
Mike Pouncey leads a Dolphins offensive line with questions heading into the opener
It’s finally time to reveal my prediction for Sunday’s game between the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns. I’ve included picks from experts in the media as well, and I encourage each of you post your prediction for the game in the comments section.
Expert predictions
ESPN: 10 of 13 picked Browns
NFL Playbook: 2 of 3 picked Browns
CBS Sports: 8 of 8 picked Browns
Fox Sports: 3 of 4 picked Browns
Bleacher Report: 7 of 12 picked Dolphins
My prediction
Leaving Cleveland and what promises to be a raucous crowd with a win is never an easy task. That will be especially true for the Dolphins on Sunday, with so many new pieces and a cloud of uncertainty hovering over what has been labeled a playoffs or bust campaign.
And, as you can see, the majority of national pundits have the Browns winning this game. The same Browns who finished the 2012 season with a mere five wins. The same Browns who were dominated by the Indianapolis Colts in preseason game No. 3 for both teams — a contest which was said to be a dress rehearsal of sorts.
Don’t get me wrong, I think those national pundits could be right. Their skepticism of Miami is warranted given how most big-spenders in free agency begin to fall flat on their faces this time of year. And quarterback Ryan Tannehill — the basket in which all of the Dolphins’ eggs lie — is still unproven.
But for the most part, I believe the Dolphins are a more talented team than the Browns. More talented on offense, where Miami’s second-year quarterback was more impressive than Cleveland’s second-year quarterback a year ago. More talented on defense, where the Browns are being propelled by a new system but the Dolphins have superior players.
And the loss of wide receiver Josh Gordon to suspension hurts the Browns for a couple of reasons. The Dolphins don’t have a proven big-play weapon to worry about in Cleveland’s passing game, allowing them to bring pressure without fear and to stack the box in order to stop running back Trent Richardson.
I envision the Browns’ offense being humbled on Sunday, struggling to move the ball throughout. And that should lessen the pressure on Tannehill and Miami’s offensive attack, which likely won’t put up huge numbers, either.
It will be tough sledding for running backs Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas, but in the end, I see a couple of big plays in the second half from Tannehill and the Dolphins’ passing game being the difference.
THE PICK: Miami 20, Cleveland 13
Alright, let’s hear your predictions. Post your final score in the comments.
Dolphins 31 Browns 13 Cant wait to see Tannehill dominate and shut all these so called “experts’ Up!!!
Dolphins 24 Browns 10
I had Browns winning but youve convince me. Dolphins 13 Browns 12. Defensesive show!
BROWNS 41 LOLPHINS 0…hahahah. Tannehill gonna be on his back ALL GAME!
We sleep on the Dolhpins! Dolphins 35 Browns 10, Tannehill establishes that break out sophomore year that we have all been talking about!!! JUSTICE!