You won't believe how one USA Today NFL writer thinks the Miami Dolphins season will go

An NFL reporter for USA Today is projecting disaster for the Miami Dolphins in 2024.

How else to explain Nate Davis' stunning prediction of 8-9?

Here's what Davis wrote:

"If you believe football teams should be built inside out and/or that games are won in the trenches … then this might not be the crew for you given the interior stalwarts (DT Christian Wilkins, G Robert Hunt, C Connor Williams) who were not re-signed. And if you don’t believe in a team that’s faded badly in both of HC Mike McDaniel’s seasons, albeit each concluding in the playoffs, then you won’t be encouraged by the fact that the Fins’ last six games come against four 2023 playoff teams (three on the road) and the Jets (twice)."

There is no doubt that the loss of guard Robert Hunt and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins will hurt the Dolphins.

But Miami let them go in large part because they play guard and defensive tackle.

Miami Dolphins prediction: losing record, says USA Today writer

These positions are generally much easier to fill with competent replacements than say, quarterback, offensive tackle, edge rusher and cornerback.

We'll see.

For the Dolphins to finish 8-9 - which would probably put coach Mike McDaniel's job security into question - we think at least a few of these things would have to happen.

And, no, we don't see 8-9 happening.

No, 8-9 is not a reasonable Miami Dolphins projection, sir

This scribe sees 11-6 or 10-7.

But for 8-9 to happen, perhaps some of these things would happen:

• Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa misses four or more games with injury.
• Wide receiver Tyreek Hill misses four or more games with injury.
• Cornerback Jalen Ramsey misses four or more games with injury.
• Edges Jaelan Phillips and/or Bradley Chubb do not return to form.
• Without Wilkins, Miami is gashed and mashed in the run.
• Without Hunt and Connor Williams, Miami's offensive line stumbles.
• Left tackle Terron Armstead misses six or more games with injury.
• There are blizzards in losses at Buffalo, Green Bay, Cleveland and the Jets.
• Miami is forced to forfeit multiple games for over-inflating footballs.

OK, OK, so we don't see that last one happening.

8-9?

Nah, USA Today .

Palm Beachers think a 12-5 finish is more likely.

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post . You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe . Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter . Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: You won't believe how one USA Today NFL writer thinks the Miami Dolphins season will go