Hey, remember when the AFC used to be powerful? Yea, it has been a while, hasn’t it?
This season, I can pretty much all but guarantee you that the champion this season will come from the NFC. I can pretty much guarantee you that the NFC will own most of the better records. And I can guarantee you that at least two mediocre teams will make the playoffs. Would not surprise me in the slightest bit if the Buffalo Bills or even the Cleveland Browns make the playoffs.
All of the usual powerhouse AFC franchises are weaker this season whether it be because of injuries (Denver Broncos), because of losing an ishload of players (Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots), or because their good fortunes had simply run out (New York Jets—who at one point went back-to-back seasons nearly making the Super Bowl and sadly the lovable Indianapolis Colts who could not repeat last season’s magical run).
None of the six AFC playoff teams from last year actually improved. The Cincinnati Bengals kept most of their lineup, the Broncos made good changes but are contradicted by injuries, and the Houston Texans get the bitter satisfaction of knowing they must depend on Matt Schaub to go far in the playoffs—not exactly something to look forward to. And like I previously said, the Baltimore Ravens had lost so many of their Super Bowl cast I have no idea how they can possibly top the previous incredible season, regardless of Flacco at the helm with one of the better coaches in the league known as John Harbaugh.
I could be wrong, maybe the Patriots under the evil genius Bill Belichick will thrive heavily once again; even though one must wonder how much longer Tom Brady can keep up his amazing career. Maybe Andrew Luck is for real and will catapult the Colts into even more success---even though their schedule consists of fighting the 49ers, Seahawks, and the Texans twice. Lots of maybes, but lots of uncertainty. Maybe Joe Flacco will allow the Ravens to rise once again—even though while typing this article they have given up 35 points to the Broncos and they haven’t even hit the fourth quarter. The defense lacks the Ray Lewis identity .
Which brings me to my main point: the potential sleeper surge of the Miami Dolphins.
Before you laugh, think about it----
----seriously, stop laughing. Enough. I get it.
We good now?
Anyways, they are in a ridiculously weak division this season with only one pure-true-blue team above mediocre. Yea, their schedule is rather ridiculous with the nasty stretch of the Colts, Falcons, Saints, AND Ravens before the merciful bye week. But besides that bloodfest of a stretch there are the Browns, Bucs, Bills (Twice), and Jets (Twice) to look forward to. And if they can split with the Patriots that’s 7 guaranteed wins right there. 7 winnable games on that schedule and I am not even throwing in the Chargers and Panthers; two franchises who has seen better days.
Ryan Tannehill is definitely not in the quality league of the awesome young quarterbacks of the NFC, but he has the advantage of not having to be in the NFC. How does it feel to be in a place that lacks the consistent presence of Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Colin Caepernick, Russell Wilson, RGIII, Tony Romo (Who has amazing numbers until he has to be clutch), and Jay Cutler? Feels pretty good doesn’t it. Instead, you get to deal with aging legends Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and the young-but-looking-rather-old Ben Rothlesburger.
Tannehill last season was mainly missing an identity and a good supporting staff. The GM made a few baffling and puzzling decisions and now we have a variety of veterans including the quietly-good Mike Wallace at the helm. The team is better built, more experienced, and now more accepting of their Miami quarterback (which was an ugly scenario the past several years in South Florida). The Wildcat (Which I admit I miss) is now a thing of the past, and we can look forward to the young yuppie quarterback taking advantage of the NFL’s recent attempted murder of anything defense-related and turning it into a quarterback’s league.
The Dolphins have the identity, they have the potential, they have the kind second-half schedule, and have the opportunity to make some noise in the AFC and sneak up and grab a Wild Card spot. While the division shall belong to the Patriots for at least another two years, the Dolphins can be a dangerous second-place threat that with a little tweaking can stand toe-to-toe with some of 2012’s playoff teams like the Colts, Bengals, and maybe even the Texans (well….maybe not so much). A 9-7 or a 10-6 record doesn't seem too far off for Miami if they can improve the offense and the offensive line.
This shouldn’t be Super Bowl or Bust for the Dolphins, but for the first time in a while things just might be looking up for the South Florida franchise.
Their new logo is hella ugly though…..
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