http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/NFLpowerrankingsx170815/2017-preseason-nfl-power-rankings-new-england-patriots-atlanta-falcons-seattle-seahawks-frontJay Cutler did have one of his best seasons under coach Adam Gase, but his completion percentage and touchdown-to-interception ratio that year each ranked 14th or worse league-wide. Don't be surprised if Matt Moore is elevated to No. 1 at some point soon.
And the response from the Palm Beach Post:
After season-ending injuries to quarterback Ryan Tannehill and linebacker Raekwon McMillan, ESPN dropped the Dolphins all the way from 13th in its power rankings to 25th.
This could be an over-reaction to the loss of Tannehill.
Or, it could be a rejection of the notion Jay Cutler can perform anywhere close to the level of Tannehill.
Miami faces a more difficult schedule in 2017.
They’re certainly not going to sneak up on any opponents.
And they have been crippled by injury in training camp.
If the Dolphins exceed ESPN’s expectations, these things must happen:
1. Cutler performs at a level comparable to what he did with the Bears in 2015, when Gase was his coordinator. Cutler must limit mistakes, turnovers, bad decisions and untimely risks.
2. Center Mike Pouncey starts and finishes at least 12 games. This is imperative because Pouncey is the glue of Miami’s offensive line. The leader. And the key to rushing success for Jay Ajayi.
3. Jarvis Landry clicks with Cutler and has his fair share of catches, even if he’s disappointed no contract extension has occurred and even if it seems DeVante Parker has emerged as Cutler’s preferred target.
4. William Hayes and Lawrence Timmons have the desired impact in Miami’s need to be more sturdy against the run. If Andre Branch and Cam Wake are improved as setting the edge, as alleged, that would be helpful.
5. Xavien Howard take a giant leap forward, Byron Maxwell does not regress, Bobby McCain creates some turnovers and Nate Allen plays no worse than Isa Abdul-Quddus did last season.
6. No more injuries. Not to any starter or key reserve. The Dolphins cannot afford another key injury at quarterback, running back, offensive line, linebacker or cornerback. Got it?
7. Some good luck. The Dolphins overcame their share of misfortune last season with timely turnovers, late-game, clutch heroics and a generally optimistic disposition set by then first-year coach Adam Gase. Miami can’t allow injuries, negative results and poor luck to set the team off the rails early in the season.
My personal opinion for what it's worth is that if all of the above happens, the team would likely have about the same record (10-6), and likely face another very early playoff exit.
If it doesn't happen, the team might be as bad as 6-10.
When you're working with roughly average quarterback play, and you don't have one of the league's best defenses, there's simply a fairly low ceiling on how well you can do as a team. 10-6 is about that ceiling.