DAVIE, Fla. _ The Cleveland Browns, perhaps the NFL's worst team, will start rookie third-team quarterback Cody Kessler against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Kessler's appearance leads many to surmise the Dolphins should surely win. That's flawed logic.
Kessler, the third-round pick from Southern California, shouldn't be the reason the Dolphins should beat the Browns. The Dolphins should beat the Browns because they're the better team, or at the very least because they're the better team that day.
The starting quarterback could be a footnote if his surrounding players do well and the coaches give him a workable gameplan.
Yes, the starting quarterback often plays a big role in which team wins or loses.
But in some cases, the starting quarterback isn't the primary reason a team wins.
Here's a list of suspect quarterbacks that have beaten the Dolphins over the last few years:
_In 2012, Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker, now retired because of injuries, led the Titans, with their 3-6 record, to a 37-3 road victory against the Dolphins. Locker was 9-of-21 for 122 yards, for two touchdowns and no interceptions. Locker ended with a 93.8 passer rating.
_In 2013, Tampa Bay quarterback Mike Glennon led the winless Buccaneers, then 0-8, to a 22-19 Monday Night Football victory over the Dolphins at Tampa Bay. Glennon was 11-of-21 for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He ended with a 52.1 passer rating.
_In 2013, Buffalo quarterback Thad Lewis led the Bills, who would finish in last place in the AFC East, to a 19-0 home victory over the Dolphins that severely damaged the Dolphins' playoffs hopes. Lewis was 15-of-25 for 193 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He had a passer rating of 56.3.
_In 2013, New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith led his team to a 20-7 road victory in the season finale. Smith was 17-of-27 for 190 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He ended with a 56.3 passer rating.
_In 2014, Buffalo quarterback EJ Manuel led his team to a 29-10 home victory despite going 16-of-26 for 202 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He had a 98.6 passer rating.
_In 2014, Smith had a perfect passer rating of 158.3 while leading the Jets to a 37-24 road victory over the Dolphins in the finale. Smith was 20-of-25 for 358 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
_In 2015, Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Jets to a 27-14 victory over the Dolphins in London. Fitzpatrick was 16 of 29 for 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He had a 76.5 passer rating.
Granted, none of the quarterbacks listed above was a third-teamer without NFL experience such as Kessler.
The point here, however, is sometimes it doesn't matter who is playing quarterback.
A lightly-regarded quarterback could have a big day and win, such as Smith in 2014, or he could live down to expectations and still win, such as Glennon in 2013.
So if you think the Dolphins will beat Cleveland on Sunday, hopefully you lean that way because you think the Dolphins are the better team as opposed to who is playing quarterback for the Browns. Choosing the latter would be a huge mistake.
