ESPN panel shows no faith in Miami Dolphins to win AFC East in 2023 season

There’s a lot of optimism surrounding the Miami Dolphins heading into the 2023 NFL campaign, but a handful of folks at ESPN don’t have much faith in the team’s chances of winning the AFC East this season.

During a recent episode of “Get Up,” four ESPN analysts made predictions for who they think will win the division in the 2023 campaign. Of the four analysts, three picked the New York Jets, and one picked the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins didn’t get any love.

If nothing else, the Dolphins can use this as motivation going forward. Miami already knows it has a lot to prove in the upcoming season, and a little bulletin board material certainly can’t hurt.

It has been a productive offseason for the Dolphins, especially on the defensive side of the ball. By adding some brilliant defensive minds and acquiring players like Jalen Ramsey, the team figures to be significantly better on defense.

That’s a welcome development for fans, especially since the Dolphins finished the 2022 regular season ranked 24th in scoring defense. Miami allowed 23.5 points per game along the way.

It’s no secret that the Dolphins have a lethal offense when healthy, so if the defensive unit can take a step forward, the team may very well end up making some noise in the AFC East. The division is expected to be perhaps the most competitive in all of the NFL, but it’s a safe bet that the Dolphins aren’t backing down from the challenge.

This season, Miami is looking to earn its second straight playoff bid for the first time in over two decades. The Dolphins are also looking to claim their first division crown since the 2008 campaign. They have a chance to end a lot of droughts all in one swoop.

The journey will begin in September with a road game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Dolphins have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this season, per Sharp Football Analysis, but that’s not going to stop them from trying to check every last box on their list.