FAST START MAY BE KEY
Striving to make the playoffs, the Dolphins could go 10-6 with some early wins.
With the annual release of the NFL schedule comes the annual event of marking each game with a W or L.
Looking at the Miami Dolphins’ schedule for the upcoming season, they’ll need to pile up wins early because life gets tough starting in Week 6. Here’s a prediction for each game as they try to return to the playoffs: Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Win Hard Rock Stadium will be bursting with energy as Ryan Tannehill makes his return, and the Dolphins have a good shot at starting hot in Year 2 with Adam Gase. Week 2 at Los Angeles Chargers: Win This isn’t the Chargers team Miami is used to facing. They were a mess last year and didn’t make overwhelming upgrades to their roster this offseason. Week 3 at New York Jets: Win How about a 3-0 start for the Dolphins? They haven’t done that since 2013, but this schedule sets up well for it. Week 4 vs. New Orleans Saints in London: Loss The Dolphins’ travel travails finally catch up with them against a Saints team that’s always hard to defend. Week 5 vs. Tennessee Titans: Win After a few days of readjusting to the Eastern Time Zone, Miami will come up big against fellow playoff contender Tennessee. Week 6 at Atlanta Falcons: Loss The Falcons were on the brink of winning the Super Bowl a few months ago and are expected to be contenders once again this season. Week 7 vs. New York Jets: Win Every team in the league pencils the Jets in as a victory, and most of them were right last year. Look for the Dolphins to sweep them for the second straight season. Week 8 at Baltimore Ravens: Loss The Ravens have been a huge problem for Miami the last few years, and it’s going to be brutal playing them on the road in a short week. Week 9 vs. Oakland Raiders: Loss This would have been more favorable to the Dolphins if it was an early kickoff, but the Sunday Night Football slot gives Oakland plenty of time to adjust to playing across the country. Week 10 at Carolina Panthers: Win Winning prime-time games on the road is a bear, but Carolina took a big step backward last year by going 6-10, and this one’s winnable for Miami. Week 12 at New England Patriots: Loss The Dolphins will have their hands full in this one. The upside, though, is they’ll be going to New England after a bye week. Week 13 vs. Denver Broncos: Win Adam Gase gets the best of his former team in this one. The Broncos still don’t have a quarterback. Week 14 vs. New England Patriots: Win This should be a fun Monday night game. New England will still be going full throttle, but Miami will pull a nice upset. Week 15 at Buffalo Bills: Win It’s hard to pick a last-place finisher in the AFC East out of the Bills and Jets, but both should be little trouble for Miami. The Dolphins swept those series last year and will do it again. Week 16 at Kansas City Chiefs: Loss The Chiefs have been dominant in the regular season the past few years and are especially tough to beat at home. The conditions could play a role, too, in late December. Week 17 vs. Buffalo Bills: Win Finally, the Dolphins don’t end their season against New England. They get the Bills, and if Miami needs the game, it’ll be there for the taking.