The Miami Dolphins still have 13 games to look forward to this season — the 2020 NFL campaign is still young and Miami will certainly look to make the absolute most of the months ahead. But this long-term forecast in South Florida is where things get really exciting. Miami is one of the youngest teams in the NFL and with their slew of resources, this team can make a jump in 2021 and then again in 2022 when their current rookies are more matured.
So it is understandable for the Dolphins to keep one eye towards the future as it pertains to the big picture.
Which is why we’re all keeping an eye on what is going on with the Houston Texans. Houston sits at 0-3 on the season and the Dolphins’ future successes could very well be tied to the shortcomings of the Texans. Because Miami, thanks to the deal that sent OT Laremy Tunsil to block for Deshaun Watson, owns Houston’s 1st- and 2nd-round draft choices in this year’s draft.
So, after three games, which of Miami’s two 1st-round picks do with think will ultimately finish higher in the order?
Miami owns a game in the standings over Houston now, but there is plenty that will change. But call us crazy if you’d like — Houston’s pick will probably finish higher than Miami’s when it is all said and done. Yes, Houston played a brutal 3 game opening schedule with Kansas City, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Those are perhaps the three best teams in the AFC. But looking over the rest of their schedule, it is difficult to see this team dig themselves out of an 0-3 hole. Houston still has to play:
- Tennessee Titans (x2)
- The Indianapolis Colts (x2)
- The New England Patriots
- The Green Bay Packers
Additionally, Houston has the 2-1 Browns and the 3-0 Chicago Bears on the schedule as well. That’s 8 tough games for Houston to have to digest — and even if the team takes care of the “gimme” games like Jacksonville and Detroit, the outlined 8-game stretch would need to see Houston flip a script and claim 3-4 wins against the outlined teams above to even sniff .500 on the season.
The Dolphins don’t have an easy path either, but getting a win now and having two games against the New York Jets and a surprisingly softer October schedule due to injuries leaves Miami room to distance themselves as the better team this season, which in turn will make them an even better team that Houston once the Texans’ fully pay the price of acquiring Tunsil next spring.