As NFL teams prepare for the reopening of training facilities, the Dolphins could be lagging behind.
The second season of the Brian Flores era will begin exactly where the Miami Dolphins’ 2019 season ended on a high note, in Foxborough on the road against a New England Patriots team beginning life without Tom Brady.
The Dolphins’ first two games of 2020 season will be against two AFC East division rivals, as Miami begins the regular season with the Patriots and then hosts the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 20 before playing a Thursday night game on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 24.
Miami’s home schedule is loaded with quality opponents as the Dolphins, which finished 2019 with a 5-11 record, will host the Kansas Chiefs, Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, each of which has played in a Super Bowl in the past two seasons.
After a three-game homestand against the Cincinnati Bengals, Chiefs and Patriots to start December, the Dolphins will hit the road for the season’s final two games, playing the Las Vegas Raiders on either Dec. 26 or 27th, and finish out the 2020 season in Buffalo on Jan. 3.
Of course, if circumstances change with the coronavirus pandemic and the start of the season is pushed back, all of this could change.
Here is a look at the Dolphins’ 2020 schedule released by the NFL on Thursday night.
Week 1: at New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, Sept. 13, 1 p.m. (CBS)
The Dolphins pulled off a season-ending upset over the Patriots, squeaking out a 27-24 fourth-quarter victory behind a clutch performance from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. That win ended Miami’s 10-year losing streak in Foxborough.
Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills, Hard Rock Stadium; Sept. 20, 1 p.m. (CBS)
The Dolphins have lost five of their past six games against the playoff-bound Buffalo Bills, whose 10 wins are the franchise’s most since finishing 11-5 in 1999.
Week 3: at Jacksonville Jaguars, TIAA Bank Field, Sept. 24, 8:20 p.m. (NFL Network)
The Jaguars fired executive vice president Tom Coughlin, leaving coach Doug Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell playing a bigger role in the organization, which has been embarking on a massive rebuild that could lead to struggles for team led by secondyear quarterback Gardner Minshew II. Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Hard Rock Stadium, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. (Fox)
Russell Wilson, who became Seattle’s career leader in passing yards this season, undoubtedly will bring lots of excitement to Hard Rock Stadium as the Seahawks continue their push to rebuild while remaining a title contender.
Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers, Levi’s Stadium, Oct. 11, 4:05 p.m. (Fox)
The 49ers, who were a quarter away from winning the Super Bowl, established themselves as one of the best teams in the NFL with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo under center and appear primed for a do-over courtesy of the smart moves made this offseason. Week 6: at Denver Broncos, Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, Oct. 18, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
The Broncos hope the franchise will turned the corner with rookie quarterback Drew Lock, who produced a 4-1 record in his late-season starts during Vic Fangio’s first season. The Broncos gifted Lock with receiver Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler in the 2020 draft, and signed tailback Melvin Gordon as a free agent.
Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Hard Rock Stadium, Oct. 25, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Longtime quarterback Philip Rivers left the Chargers to sign with the Indianapolis Cots, which means Tyrod Taylor, an NFL journeyman, or Justin Herbert, the sixth pick in the 2020 NFL draft, will likely be starting against Miami.
Week 8: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Hard Rock Stadium, Nov. 1, 1 p.m. (FOX)
Sean McVay’s team went from losing the Super Bowl a year ago to not qualifying for the playoffs in 2019. This is the Rams’ chance to redeem themselves, and they’ve added a couple pieces like tailback Cam Akers, receiver Van Jefferson and linebacker Terrell Lewis to help the Rams get back to being an NFL power.
Week 9: at Arizona Cardinals, University of Phoenix Stadium, Nov. 8, 4:25 p.m. (CBS)
The Cardinals embark on year two of the Kyler Murray era, having given the No 1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft one of the best receiving units in the NFL courtesy of the trade that delivered DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona. Week 10: vs. York Jets, Hard Rock Stadium; Nov. 15, 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
The Jets struggled to get Le’Veon Bell going last season. The Pro Bowl tailback averaged 3.2 yards per carry last season, and scored just four touchdowns in the 15 regular season games he played last season. The Jets have made drastic improvements to the offensive line with the hope of jump starting the running game.
Week 11: Bye week
Week 12: at New York Jets, MetLife Stadium, Nov. 29, 1 p.m. (CBS)
This is year two of the Adam Gase era in New York. The former Dolphins coach split the series with Miami last season as quarterback Sam Darnold was sidelined for a couple of weeks with mononucleosis.
Week 13: vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Hard Rock Stadium, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to be the Bengals starting quarterback after Cincinnati selected him No. 1, and he’ll benefit from the return of A.J. Green, who missed all of last season because of an ankle problem.
Week 14: vs Kansas City Chiefs, Hard Rock Stadium, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. (CBS)
The Dolphins will likely have their hands full against Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, who became the fastest quarterback to throw for 9,000 yards and 75 touchdowns in NFL history, accomplishing the feat in just 30 games.
Week 15: vs. New England Patriots, Hard Rock Stadium; Dec. 20, 1 p.m. (CBS)
The Dolphins will host the Patriots without Tom Brady for the first time since 2008 because of the quarterback’s defection to Tampa Bay. The Patriots are 2-5 in the past six games at Hard Rock Stadium.
Week 16: at Las Vegas Raiders, Allegiant Stadium, Dec. 26 or 27, time TBD ( TV TBD)
Coach Jon Gruden has the Raiders headed in the right direction in year three of his return, setting up high expectations for the team’s move from Oakland to Las Vegas this season.
Week 17: at Buffalo Bills, New Era Field, Jan. 3, 1 p.m. (CBS)
The Dolphins visit the Bills having not won in Buffalo since 2016, which happens to be one of two road wins Miami has pulled off against the Bills the past two decades.
Dolphins’ preseason games (dates TBD): Week 1 at Atlanta Falcons (Aug. 13-17); Week 2 vs Philadelphia Eagles (Aug. 20-24), Week 3 vs. Detroit Lions (Aug. 27-30); Week 4 at New Orleans Saints (Sept. 3-4)
Fans can visit Dolphins.com to purchase single-game tickets, which are now on sale, or call 888-FINS-TIX (1-888-346-7849).