NFL Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins’ Way-Too-Early 2015 AFC East Outlook

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By @CouchGuyFB

Miami Dolphins, AFC East

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With Rex Ryan heading upstate to coach the Buffalo Bills and Todd Bowles taking over as the head man with the New York Jets, the Miami Dolphins are facing a very different, but very similar AFC East. Bowles and Ryan are both defensive gurus and share a great deal conceptually, so it stands to reason that there will be a familiar feel to the division. Couple that with the fact that Bowles was the Dolphins’ secondary and assistant head coach for years before being named the interim head coach in 2011 after Tony Sparano’s dismissal, and it turns into a family reunion of sorts.

Miami split the season series with each of its divisional rivals in 2014, and the 2015 season will certainly be no picnic either. The Jets have an inordinate amount of cap space, and some fresh blood in the organization might be just what the doctor ordered for the beleaguered franchise. At the same time, Buffalo is looking past the Kyle Orton era, and with a talented defense and a healthy backfield, the Bills could be poised to make a serious run at the playoffs. Finally, there is the eternal constant that is the New England Patriots, making Miami’s outlook cloudy at best.

On the other hand, perhaps familiarity will breed success for the Dolphins in 2015. This will be Joe Philbin and Ryan Tannehill’s fourth year together, and all indications point towards a better second year for the offense under Bill Lazor. If the offensive line can remain healthy and the defense can avoid another late-season collapse, the Dolphins have every opportunity to take advantage of the coaching changes that affected the Bills and Jets. A positive record in the division would bode well for Miami’s playoff hopes, and with some help through the draft, it is possible that the Dolphins could navigate the minefield that is the AFC playoff picture.

Time will tell which scenario plays out, but it doesn’t appear that the Dolphins’ season will be one of extremes. The perpetual middle of the road finish that has characterized the franchise over the last few years is the most likely scenario once one considers the separation between the elite teams and those looking to break into the playoffs. It also isn’t likely that Miami will completely implode and join the ranks of the bottom feeders, so once again, the Dolphins are looking at a tough road to one of the Wild Card spots. Still, this upcoming season may be Miami’s best chance in recent memory to take the leap and join the ranks of the contenders.

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