Phins Have 3rd Hardest Schedule?

Jimmy Bourbon

5 years ago

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 3^rd 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 3^rd. 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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Another year and another tough schedule for Phins?

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

Week 3 through Week 9 is a gauntlet

A Week 9 Bye will be sorely needed

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