The Miami Dolphins will begin the 2016 season on Sunday with renewed optimism of ending their playoff drought.
The last time Miami took the field for the playoffs was in 2008. Since then, the Dolphins have changed coaches, general managers, quarterbacks and everything in between. Nothing has resulted in a playoff berth however and that is something the team hopes to change.
New head coach Adam Gase will call the plays for Miami. This is a change in philosophy for Miami and quarterback Ryan Tannehill. In recent years, the offensive coordinators have sent the plays in to Tannehill. Gase has a lot of experiencing calling plays however and wants to control that aspect of the game himself.
"I feel like I've been doing it for the past three years. I really enjoy that aspect of putting the game-plan together with the offensive staff, so going into this season, that's how we're going to start," Gase told NFL.com when he got the gig.
This is another big year for Tannehill as he enters his fifth NFL season. Miami's QB is signed through 2020 after inking a long-term deal last year. The Dolphins need Tannehill to lead them into the NFL's second season. Inconsistency has plagued Tannehill's career thus far and Miami has had a revolving door for its roster around him.
Miami's offensive line is going to be a deciding factor in how well Tannehill performs this year. Without proper time, the QB has shown an inability to get anything going. Tannehill is not the most mobile of quarterbacks and needs ample time to get a play in motion. In the preseason, the line did a pretty decent job of giving Tannehill that time needed.
Another key component of Tannehill's potential success will come from the production Miami gets in its running game. The Dolphins will have Arian Foster at running back this year after inking the veteran in the off-season. Foster beat out Jay Ajayi for the starting gig at RB in preseason and has had tremendous success in the past.
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Defensively, the Dolphins have made some intriguing moves. Mario Williams joined the team and comes with past success and remaining future potential. Williams is a crafty veteran who has seen his career slide off some, but is still capable of turning it back around. It is possible the change of scenery could be just what Williams needs after a difficult season in Buffalo.
Entering his second season with Miami will be Ndamukong Suh. His first year with the team was mostly a disappointment. Suh came over with big expectations and a record contract. The Dolphins did not see that kind of production on the field however on a consistent basis. For Miami to succeed, Suh will need to regain his Pro Bowl form.
The season will begin with a couple of difficult road adventures for Miami. The first two weeks will see the Dolphins traveling to Seattle and New England. Even though Tom Brady is suspended for the Patriots contest, this could still be a difficult game for Miami. Both stadiums feature exceptional home records for their tenants over the years. Seattle in particular has been known for being a tough spot for visiting teams.
After the Dolphins complete that tough two-week stretch, they will head home for the first regular season game at new-look Hard Rock Stadium. The Cleveland Browns will be in town for a game that Miami will be expected to win. That will be the first of four home games over a five-week period. This could end up being a pivotal portion of the schedule when the postseason arrives.
During that home-stretch, the Dolphins will host the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills. None of these games figure to be easy for Miami and tough defense will be a consistent aspect. Tannehill and his offense will likely need to work for every point.
Miami's bye-week will come in the eighth week of the year. Having the bye in the middle of the season should be a welcome time for the Dolphins. It will allow the team to reflect on the first half the season and prepare for what should be an important second half. That second half will feature games against the Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens as well as a pair of contests against the New York Jets.
Just like the start of the season, Miami will have a difficult task ahead of it when the season ends. The final three weeks include trips to visit the Jets and Bills. These games will be played in late-December and there is a possibility of snow on the ground. Even without the precipitation, it is sure to be cold and it could also be important games for both sides.
As if that two-week schedule wasn't tough enough, the Dolphins finish off the season against the Patriots. The game will be in Miami, but it also will feature Brady this time around. In a game the Dolphins may end up needing, this could be a real test for the team. It is possible that Miami's playoff hopes will hang in the balance that day. It is also possible that New England will need the game itself.
Sunday's game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle will begin at 4:05 p.m.
