To say the Miami Dolphins 2021 season was a rollercoaster ride would not do it justice – last year more closely resembled a bungee jump. After edging the New England Patriots at home to open the season, the Dolphins plummeted, losing their next seven, only to rebound with a stunning seven-game winning streak. Miami ultimately posted a winning record (9-8) though not good enough to secure an AFC Wild Card spot.
Despite the strong finish to the season, Miami shockingly fired head coach Brian Flores, replacing him with former San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. McDaniel spent five years with the 49ers, primarily involved with the team’s running game before assuming broader offensive responsibilities in 2021. The Dolphins currently have tied for the second-best NFL odds to win the AFC East at +400.
In an eye-popping NFL offseason, the Dolphins grabbed their share of the headlines, acquiring six-time All-Pro wideout Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs. In Hill, Miami receives one of the game’s most electric performers, a genuine deep threat for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to complement second-year wideout Jaylen Waddle. Waddle set an NFL rookie record for receptions with 104 last season for 1,015 yards.
Tyreek Hill is the 3rd best WR on Madden NFL 23 with a rating of 97 🐬 pic.twitter.com/hL48uGRJb3
— Dolphin Nation (@Dolphin_Nation) July 19, 2022
The Dolphins appear to have fully embraced a running back by committee approach for the upcoming season, adding running backs Chase Edmonds from the Arizona Cardinals, veteran Sony Michel from the Los Angeles Rams, and ex-49er Raheem Mostert. They join holdovers Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed in trying to bolster a Miami ground game that ranked 29th in the NFL last season, averaging just 92.2 yards per game.
This season’s schedule – ranked 12th easiest based on opposition winning percentage – has the Dolphins squaring off against the NFC North and AFC North in addition to their traditional home-and-home encounters with their AFC East rivals.
Here is a closer look.
Week 1 vs. New England Patriots
Date: Sunday, September 11
Time: 1:00 PM ET
The Dolphins swept the home-and-home with New England last season, edging the Pats 17-16 on the road in Week 1, and closing the season with a 33-24 victory at Hard Rock Stadium. New England ranked fourth in fewest passing yards allowed per game but 24th in rushing yards against in 2021.
Week 2 @ Baltimore Ravens
Date: Sunday, September 18
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Last year, Miami handled the Ravens 22-10 at home in Week 10, keeping Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson largely in check. The Dolphins will need more of the same against a Ravens team that looks to rebound from an injury-plagued 2021 season.
Week 3 vs. Buffalo Bills
Date: Sunday, September 25
Time: 1:00 PM ET
The Bills swept the Dolphins in their home-and-home last season, including a 35-0 shellacking at Hard Rock Stadium in Week 2. The Fins will likely put up more of a fight in this one, with Tyreek Hill looking to wreak havoc on the Bills secondary, reminiscent of his 2021 divisional playoff performance in a Chiefs uniform.
Week 4 @ Cincinnati Bengals
Date: Thurs. September 29
Time: 8:15 PM ET
On short rest, Miami travels to Paul Brown Stadium to tangle with Joe Burrow and the Bengals on Thursday Night Football. Tua Tagovailoa and Co. will look to exploit a Bengals’ defense that ranked 26th in the league last season in passing yards allowed.
Week 5 @ New York Jets
Date: Sunday, October 9
Time: 1:00 PM ET
The Dolphins’ offense came to life in winning both games against the Jets last season, amassing 767 total yards. The Jets, buoyed by this year’s draft, will look to improve on last year’s defense, which ranked dead last in yards allowed per game.
Week 6 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Date: Sunday, October 16
Time: 1:00 PM ET
This matchup shapes up to be a high-scoring affair. The Vikings, with a top-10 offensive attack, but vulnerable defense ranked 28th in yards allowed per game last season. Both teams have new head coaches, a new offensive philosophy, and boast outstanding wide receivers. The Dolphins duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will square off against the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.
Week 7 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Sunday, October 23
Time: 8:20 PM ET
An intriguing Sunday night matchup against the Steelers, who enter a new era offensively following the retirement of legendary quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. A revenge game for former Miami head coach, now Steelers senior defensive assistant/linebacker coach Brian Flores.
Week 8 @ Detroit Lions
Date: Sunday, October 30
Time: 1:00 PM ET
The Lions were a tough out at home down the stretch, with victories over Minnesota, Arizona, and Green Bay. This game looms as a must-have for the Dolphins in the context of their playoff hopes and a more demanding schedule in the season’s final weeks.
Week 9 @ Chicago Bears
Date: Sunday, November 6
Time: 1:00 PM
The Dolphins continue their trek through the NFC North with this matchup against the rebuilding Bears. As expected, Bears quarterback Justin Fields experienced some growing pains in his rookie season but has undoubtedly flashed a dynamic offensive talent that can pose problems for any defense.
Week 10 vs. Cleveland Browns
Date: Sunday, November 13
Time: 1:00 PM ET
As has been written about at length, the fate of Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson casts a large shadow on the Browns’ 2022 campaign. The former Texans signal-caller could be under center for this clash with the Dolphins, depending on the magnitude of the possible suspension levied by the NFL.
Week 11 BYE
Week 12 vs. Houston Texans
Date: Sunday, November 27
Time: 1:00 PM ET
The Dolphins got past the Texans at home in Week 9 last year, a game where Miami managed just 47 yards rushing. With Houston firmly in rebuild mode, it is hard to imagine the Fins letting this one slip away.
Week 13 @ San Francisco 49ers
Date: Sunday, December 4
Time: 4:05 PM ET
The first of three tough games on the road, beginning with this clash against the 49ers. A stern challenge for the Miami offense facing the NFL’s fourth-ranked defense in 2021.
Week 14 @ Los Angeles Chargers
Date: Sunday, December 11
Time: 4:05 PM ET
Miami remains on the West Coast to face Justin Herbert and a Bolts offense that ranked third in passing yards per game and fifth in scoring last season. Expect an air show in a game that could carry significant playoff implications for both teams.
Week 15 @ Buffalo Bills
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Miami has struggled in Orchard Park of late, with just one win in 10 games since 2012.
Week 16 vs. Green Bay Packers
Date: Sunday, December 25
Time: 1:00 PM ET
The Dolphins return home to face Aaron Rodgers minus Davante Adams. The Packers may take a step back offensively this season, but defensively, Green Bay is expected to boast one of the league’s most formidable units. If the Dolphins’ recent road trip disappoints, this game becomes critical should Miami remain in the Wild Card conversation.
Week 17 @ New England Patriots
Date: Sunday, January 1
Time: 1:00 PM ET
The return matchup with the Pats in what is expected to be a crowded AFC Wild Card mix, likely unresolved at this late stage of the season.
Week 18 vs. New York Jets
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
A scenario where the Dolphins need this one to clinch their first postseason berth since 2016 is not beyond the realm of possibility. The Jets would love to postpone that party.
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