Phins Have 3rd Hardest Schedule?

Another year and another tough schedule for Phins?

When the NFL 2020 schedule came out, the first thing I noticed was that the Miami Dolphins had one of the toughest schedules in the league. Based on last year’s records, the Phins have the 3rd hardest schedule in the league. Of course this is all based on expectations, so we don’t know how it will really shake out. Not every team meets their expectations… nor every schedule.

But based on expectations, how come the Dolphins had one of the more difficult schedules last year, and then get one of the hardest schedules this season?

Shafted?

Shouldn’t it be the opposite with an easier schedule? 

Well, a big reason this schedule is rated as the 3rd most difficult is that the Phins have two playoff teams in their division. Right off the bat, that’s four games against playoff teams. In addition, the Dolphins also scheduled to play the NFC West this upcoming season with both the 49ers and Seahawks. That’s two more playoff teams. Then throw in the fact that the Dolphins will have the play the AFC West, which means they will be playing the Super Bowl Champions. Talking about getting tested, the Phins are playing both teams that played in the Super Bowl last year.

Playing all these playoff teams is why this schedule is billed as the ‘3rd toughest’.

The best pay per head software like www.AcePerHead.com already has the lines out for the Dolphins first two games of the season. Both games are critical and tough because they are division games against playoff teams. 

First, Miami will play the new look Patriots Week 1 up in New England. Currently the Phins are a +6 point underdog. Could Miami possibly win up in New England? Considering that New England won’t have Brady, the Dolphins could sneak out another win in New England. Why not?

Week 2, the Dolphins host the Buffalo Bills and are currently a +3 point home underdog. Over the years the Dolphins have actually played the Patriots better than the Bills. Unfortunately, things may not be much different Week 2 since the Bills look to be very good.

Week 3 through Week 9 is a gauntlet

Then the Dolphins will go to Jacksonville to play the Jaguars in their only Prime Time game. This should be a winnable game. Maybe the Phins most winnable until after the Bye. But, Jacksonville has underachieved for a couple of seasons, so they are a bit of a wildcard. Then Miami hosts the Seahawks the following game. Having Seattle travel across the country to play at 1 pm in the heat, should help Miami’s chances. 

Over the following two weeks, the Dolphins will be on the road. First, the Phins will travel across the country to the Super Bowl runner up, the San Francisco 49ers. This has the makings of a very long afternoon. Then they’ll have travel up to Denver and play at the always difficult mile high stadium. This is a very challenging stretch.

After that the Dolphins will have back-to-back games at home, hosting two LA teams: the Chargers and Rams at 1 pm. The long travel and early time should give them a little extra advantage. Both teams are traveling across the country and playing at an earlier time then they are used to. At least it’s a little edge.

After that the Dolphins will have to travel back out west to Arizona and play a much-improved Cardinals team. Then Miami has a schedule quirk where they will host the Jets, have a bye week…

A Week 9 Bye will be sorely needed

… and the following week travel to New York to play the Jets again, which will be twice in 3 weeks. 

To start December and the last leg of the season, Miami has three home games in a row: the Bengals, the Super Bowl Champion Chiefs, and the Patriots. It great getting three home games, but two are against very tough opponents. The Dolphins end the season with two road games, one out west to play the Las Vegas Raiders and finally a brutal game up in Buffalo on January 3rd.  The chances are good that cold and snowy will be the 12th man.

I think the Dolphins can up their 5 win total from last season, and maybe even get to a respectable 8-8. They will be traveling a ton and have some serious challenges. At the very least, I hope the Dolphins can improve from last year and continue to trend up in the right direction after a busy free agent and draft. 

What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts about how many games the Dolphins will win next year?

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10 comments

  • Van Hamlin

    The patriots will start off slow and use a limited portion of the playbook to help the new quarterback get in tune with the receivers and visa versa. As the season progresses their offense will catch up tot heir defense. Beating them early could happen. Buffalo is just going to be tough both times. I am not sold on the Jets. I don’t think much of Adam Gase. We can at least split with them. The Dolphins can certainly beat the Jags, Cards, chargers and Bengals. The Rams, Raiders and Broncos are can-win games too. That leaves the 49ers, Seahawks and Chiefs probably should be considered a loss without these teams experiencing some cataclysmic event.

    The Dolphins have some new coaches and a very young roster. Coach Flores won me over last year, so I will be rooting for him. (NOTE: he is also a Panther fan)I predict an 8 & 8 season, which orbits a 9-7 or a 7-9 season. The key for the Dolphins is staying healthy. The bench kooks a little shallow. If we get lucky and go 9-7 Flores should be coach of the year. Any wins above this should carry enshrinement with a statue somewhere in the parking lot!

    • admin

      “f we get lucky and go 9-7 Flores should be coach of the year. Any wins above this should carry enshrinement with a statue somewhere in the parking lot!”

      That was great.

      It’s all going to be based on the O-line and the run game. If they get into the 20-11th ranks in both we can impress. If they are in the 32nd-21st its varying degree of 6-8 wins. Gase isn’t terrible, he is nuts and erratic.

  • Steve

    Hello Admin and Dol-Fans

    Winning early is the way to go! From 2000 until 2020 Fins have had 3/11 win seasons. Wannstedt made the playoffs twice his 1st and 2nd year as head coach followed by 3rd season (10-6 not enough making the playoffs). Tony Sparono made the playoffs his 1st season taking a 1-15 Dolphins team to 11 wins his 1st year as head coach.

    Playoff Seasons:
    2000 Fins went 5 home games wins and 6 away games wins—–first under new head coach Dave Wannstedt who was named the fourth head coach in franchise history on January 16, 2000, The team finished with a record of 11–5, their best record since 1992

    2001 Fins went 7 home games wings and 4 away games wins—Entering his 2nd year as Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt. The Miami Dolphins finished the season 2nd in the AFC East with a record of 11–5.

    2008 Fins went 5 home wins and 6 away games wins— Under new head coach Tony Sparano The Dolphins completed the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history,
    Upset win over the defending AFC Champion New England Patriots. Until 2019, this was the Dolphins’ last road win over the Patriots Until lead by Brian Flores final game against the Patriots 2019.

    2016 Head coach Adam Gase. The team 10–6 record and a playoff appearance for the first time since 2008.

    • admin

      If Wannstedt didn’t force out Marino I would have liked him better. Even a broken down Marino was better than Fiedler. Funny how the QB position killed him. I remember going to a hotel in Miami and seeing a magazine touting Fielder… turned my stomach. I didn’t watch much during his era. Hated the way snake Jimmy got him in… Jimmy playing a part in forcing out Shula and Marino and jamming in the Stache always bothered me.

  • Steve

    Hello Admin and Dol-Fans

    Former Jets Coach Herman Edwards says we play to win the game!

    That being said there are no easy games and no year is for rebuilding, each game is a possible win/loss. Playing the stuff teams only measure’s the Dolphins legitimacy. As Don Shula stated the success of a coach is to win soon and constantly win. 11 wins we make the playoffs 12 wins we host the at least two playoff games, 13,14 wins playoff are in Miami. Each NFL team start with the intent to win each game. Do I think Brian Flores is the right man? Yes and Yes But everyone else is suspect just listen to their excuses and dolphins have not played a single game.

    • admin

      Every prediction is based on expectations and previous accomplishments… unless you are a fan, then there is the extra addition of hope. Sometimes hope disappoints, sometimes it proves prophetic.

      • Steve

        All in agreement Admin!

        The Chief’s,Saints,49ers,Raven, Texans,Titans will most likely dominate and I would think the Indianapolis Colts will earn a playoff spot as well this 2020 season. The Eagles, Viking, Patriots and Bucs will most likely hold those wild cards? Every one else it remains to be seen.

        • admin

          Really, it’s about the run game and O-line. I think if both can get better than 21st you could see a surprise season. Of course, the Oline mostly determines the run game, so it’s all about the OL. It will def. be better this year, but how much and will it be substantial enough to drive the team?