BOTTOM LINE
Nobody will ever deny the magic that Sparano orchestrated during his first year as head coach. Not only did he make boss Bill Parcells look even smarter for hiring him, but he also brought the Dolphins back to the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
If Sparano wants to keep the magic alive, he’ll have to do it by barreling through a challenging schedule. Miami faced much good fortune in 2008, from a limited number of injuries to a friendly schedule. We’ll soon find out whether that luck led to the Dolphins’ success – or whether this team has truly turned the corner toward becoming one of the NFL’s elite.
Prediction: 9-7 (second, AFC East)
