HOME: New England, Jets, Buffalo, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and the AFC West opponent that finishes in the same position as the Dolphins in the AFC East (either KC or SD). AWAY: New England, Jets, Buffalo, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, the AFC North opponent that finishes in the same position as the Dolphins in the AFC East (probably Cleveland). Sad part is that from a home schedule wise, to put butts in seats, there is not one attractive game outside of the division rivals. Not good. Still, it is a schedule that is set up for success.
True, but it is still a pretty favorable schedule all things considered. None of the powerhouse NFL teams on there outside of New England. Facing the AFC & NFC West is about as nice of a schedule as one could ask for. No Packers or Bears. No Saints. No Giants or Eagles or Cowboys. No Steelers or Ravens. Nice.
Colts with Manning are much better, 49ers are a very good team, Texan's are very good, you could see the Texan's and the 49ers as the new powerhouses over the next few years.
Yeah, yeah, everyone always says "you never know who will be good/bad next year" or "everyone's always tough". Bottom line: It's a good schedule all things considered.
Never underestimate the chances of a team that plays hard nosed defense and can disrupt the QB.. I'm pretty sure Green Bay coasts the NFC, but we've seen juggernauts like Green Bay lose in the playoffs to hungry teams that are aggressive on D..
Also bear in mind that even though the schedule appears easier, it's not much different relative to everyone else in the division. So while the Patriots, Jets and perhaps Bills might have schedules that are slightly more difficult due to their position in the standings, the difference may not turn out to be much, and unless one or more of those teams crap out next season it may not wind up making a playoff run much easier.
Many thought this year's schedule was a juggernaut, but it's been hardly the case. The NFC East is really weak, and if Miami beats Philadelphia, then they can look at that division at the end of the year and feel like they should have swept them all. The AFC West has been much weaker than expected, with San Diego & KC crapping the bed. So, it's really a crap shoot. So many things to play out, offseason movement, injuries, HC changes, etc. A few things I will say are this. In terms of getting people to their seats, when we had that same schedule in 2008 and we were winning, we had no problem getting people into the seats. We went to the Seahawks game in 2008 and it was packed and wild. People want to pick on Seattle and Arizona, but they've both won 4/5 here lately, also and are only 2 games out of the WC. Had it not been for an absolute collapse by the Seahawks against the Redskins, they'd be 6-6, while being QB'd by Tarvaris Jackson & Charlie Whitehurtst. No one thinks they could be on the upswing, with say a trade up for Matt Barkley or a QB? KC or SD could bounce back next year with guys back from injuries and HC changes. So, again, you never know.
Exactly. In the past I've bitten on this "easy schedule next year" BS. Not gonna happen anymore. Year to year ...hell, week to week ... you just never freakin' know.
True. But I have to argue: How many times have the Dolphins choked, especially in recent years, against teams that we should have beaten...easily? I just can't bring myself to take anything for granted bro. For quite a while now, the Dolphins have found various ways to crap on any expectations I've had for them.