Miami Dolphins (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) vs. Seattle Seahawks (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
Week 1 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday, September 11, 2016 at 4:05PM EST
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: CBS
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: MIA +10.5/SEA -10.5
Over/Under Total: 44
The Miami Dolphins come into Century Link Field to face the Seattle Seahawks, as both teams kick off their 2016 seasons on opening Sunday. The Dolphins are hoping for some positive developments this season under first-year head coach Adam Gase. Maybe he can help make QB Ryan Tannehill the quarterback the Dolphins need him to be to ascend above the ranks of mediocrity. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are looking to regain their spot atop the NFC after a 2015 season where they struggled and got bounced by the Panthers in the playoffs.
Still, at 10-6 last season, it wasn't a bad season for the Seahawks. They had a lot of issues with injuries to key players and a dysfunctional O-line. But they eventually got hot, as Russell Wilson developed an aerial flair in a big way in the second-half of the season. Though he was injured late in the year, Thomas Rawls showed that the offense could maybe withstand the loss of Marshawn Lynch. Will the offense continue its upward ascent this season?
With Miami, new head coach Adam Gase has shown an ability to bring the most out of quarterbacks and they're hoping his knack will rub off on Ryan Tannehill. The offense lost some bite with the departures of star back Lamar Miller and WR Rishard Matthews. Coming off a 6-10 season, there isn't a ton of optimism with the Dolphins this season, but maybe they can do something to change that. Offensively, it's been a while since we've seen a really good 'Fins unit. Tannehill did upgrade his form a bit last season with 4208 yards through the air and a 62% completion percentage. The front could do a better job of protecting Tannehill after absorbing 149 sacks in the last three seasons.
The Miami ground-game has talent, but will needs some pieces to fall into place to match Miller's rushing and pass-catching prowess. Arian Foster was acquired and represents a robust talent, but one who is now 30 and has missed 25 games in the past three seasons. Jay Ajayi will be in the mix, with rookie Kenyan Drake (questionable) a possibility. Aerially, Jarvis Landry caught 110 balls last season and will be the top target. They bring in Saints receiver Kenny Stills, while DeVante Parker shined toward the end of his rookie season. And rookie Leonte Carroo is a talent worth watching. Ample talent is up-front to help it all come together, with T Branden Albert and Mike Pouncey (questionable), along with Billy Turner and Ja'Wuan James. Rookie first-rounder Laremy Tunsil and free agent Jermon Bushrod makes this line a potential major asset. They didn't really deliver the goods last season, as they were unable to help spring a really meaningful ground-game.
Miami's offense is interesting and in a transitional period. The bright-eyed optimist would say Gase will have a deft touch with Tannehill. An improved line will help spring a deep run-game with a reinvigorated Foster. Young receiving talent will flourish and give the aerial game some real teeth. Maybe not all of these things will manifest, but some figure to and it could get Miami a little closer to matching the talent they have on paper with some actual on-the-field results.
Seattle is also looking for some big things offensively in 2016. Wilson ended the season on a 6-1 run where he had 24 TD throws and just one pick. During that stretch, Doug Baldwin was putting up Jerry Rice-like numbers, with 10 TD catches in a 4-game span. Jermaine Kearse remains a valuable receiver, while Tyler Lockett developed into a nice weapon through the air and on special teams in his rookie season. Having a healthy Jimmy Graham (questionable) should give this offense another gear.
When the shifty Russell Wilson is sacked 45 times, it doesn't speak well of the front. There was a lot of turnover in personnel from last season in this unit and maybe that's a good thing. Justin Britt remains, with Mark Glowinski and rookie Germain Ifedi on the inside, flanked by tackles Garry Gilliam and free agent signing T J'Marcus Webb. If this part of the team can make a step forward, look for Seattle's run-game to flourish, as Wilson continues to show why he is one of the most valuable players in football.
The dominance shown by the Seattle defense may have ebbed a bit from their Super Bowl winning period, but they still allowed the fewest points in the league for a 4th straight season. Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril remain at the bookends, though Brandon Mebane has departed. We'll see how Jordan Hill and Ahtyba Rubin do on the inside. The middle is in good hands with stars Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright, as both are all over the field. And the Legion of Doom is intact and this year, Earl Thomas is at full-power to start the season, Kam Chancellor is ready to go, and the corner situation looks solid with Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner, and Jeremy Lane.
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Miami's defense didn't head in the right direction last season. Injuries along the line didn't help the defense or first-year Dolphin Ndamukong Suh thrive in his first year in Miami, with the run-defense a particular issue. Help looks to be on the way, with returning Cameron Wake, Earl Mitchell, and free agent signing Mario Williams. Maybe high draft pick Dion Jordan (questionable) can make something happen. Kiko Alonso joins Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi in the middle. Byron Maxwell was added to a secondary that features pro bowl safety Reshad Jones and S Isa Abdul-Quddus. It will be interesting to see how all these pieces gel.
Miami could be interesting, but going to CenturyLink for an out-of-conference road opener is a tough way to see if things will work out for the 'Fins. This is something that will need to be looked at over a course of a season. With the opponent and the spot, this is a bad time for Miami to be evaluated. And over 4 quarters, I see it as being very difficult for the Dolphins to keep this one within single-digits. I'm taking the Seahawks.
Loot's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the Seattle Seahawks minus 10.5 points. Did you know... that you could be wagering on the Miami Dolphins vs. Seattle Seahawks at discounted odds? There's a better than good chance that you're laying -110 odds (or more) with your book. Stop overpaying TODAY by making the switch to 5Dimes Sportsbook! You will be so glad that you did!
