The NFL season is less than a month away and the Miami Dolphins are looking ahead to the 2020 season. In what has been a crazy off season, the team are now back training together with the exception of those such as Albert Wilson who have opted out due to COVID-19.
After a 5-11 record in 2019 and a 7-9 record in 2018, what will represent a good season and progress for Miami?
The Super Bowl is always the end goal for any team in the NFL but teams also have to be realistic.
Miami’s team, whilst improvements have been made in the off season, are still way off the likes of the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.
Getting to the play offs would signify massive progress for the franchise and something fans would not have expected when the team started 0-7 in 2019.
However, the 5-4 run down the stretch in 2019 as well as the off season additions of Tua Tagovailoa, Kyle Van Noy and Byron Jones to name a few have given the Miami Dolphins much more of a scope for excitement and optimism.
MIAMI HAVE STRENGTHENED KEY POSITIONS
The new additions of running backs Jordan Howard and Matt Breida will give Miami a run game they have missed since Jay Ajayi was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. With new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s preference for the run game, these two could be a great dual running threat for the Miami Dolphins.
So what would Miami staff, players and fans be happy with at the end of the 2020 season? Anything below 5 wins would represent disappointment and a 7-9 record would leave fans satisfied but are we allowed to hope for more?
A hard schedule in 2020 includes a tough three week period which features games against the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos.
A matchup against the reigning Super Bowl Champions Kansas City Chiefs as well as two games against an improving division rival in the Buffalo Bills makes this season look tough.
However, with the way the team ended the season in 2019, the team can be capable of pulling off a shock or two.
Miami will hope for players such as Preston Williams and Christian Wilkins to build on their rookie years and there is hope Devante Parker can build from his breakout year.
For me, in conclusion, 7-9 would be anti climatic but would not be an awful record considering what the team has been through.
I have confidence that the team can win 8 or 9 games this season. A 9-7 record would signify real progress for this roster, whether or not it is enough for the play offs.
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