Dolphins-Browns game is what South Florida sports fans are talking about

1. DOLPHINS

Miami hosts sad Browns in home opener: After losses to two of NFL’s top teams and before traveling to playoff-quality Cincinnati for a Thursday nighter, Miami catches a break and enjoys a bye against the woeful Cleveland Browns in Sunday’s home opener.

2. HEAT

Bosh comeback derailed again as Heat nears training camp: Further complications related to clotting have derailed Chris Bosh’s latest comeback attempt as Heat prepares to open five-day training camp Tuesday in Nassau. And so the outlook dims for both team and player.

3. MARLINS

Fish fight for consolation of .500 as season ebbs: The once-plausible playoff bid has frittered away but club still hopes to finish above .500 as schedule winds down to its last four home games. You know you’re in trouble when “almost” is sold as a good season.

4. PANTHERS

Big-dreaming Cats prepare for NHL preseason: With visions of Lord Stanley’s Cup, Florida hosts Nashville on Tuesday in first of six preseason games. Cats have never begun a season with higher expectations. Can a franchise usually cast as underdogs live up?

5. HURRICANES

Idle Canes brace for a tough, telling October: No. 15 Miami, off this week, braces for five-game October test featuring in ACC — including Florida State here Oct. 8 — then a trip to Notre Dame. September hinted how good UM is. October will tell.

This story was originally published September 24, 2016 at 5:45 PM with the headline "Dolphins-Browns game is what South Florida sports fans are talking about."