The NFL has just released the 2016 schedule for each team, and I figured I’d write and well…it’s the off season, where hope is eternal, so I figure I’d give a Homers take on the 2016 schedule. I admit, there will be lot of pretty please.

The Dolphins are once again going to have to be road warriors to start the season. Three of their first four games are on the road in September.

Gone are the days when we use to have 2 to 3 home games in the first month of season under the blazing September Miami sun. We can blame that on “Stevie” Ross. He asked the league for less home games in the first month of the season, because he thought it was uncomfortably warm for the fans.

I’m a fan, and frankly I’m uncomfortable with consistently losing each year! Can Ross fix that?!

Does Ross think the Packer fans do not want home games at the end of the season, because its too uncomfortably cold at Lambeau field? But, I digress.

(Game 1 @ Seahawks) The first game of the season the Dolphins will have to travel to their longest distance, which is at least good to get that out of the way in the beginning of the season, against the very talented and tough Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks are once again going to be contending for a Super Bowl, and they are always extra tough at Century Link Field. However, one knock on the Seahawks the last couple of seasons is that they have started out the season slow, so it is possible (fingers and toes crossed) that if Gase can come out with a very good game plan, they may have a chance to catch the Seahawks in a vulnerable first game. Let the pixie dust begin to fall,  I am  going to “predict” that we steal a victory in this game and go (1-0). Now that my first six-pack is finished, I’ll  move onto game two.

(Game 2 @ Patriots) Unfortunately, the Dolphins have another extremely tough road matchup against the New England Patriots. The one (small – I mean thing Miami will have in their advantage is that Belichick has never faced Gase as a head coach with Miami’s roster and tendencies, so there is going to be limited amount of tape that he can study. However, many football gambling fans believe that the Patriots have an even better roster than last year, so a win for Miami is going to be too much to ask for – even after a six-pack plus: (1-1).

(Game 3 vs Browns) The Browns are a mess of a franchise, and it will be Miami’s home opener, so everything should favor Miami winning this game. Even though Miami had a tough time with winnable games last year, I believe this team should be more competitive, and will beat their weaker opponents: (2-1).

(Game 4 @ Bengals, Thursday Night Game) The Bengals again have a very talented roster, and both teams will be coming off a short week. The Ace in the hole is that Vance Joseph has the inside track on the Bengals, and the Dolphins have played well against the Bengals in the past, so I will make a bold (homer induced) prediction and say Miami pulls off the upset in this game: (3-1).

(Game 5 vs Titans) The Titans are one of the worst teams in the league, and even though they have gotten a little better, there should be no reason why Miami will not win this game: (4-1).

(Game 6 vs Steelers) The Steelers were very banged up last year, and were still had one of the best teams in the AFC. Personally, I think the Steelers are right up there with the Patriots as the two best teams in the AFC, and Ben Roethlisberger is going to be way too much for the Dolphins defense to handle: (4-2).

(Game 7 vs Bills) The Dolphins will be in the midst of a 4 game home stand and will have to find a way to beat a team that has dominated the last 4 years. I believe – let me finish this rum and coke –  the Dolphins are going to be a more physical team this year, and will finally be able to beat the Bills: (5-2).

(Week 8 Bye) Good thing too, I need to eat some to take the edge off all this drinking.

(Game 8 vs Jets) The Dolphins were swept by the Jets last season, however the Jets over achieved last season, and they lost a few good players this year, so I believe the Dolphins can at least split the series this year, and win this home game. (6-2)

(Game 9 @ Chargers) The Chargers still have Phillip Rivers, however, he is a QB that Miami has had success with in the past. If it was not for Rivers, I would actually view the Chargers as more of a rebuilding team, because they don’t have that much talent on their roster. Miami “should” be able to win this game: (7-2).

(Game 10 @ Rams) The will be interesting because the Rams have moved to LA, so if Miami is smart they will stay on the West Coast after the Chargers game instead of traveling back and forth, and wasting time and energy on traveling. The Rams are a funky team because they usually play well against very good teams, and then lose to bad teams. The Rams just made a huge trade to get the # 1 draft pick, so I assume they will have a Rookie QB at the helm, which should be to the Dolphins advantage. (8-2)

(Game 11 vs 49ers) The 49ers were not very good last year, and look like they are going to be even worse next season. The Dolphins should be able to also take advantage of the 49ers long distance travel itinerary and win this game: (9-2).

Pretty Rosie so far for the 2016 schedule, huh? Well there isn’t enough juice in this gin to make me keep this dream afloat.

The Homer and his hope have fallen like Troy after week 12.

(Game 12 @ Ravens) Even when the Ravens were depleted by injuries last season, Miami still was not able to beat them. The Ravens appear poised to have a bounce back year, and I feel Miami will still not have an answer for them, and will (once again) lose this game: (9-3).

(Game 13 vs Cardinals) The Cardinals were one of the best teams in the league last year, and won in double digits the last 3 seasons. Other than some significant injuries, the Cardinals should undoubtedly be very good again this season, and they will be too much for the Dolphins to handle: (9-4).

(Game 14 @ Jets) The Dolphins are not going to be able to sweep the Jets, so I have them losing on the road: (9-5).

(Game 15 @ Bills) Same as with the Jets, the Dolphins will not be able to sweep the Bills, so I have them losing when they travel to Buffalo on Saturday Christmas Eve: (9-6).

I just knew I should have bought another six-pack.

(Game 16 vs Patriots) The Patriots will almost definitely have the AFC East locked up by the last game of the season, but they may be in the hunt for the number one overall seed in the Playoffs, and this time the Patriots are not going to let the Dolphins ruin it for them like at the end of 2015: (9-7).

Clearly, I am a bit inebriated..thus the optimistic take on the Dolphins 2016 schedule, but what can I say, I’m a homer with beer goggles!  I know even the best sportsbooks would shake their heads at my “predictions”. But hey, we are fans right?! At least let’s get a smile on at some point during the season!! Go Fins Forever – or till they kill me!!! Which ever comes first.