(Sports Network) - Signs of progress have been located for the 2008 Miami Dolphins, but the team's long-suffering fan base has seen that movie before. The Fins showed signs of progress under Nick Saban and Dave Wannstedt, too, and it never translated into the team actually becoming an AFC contender during the current decade. Heck, there were times during the first month of the lost 2007 season when it looked like Cam Cameron had the organization on the right track. So you'll have to pardon Miami fans if their enthusiasm in the wake of the team's shocking 38-13 road beat-down of the New England Patriots on Sunday is somewhat restrained. Check back in early November if you want a true assessment of where the stock of the Tony Sparano/Bill Parcells regime really resides. After their Week 4 bye, the Dolphins will embark upon a rough five-game stretch in which the world will determine whether the Patriots win was a fluke, a prediction of the team's ascent, or something in between. During those five weeks, Miami will host the Chargers (10/5), Ravens (10/19), and Bills (10/26) and will travel to meet the Texans (10/12) and Broncos (11/2). There's a good chance the Fins will be underdogs in all of those games, though more convincing performances like the one put up on Sunday are sure to change that. For more of the story, here is the Link Seattle Post-Intelligencer: NFL/Football
The Fins showed signs of progress under Nick Saban and Dave Wannstedt, too, and it never translated into the team actually becoming an AFC contender during the current decade. We were in the playoffs in 2000 and 2001 and came close a few other times. Doesn't that make us an AFC contender?
The Chargers defense looks very suspect to this point. Merriman out really hurts them. However, they have the ability to outscore anyone... even with LT banged up. If we can control the clock and make some stops on D we have a chance to make it close.
i'm predicting something in between. I think we fall to the Chargers, Beat the Ravens, fall to the Bills, and beat the Texans, lose to the Broncos. I say at that point we're 3-5.
Sorry, but I REALLY dont like the matchups in that game. Of course if we do pull it off, I think it is really more of an upset than the Pats game was. The intriguing game for me is the Donkos. I say THAT will be a better barometer of where we are...and I am predicting that is a W for us
The only matchup that scares me is Gates vs. Anyone we have to cover him. Im not predicting a win either by any means. But we are at home coming off a bye, so that helps.
NJ, What this game means is that you and your jersey friends should get your tails down here and represent...This is the biggest game in a decade for our franchise...come on sister, lets all get to the stadium and raise some hell...
Thats what I was thinking. We should be able to beat the Ravens, and the texans. Id LOVE to see us beat the bills, but theyre really on top of their game right now. Bronco's... I dont think we have a good chance there, same with the chargers.
So your paying for my plane tickets, game tickets, room and are you going to coach my two HS baseball games?
Doc having never beaten those pesky Texas I won't feel good until we do. Sure am hoping its this year cause we need a break!!
While im extremely high off of this win going into the bye week, i also am trying to be a bit realistic here. I know our chances of beating the chargers are not extremely high but they are higher than what they were a week ago. Even with a 1-3 start i can see us turning it around and finishing 7-9 or 8-8 which is pretty impressive considering all we've been through.
