Sun Sentinel staff predictions for 2021 Miami Dolphins ― and the Super Bowl – South Florida Sun Sentinel

Here’s how well the South Florida Sun Sentinel thinks the Miami Dolphins will do in the 2021 season, and who our staff is picking to play in the Super Bowl:

Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist

Dolphins prediction: 10-7

A playmaking defense and improved offense tell of a team moving forward. But leading the league in defensive turnovers and third-down percentage last year are numbers that will be difficult to repeat and factor into predicting the same number of wins.

Super Bowl prediction: Bills vs. Packers

Both these teams were on the verge last season and seem motivated for more this season. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen versus Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers brings the age-old question of who wins that battle. I’ll go with the old guy.

Omar Kelly, Dolphins Columnist

Dolphins prediction: 10-7

While the Dolphins have talent, the troublesome areas — offensive line, injury-prone receivers, struggles stopping the run — will weigh the team down, preventing Miami from reaching its full potential. But expect QB Tua Tagovailoa to take a step forward as a starter, beginning his journey to NFL prominence.

Super Bowl prediction: Chiefs vs. Buccaneers

Just like Michael Jordan had beat the Detroit Pistons to begin his dynasty period, Patrick Mahomes must strengthen his legacy by beating a Tom Brady-led Buccaneers team. That’s why this season’s Super Bowl will be a rematch between the past two title winners.

David Furones, Dolphins Writer

Dolphins prediction: 11-6

Tua Tagovailoa will be better in Year 2 and he has more playmakers to throw to, but the offensive line still concerns me. The defense maybe won’t replicate last season’s league-leading number of takeaways, but it should at least remain near the top in that area. With a lack of cold-weather road games on the back end of the schedule, the extra game in 2021 amounts to one more win from 2020′s 10-6 record, and this time, it’s good enough to get into the AFC playoffs as a wild-card team behind the division-champ Bills.

Super Bowl prediction: Chiefs vs. Buccaneers

I don’t see a reason why Kansas City doesn’t march its way to a third consecutive AFC title, although the Bills could give the Chiefs a run for their money. Tampa Bay’s continuity, after Tom Brady was already able to lead them to a Super Bowl in his first year there last season, makes the Bucs the favorite out of the NFC. In the first Super Bowl rematch from one year to the next since Dallas and Buffalo in the early 1990s, the Chiefs, more equipped to protect Patrick Mahomes from the Tampa pass rush this year, get their revenge.

Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor

Dolphins prediction: 11-6

The Dolphins should continue to show improvement this season, but there are enough question marks — like the offensive line — to keep the win total from really taking off. Second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is getting better steadily, but am I the only one worried about the lack of Fitzmagic? The defense was impressive most of last season, but will they be able to build on that and improve, or will there be some backsliding? The fact that the team has a high vaccination rate bodes well, since there should be fewer COVID absences than there are among many other teams.

Super Bowl prediction: Packers vs. Chiefs

If quarterback Patrick Mahomes can stay healthy, it’s hard to bet against him getting the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl. In the NFC, the Packers should get it together one of these years to go all the way to the Super Bowl, right? Let’s say it’s this season. Aaron Rogers is getting antsy.

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor

Dolphins prediction: 10-7

Tua Tagovailoa looked sharp in the preseason and appears poised for a breakout season. He will be helped by the emergence of running backs Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed, who also shared a backfield at the University of Washington. If the Dolphins’ talented receiving corps can stay healthy and the standout defense picks up where it left off, the Dolphins should return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Super Bowl prediction: Chiefs vs. Bucs

The Chiefs, with the NFL’s best quarterback and the league’s best offensive-minded head coach, are the clear favorites to win the 2022 Super Bowl for good reason. Patrick Mahomes and his offensive playmakers won’t disappoint. They are headed on a collision course for a rematch against the defending champion Bucs, led by Tom Brady.

Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor

Tua Tagovailoa is the focal point. If he gets enough time to pat the ball in the pocket — and his receivers don’t spend the season on stationary bikes — there could be double-digit wins and playoff contention again. But, for an undersized QB without elite running ability, some things need to fall into place, meaning a shaky preseason by his offensive line and an absent preseason by his top-of-the-depth-chart wideouts can’t persist when the games matter.

Super Bowl prediction: Rams vs. Bills

The Bills, with NFL MVP-caliber quarterback Josh Allen and loads of top-notch surrounding cast, have become a team for whom coming up short of the AFC Championship will mean a disappointing season. With the addition of QB Matthew Stafford and their having arguably the best defense in the NFC, the Rams are poised to have the NFL see — after 54 years of a team not playing the Super Bowl in its home stadium — a title-game host team for a second year in a row.

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