NFL power rankings: Who is biggest threat to Patriots?
By Brad Weiss
Miami Dolphins
, AFC East
The Miami Dolphins faithful got their first glimpse of Jay Cutler this past week, and the returns were not too bad. Although the team was beaten pretty soundly by the Baltimore Ravens, Cutler showed that he still has a grasp of Adam Gase’s offense. He is going to need to be better than expected if the Dolphins want to make a return trip to the playoffs in 2017.
In Jay Ajayi, the Dolphins have one of the better young running backs in football, and he proved he can tote the rock last season. He had been through concussion protocol already this preseason, but he is going to be 100 percent by the time the Dolphins kick off their season. With a questionable Cutler under center, Ajayi is going to have to be the team’s workhorse once again this season.
Miami’s defense is solid, especially up front, which is what wins ballgames. They are lucky enough to play in the AFC East, and while the New England Patriots are the best team in football, the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets are very beatable teams. Gase proved to be ready to be an NFL head coach last season, and should take another step towards being one of the best in the game in his second year.
By the time the season ends, Miami could very well be back in the playoffs, but there are too many question marks to put them there now. Cutler is going to be interesting to watch, as many believed he would be broadcasting games, and not trying to win them in 2017. If Ajayi has another solid year, they will be tough, as they will be able to ground it out, and use their defense to win games late.