is loaded with talent? They are better than last year. Gio Bernard and Eifert should upgrade their offense even more. Cincy is absolutely a darkorse SB team and it is not crazy to pick them to get there. that's all I'm saying.
I agree with you, schmoo...I wouldn't be shocked with 7-9 or 8-8, but certainly much less that that would be disappointing. Prisco is a long time Fin-hater and that's fine...that's his opinion just like mine is 7-9 or 8-8.... What we have to keep in mind is that when/if we start to win more consistently (playoffs or not), then the media will change their opinions of us, not until....at this point, we are just another team that spent some money in fa but still have question marks...
I also think the jills are being a bit undersold. IF the question at QB is answered, that could be a dangerous team, especially offensively...
I have felt all along that the Dolphins will start the season 1-4, or possibly 0-5, if they lose to the Browns. I think they will lose both games to the Patriots and will go 2-2 or possbly 3-1 against the Jets and Bills. With games against the Bengals and Steelers appearing to be difficult games for them to win. I think another 7-9 or even worse record is likely if the team does start out 1-4 or 0-5.
I'm comparing a consensus opinion from one thread to a consensus opinion in another. But yes, I am aware.
I agree. I would not be the least bit surprised to see the Browns beat the Dolphins. The Browns have a very good defense and I think the OL of the Dolphins is going to have trouble protecting Tannehill. Weedon and Tannehill are about equal and I think the Browns RB's are superior to the Dolphins RB's. I also think the OL of the Browns is probably better at this time. If the game was in Miami, I would pick the Dolphins to win. In Cleveland though, I think the Browns will make the plays to win in a close game.
I think they'll be like we were last year- might not notch the greatest record but will beat a few good teams and keep up with most of the rest.
