2016 Record - 10-6-0
Head Coach - Adam Gase
Offensive Rank - 24th (333 yards per game, 22.7 points per game)
Defensive Rank - 29th (383 yards allowed per game, 23.8 points allowed per game)
With quarterback Ryan Tannehill out for the season with a knee injury, the Dolphins signed retired QB Jay Cutler (who only played five games with the Bears a year ago due to injuries) to fill the bill for this season. Ten-year veteran Matt Moore is the backup quarterback.
Jay Ajayi (1,272 yards and eight touchdowns) will be the top running back with Damien Williams and Kenyan Drake filling in. The wide receivers are Jarvis Landry (94 receptions for 1,136 yards and four TD), DeVante Parker (56, 744, four TD) and Kenny Stills (42, 726, nine TD). The tight ends will be Julius Thomas (30, 281, four TD with Jacksonville) and Anthony Fasano.
Ndamukong Suh (five QB sacks) and Cameron Wake (11 1/2 QB sacks) lead the defensive front along with Andre Branch (5 1/2 sacks). Kiki Alonso (two interceptions), Lawrence Timmons, Byron Maxwell (two INT), Reshad Jones and rookie linebackers Charles Harris (Missouri) and Raekwon McMillan (Ohio State) should have an impact as well. Defensive back Tony Lippett led Miami with four picks last season.
OUTLOOK FOR 2017 - All bets are off as far as what to expect from quarterback this season after Tannehill went down in training camp with the knee injury. Jay Cutler retired following a disastrous season in which he played just five games with the Chicago Bears last year.
Head Coach Adam Gase is familiar with Cutler while he was Offensive Coordinator in Chicago two years ago, so he feels Cutler is the answer to the Dolphins quarterback problems.
That will be the key as to whether or not Miami has a successful season.
The running game is solid and the receiving corps has some depth, so Cutler will have weapons with him on offense.
The defense has the potential to be pretty solid, but did struggle against the run in 2016, allowing 141 yards per game. The Dolphins did have 16 interceptions last season while giving up 242 yards passing per game.
The problem is they are chasing the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the AFC East and while the team feels optimistic heading to the new season, the odds are Miami will only make the playoffs again as a wild card team.
It all depends on Cutler's play and the defense shoring up the deficiencies if that is to happen. The outlook has the Dolphins finishing 8-8 this year as Tannehill sits it out this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Two - at LA Chargers
Week Three - at NY Jets
Week Four - vs. New Orleans (London, England)
Week Five - vs. Tennessee
Week Six - at Atlanta
Week Seven - vs. NY Jets
Week Eight - at Baltimore
Week Nine - vs. Oakland
Week Ten - at Carolina
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at New England
Week Thirteen - vs. Denver
Week Fourteen - vs. New England
Week Fifteen - at Buffalo
Week Sixteen - at Kansas City
Week Seventeen - vs. Buffalo
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