2009 NFL Predictions Miami Dolphins AFC East Betting Odds: Coming off one of the greatest single-season franchise turnarounds in NFL history, the Miami Dolphins will have their work cut out for them as they prepare for the 2009 season. With what is arguably the NFL’s toughest strength of schedule in store for this coming fall, the new season brings with it a potential reality check for Head Coach Tony Sparano and the Fins. Sustained success, however, would vindicate the 2008 squad’s historical run and provide football fans with yet another reason to salute Miami’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells. The 2009 NFL Predictions experts at online sportsbook SBG Global have the Miami Dolphins +3000 odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl.
MIAMI DOLPHINS – AFC EAST
2008 Season Record: 11-5, first in AFC East
Offense: 8
Defense: 7
Special Teams: 6
Coaching: 8
2009 NFL Predictions: 9-7
OVER 7 WINS: –120 odds
UNDER 7 WINS: –110 odds
Pros: Look for the Dolphins to pound the ball with a hardnosed running game facilitated by a strong and athletic offensive line. With Ronnie Brown two years removed from ACL surgery and offensive tackle Jake Long leading the trenches, Miami’s ground game will be its biggest weapon in 2009. With the return of Justin Smiley and second-year guard Donald Thomas, Brown should have no trouble finding holes at the line of scrimmage. On the defense, newly acquired safety Gibril Wilson, who the Dolphins snatched out of the free agent market from the Oakland Raiders, should provide an upgrade from Renaldo Hill.
Cons: A talented, but untested rookie class consisting of cornerbacks Vontae Davis (Illinois, Draft No. 25) and Sean Smith (Utah, Draft No. 61) will be thrown into the fire almost immediately and could be exposed early. Offensively, a lot is resting on the rehabilitated shoulder of Miami quarterback Chad Pennington, the NFL’s 2008 Comeback Player of the Year (second in 2008 MVP voting to Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning).
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Outlook: Parcells and company know how to build a team from the inside out and that will make itself apparent this year. Look for Brown’s success on the ground to open things up for Pennington in the air, fueling the fire for a potential two-headed offensive monster in Miami. Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., entering his third season out of Ohio State, could be the spark plug that the Dolphins have been waiting for. On the opposite side of the ball, young defensive ends Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling will be burdened with the task of stopping the run game in order for outside linebackers Joey Porter and Matt Roth to be effective patrolmen.
Draft Overview: The selection of Davis and Smith at cornerback addressed the Fins’ biggest need while providing overall value for the team. Should the injury-prone Pennington revert to old form, second-round selection pat White (West Virginia, Draft No. 44) will prove a legitimate threat at quarterback, especially in special packages like the wildcat. Look for wide receiver Patrick Turner (University of Southern California, Draft No. 87) to provide Pennington with an explosive red zone option.
Overall Outlook: This season will be a very telling one for Sparano and the Fins. A quick start will be crucial to team morale and late-season success in the AFC East, especially since no one knows what to expect from the enigmatic squad. A slow start could spell the end for Pennington’s honeymoon in Miami and make way for back-up quarterback Chad Henne’s introduction. While Miami had made legitimate strides within the past two years, look for the Dolphins to contend in most games, but realize often that good play won’t always show up in the standings.
Key to Success: Keeping opposing defenses guessing with underrated play-makers like White, could be more beneficial that some realize – see the unveiling of the Wildcat offense against the new England Patriots. It went to the tune of five touchdowns starting and ending with Ronnie Brown. In addition, both lines will be critical in determining the fate of Sparano’s squad, and while the offensive unit appears ready for the challenge, the defensive line will be hard pressed to keep up.
Intangibles: Sparano’s leadership will prove the biggest intangible for this year’s Miami Dolphins team. Two years removed from one of the most dismal seasons in NFL history, Sparano’s ability to make believers out of a once wounded crew will prove paramount. On the field, Pennington’s return to MVP-like form at quarterback and spirited play from Porter on the defense will make the head coach’s job easier.
SBG Global has posted their 2009 NFL Predictions odds to win the 2010 Super Bowl:Arizona CARDINALS: +2900
Atlanta FALCONS: +2000
Baltimore RAVENS: +2500
Buffalo BILLS: +8500
Carolina PANTHERS: +3950
Chicago BEARS: +2000
Cincinnati BENGALS: +8500
Cleveland BROWNS: +7500
Dallas COWBOYS: +1400
Denver BRONCOS: +6000
Detroit LIONS: +15000
Green Bay PACKERS: +2500
Houston TEXANS: +2000
Indianapolis COLTS: +1000
Jacksonville JAGUARS: +4500
Kansas City CHIEFS: +7500
Miami DOLPHINS: +3000
Minnesota VIKINGS: +800
New England PATRIOTS: +300
New Orleans SAINTS: +1700
New York GIANTS: +850
New York JETS: +3500
Oakland RAIDERS: +5500
Philadelphia EAGLES: +650
Pittsburgh STEELERS: +700
San Diego CHARGERS: +500
San Francisco 49ERS: +6500
Seattle SEAHAWKS: +3000
St. Louis RAMS: +8500
Tampa Bay BUCCANEERS: +10000
Tennessee TITANS: +2000
Washington REDSKINS: +4850
