2018 Miami Dolphins Road Schedule Odds with Expert Picks and Predictions

When an NFL Draft concludes, are you like me where you immediately wonder which quarterbacks will be first-round picks in the next year's draft and which teams will be in the market to take one in the first round?

I think there's little doubt that the Miami Dolphins will be such a club in 2019 unless Ryan Tannehill takes a big step forward this coming season - not to mention staying healthy. I believe the Dolphins were ready to pounce on UCLA's Josh Rosen at No. 11 in this year's draft as the eventual replacement for Tannehill. However, the Arizona Cardinals traded up from No. 15 with Oakland to No. 10 to take Rosen - who by all accounts has been stellar in workouts, etc.

The Dolphins got a potentially excellent player in Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, but Fins fans want a franchise quarterback. Then again, they pretty much have since Dan Marino's days. Hey, at least Jay Cutler is gone. When Tannehill went down with a season-ending injury early in camp last year, the Dolphins gave Cutler $10 million for one year to give up on his broadcasting career.

Cutler had success with current Dolphins coach Adam Gase while both were in Chicago in 2015, but last year went about as one would expect for those who have followed Cutler's incredibly inconsistent and overrated career. The Dolphins had a few surprising wins and a few more bad losses in 2017 on the way to a 6-10 mark, flipping Gase's record from his first season. I wouldn't say that Gase is in trouble this season, but you will find him among the favorites for first coach fired. It's pretty much all on Tannehill, who was pretty good in Gase's first year. The Fins can dump the QB after 2018 with pretty reasonable financial ramifications. Things could get ugly if Tannehill struggles or gets hurt because Brock Osweiler is his backup. Enough said.

The Dolphins were 2-6 on the road last year, 2-6 against the spread and 4-4 "over/under." Miami travels to three playoff teams from 2017: New England, Minnesota and Buffalo. The road schedule does look tougher than at home. I project another 2-6 record. Odds listed for the home team.

Sept. 16 at Jets (-1): I'm sure the Dolphins will be rooting for rookie Sam Darnold to win the New York starting job out of camp. Miami is off a Week 1 matchup vs. the Titans, which is winnable. Miami has won three of its past four against the Jets and is 23-29 all-time at the Jets. However, New York won at home in Week 2 last year, 20-6. That Cutler offense had 225 yards. Key trend: Dolphins 4-5-1 ATS in past 10 as road dog in series.

Sept. 30 at Patriots (-11): Miami is 17-35 all-time in games played at New England and hasn't won there since 2008 when Tom Brady was out injured. Last year, it was 35-17 Pats in Week 15. Cutler missed the game with a concussion and Matt Moore wasn't very good in his place, picked off twice and sacked seven times. Key trend: Dolphins' last cover as road dog in series was 2011.

Oct. 7 at Bengals (-2.5): This is the only game of the season that requires the Dolphins to travel away from home in consecutive weeks. The Dolphins have won seven of their past nine at Cincinnati but lost last time there in 2016, 22-7. Key trend: Dolphins 7-2 ATS in Cincinnati.

Oct. 25 at Texans (-7): Thursday night. As of now, this is the only non-1 p.m. ET game on the entire Miami schedule. The Fins are 1-7 all-time in the series and 0-4 in Houston. It's the fourth consecutive season the Dolphins have played a Thursday night game on the road. Key trend: Dolphins 5-5 ATS in past 10 at AFC South foes.

Nov. 11 at Packers (-10.5): The first likely cold-weather outdoor game for the Fins and ahead of their bye. It's Miami's first trip to Green Bay since 2010 and the latest in the year that the Fins have played there since December 1985. Miami is 4-2 all-time at the Packers, including one in Milwaukee. Key trend: Dolphins 5-5 ATS in past 10 before bye (any location).

Nov. 25 at Colts (-2.5): Miami out of its bye. The Fins have won their past three out of their bye if you include their Week 1 bye last year necessitated by Hurricane Irma. The Dolphins are 14-8 all-time in Indianapolis. They won there in last meeting 24-20 in 2013. Tannehill and Andrew Luck were both 2012 first-round picks. Key trend: Dolphins 5-5 ATS in past 10 out of bye (any location).

Dec. 16 at Vikings (-10): Dolphins off a big home matchup vs. New England. The Fins are 3-3 all-time at Minnesota. While Miami hasn't played there since 2010, they won't be totally unfamiliar with U.S. Bank Stadium, playing a preseason game there last year. Key trend: Dolphins 4-6 ATS in past 10 as double-digit road dog.

Dec. 30 at Bills (TBA): Per usual, no Week 17 lines. Yeah, guessing it won't be too balmy in Buffalo this time of year. Also guessing this one will be meaningless. Believe it or not, it's the first time that the Dolphins play their season finale in Buffalo. They have played six season finales against the Bills, but all of them have taken place in Miami. The Dolphins will be ending the season on the road for the first time since 2012. Key trend: Dolphins 3-7 ATS in past 10 in Buffalo.

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