NFL
By: Rick
After a disappointing end to the 2023 season, the Miami Dolphins are looking forward to 2024. After 24 years of playoff losses or missing the playoffs altogether can 2024 be the year they secure a W in the postseason?
Wk. 1 Sun, Sep 8 vs Jacksonville 1:00 PM CBS (series 6-5 Jax)
The last time these two teams faced off, Jacksonville walked out of London squeaking out a 23-20 victory. Maybe it will be a revenge game for QB Tua Tagovailoa, but given the drama surrounding that season and how he’s improved since, it might just be another Sunday at the stadium. On paper, the Dolphins have the better roster, but this is the NFL and the better team doesn’t always win. Miami’s new-look defense will be under the microscope after losing key players, but Miami shines at home early in the season and should win this one to start the season 1-0.
Wk. 2 Sun, Sep 12 vs Buffalo 8:15 PM PRIME VIDEO (series 62-58-1 MIA)
After losing top players such as Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Buffalo will be looking to prove they’re still king in the AFC East. They’ll open the season against the Cardinals thus both teams should be walking into this game 1-0. Miami needs to have a strong showing to solidify their case of being able to beat “good teams”. Josh Allen has had Miami’s number. Luckily for Miami, it’ll be a home game in early September and should be another hot one, providing them with a 2-0 start to the season.
Wk. 3 Sun, Sep 22 at Seattle 4:05 PM CBS (series 10-6 MIA)
Pete Carrol walked away from a tenure in Seattle that featured a Super Bowl victory. Seattle will be starting over with a new head coach but the core offensive playmakers will still be in tact. Playing in Seattle was one of the toughest challenges not too long ago. If Miami doesn’t bring their best, this one could get away from them. However, Miami will be throwing every look they can at newly appointed HC Mike McDonald and his decision making in real time will have to be on par. Both he and Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver are former Ravens defensive minds so it will be interesting to see how this one plays out. Yet Miami should walk out of Seattle 3-0.
Wk. 4 Mon, Sep 30 vs Tennessee 7:30 PM ESPN (series 21-19 MIA)
If you were looking down the schedule for the “revenge game” then look no further than Wk 4 against the Tennessee Titans. Against the Titans is where the wheels started to come off in 2023. Miami might pull out all of the stops in this one to make a statement in 2024. Look for a close game but ultimately a victory to start the season 4-0.
Wk. 5 Sun, Oct 6 at New England 1:00 PM FOX (series 62-55 MIA)
Jerod Mayo is put in a tough situation with the Patriots. Not only will he be a first-time head coach, with a brand new QB, on a team with the history of the Patriots but he’ll also be in the AFC East where the division hasn’t been this competitive in a long time. Despite being at home and as good as the Pats could start, division games in the AFC East are always the toughest games of the season. Experience should win this game for the Miami Dolphins to go into their BYE 5-0.
Wk. 6 BYE WEEK
Wk. 7 Sun, Oct 20 at Indianapolis 1:00 PM FOX (series 48-28 MIA)
There’s always a toss up game every year that leaves fans disappointed. In Week 7 against the Colts will be that game. All things considered, it is no different than any other game against any other opponent, but coming off two weeks of rest against a team on the rise could be the Dolphins first loss of the season to bring them to 5-1.
Wk. 8 Sun, Oct 27 vs Arizona 1:00 PM FOX (series 10-3 MIA)
If history is any indication, the Miami Dolphins should be the better team in this matchup. The Cardinals have had the playmakers for years but have lacked identity. If they’re consistent at anything, it’s inconsistency. At home against an often too sloppy Cardinals team should take them to 6-1.
Wk. 9 Sun, Nov 3 at Buffalo 1:00 PM CBS (series 62-58-1 MIA)
Flip the script from week 2 to week 9. At Buffalo, in November, and in a series that the two teams often split the season. Miami leaves Buffalo 6-2.
Wk. 10 Mon, Nov 11 at LA Rams 8:15 PM ESPN (series 12-2 MIA)
The LA Rams need one heck of a comeback season. They’ve been down the past few years but not out. Can OBJ make a stand against his old team assuming he’s healthy at this point in the season? He won his first Super Bowl with LA and Miami could have him on a path to a second. This game won’t be easy and Miami has struggled in prime time games. Still it should be a win 7-2.
Wk. 11 Sun, Nov 17 vs Las Vegas 1:00 PM CBS (series 20-21-1 LVR)
The Raiders are one of seven teams to have a winning record against the Miami Dolphins. Since there’s always one game that goes off the rails every year, throwing a dart at their schedule it will probably be this one leaving Miami at 7-3.
Wk. 12 Sun, Nov 24 vs New England 1:00 PM CBS (series 62-55 MIA)
New England might be the only AFC East team the Dolphins sweep in 2024. As much as New England is probably on the rise and will should some teams up in 2024, it won’t be a quick turnaround. This one will be much closer than expected and Dolphins fans will be on the edge of their seats, but it should be a win 8-3)
Wk. 13 Thu, Nov 28 at Green Bay 8:20 PM NBC (series 10-6 MIA)
The highest paid QB vs the highest paid Dolphins QB is a collision course we’re all waiting to see. Week 13 on Thanksgiving will be a holiday treat that should rival grandma’s apple pie. A cold weather game on the road in Green Bay where tradition makes the stadium electric will spell doom for the Dolphins 8-4.
Wk. 14 Sun, Dec 8 vs NY Jets 1:00 PM CBS (series 60-56-1)
If Aaron Rodgers has his way like the guys at ESPN say he will, this will be a tough one for the Dolphins. New York has been building a stable of talent for years and could be Miami’s toughest opponent of 2024. No one knows if Rodgers will come back and be the same player at his age with an Achilles injury. A nail biter for sure but at this point in the season Miami will need to make a statement and win at home 9-4.
Wk. 15 Sun, Dec 15 at Houston 1:00 PM CBS (series 3-8 HOU)
For whatever reason, the Dolphins just can’t find a way to beat the Houston Texans. They’re a tough AFC opponent on the rise and Miami will continue to struggle against them, especially this late in the season and fall to 9-5.
Wk. 16 Sun, Dec 22 vs San Francisco 4:25 PM CBS (series 8-7 MIA)
If SF loses one of their key receivers in Brandon Aiyuk than it may be a shaky season for them. Mike McDaniel might need to prove himself against his old team as well. While it might not be to the tune of the 70 point beatdown of his other former team, the Denver Broncos, non-conference games this late in the season are just as key and Miami will need to make a playoff push to get to 10-5.
Wk. 17 Sun, Dec 29 at Cleveland 8:20 PM NBC (series 12-9 MIA)
Another cold game on the road late in the season. Wash, rinse, repeat until the Miami Dolphins can prove they can go into opposing team’s houses and come away with wins late in the season, then they’ll forever be on the hook for a late-season collapse and fall to 10-6.
Wk. 18 Sun, Jan 5 at NY Jets TBD (series 60-56-1 MIA
A flex game for sure as both teams need to make that final push, potentially for the division. Rodger Goodell has to love these types of matchups, especially if both teams are doing this well late in the season. Nothing says playoffs like facing a division rival the last game of the season. This could also very well turn into a season-ending matchup that spills over into the first round of the playoffs. Miami doesn’t often sweep AFC East opponents and this time it will be no different falling to 10-7.
The Miami Dolphins are once again facing a backloaded schedule. Their toughest opponents could once again be in the coldest weather games. If they ever want to stop the narratives of not being able to win in the cold or beat good teams, they’ll get an opportunity again this season. An early Bye Week won’t do them any favors if the injury bug crawls its way back into the locker room. However, an early push should solidify their playoff hopes.
