A new era is underway in South Florida as rookie head coach Adam Gase takes over the Miami Dolphins. The team will have a new look and a new attitude. But will it result in more wins?
Here is a game-by-game prediction for Miami:
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11 at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 p.m. ET
Welcome to being an NFL head coach, Adam Gase! His debut comes on the road against the 12th man and the Seahawks. Miami to Seattle is one of the longest road trips in the league. The good news is the Dolphins get this one out of the way early, but it probably won't be pretty. Record: 0-1
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18 at New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET
The Dolphins couldn't have handpicked two tougher road games to start their season. Gillette Stadium has been a house of horrors for Miami over the years. The Dolphins haven't won there since 2008, and they won't win there this year, either. Record: 0-2
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 25 vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
Finally, this is a winnable game at home. The Dolphins will make their home debut in Week 3 in a battle of sharp, first-year head coaches. This time, Gase gets the better of Cleveland's Hue Jackson. Record: 1-2
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29 at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:25 p.m. ET
The Dolphins have a quick turnaround playing the Bengals on the road Thursday night. Miami has matched up well with Cincinnati in recent years. But these Bengals are too talented to blow this one. Record: 1-3
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9 vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
Last year, the Dolphins crushed the Titans and quarterback Marcus Mariota, 38-10. The margin won't be as wide this year, but the result will be the same with Miami getting a much-needed victory: Record: 2-3
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET
The Dolphins' secondary simply isn't good enough to withstand the passing attack of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers. Look for Pittsburgh to put up plenty of points in this one: Record: 2-4
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23 vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
The Mario Williams revenge tour starts during this week. The former Bills defensive end will be fired up to play his former team, and expect the Dolphins to rally around Williams to pick up another win at home. Record: 3-4
Week 9: Sunday, Oct. 30 vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
The Dolphins are coming off a bye week. Therefore, you have to assume two weeks of getting healthy and game planning for this one will pay off, especially with the Jets' quarterback situation in flux. Record: 4-4
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13 at San Diego Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET
This is a rematch of last year's 30-14 shellacking by San Diego. The Dolphins rarely play well in West Coast games, probably due to fatigue and jetlag. This is a winnable game. But Miami will fall victim to a long road trip once again. Record: 4-5
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 20 at Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET
If the Dolphins are wise, they will stay on the West Coast during their back-to-back games against Southern California teams. However, running back Todd Gurley and Los Angeles' talented defense will still be too much for Miami to handle on the road. Record: 4-6
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27 vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m. ET
The Dolphins play against their third consecutive team from California. However, they get the benefit of a West Coast team making the long trip to Miami, and the Dolphins take advantage. Record: 5-6
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4 at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
The Ravens have been an awful matchup for Miami in recent years. Baltimore is the tougher and better-coached team. Add in home-field advantage, and that equals another loss for Miami. Record: 5-7
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m. ET
Cardinals quarterback and MVP candidate Carson Palmer should have a field day against Miami's secondary. The Cardinals are a legit Super Bowl contender who probably will be playing for high stakes at this point in the season. That is bad news for the Dolphins. Record: 5-8
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, at New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET
A Saturday night, prime-time game in the blustery December weather at the Meadowlands has all the makings of a loss. However, the Dolphins often play well at MetLife Stadium, with last year being the exception: Record: 6-8
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24 at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
The Dolphins have had many ugly losses late in the year at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills will earn the split in the season series at home with their defensive line, as usual, punishing Miami's offensive line: Record: 6-9
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1 vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m. ET
A Week 17 game against the Patriots often is hard to predict. New England could be resting its starters for the playoff run or not playing 100 percent to preserve the health of key players. Similar to last year, let's give this last win of the season to Miami assuming circumstances will be involved: Record: 7-9