5 important Miami Dolphins games in 2015

Aug 28, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; A New England Patriots lays on the field prior to the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

OCTOBER 29th New England Patriots in Foxboro

The Dolphins could very well be 6-0 before they face their biggest division rival. Starting the season un-defeated will not be easy regardless of they play but a strong start would set up a huge game against the Patriots. If the Tom Brady suspension holds, the Dolphins will face Brady who will be in his third game back and the team could be hitting on all cylinders.

Brady however is not what makes this game tough. It’s the location. The Dolphins will get to face the Patriots up north before the weather begins to get bad which means it’s a prime opportunity to take a win back home with them. The Dolphins always face tough games in Foxboro and this year will be no different.

You have to go all the way back to 2008 for a Miami victory at New England. The Dolphins that year rolled out the “Wild Cat” offense in that game and the Patriots were without Brady who had been place on IR with a knee injury. The Dolphins would win the division that season but they would win on a tie-breaker with the Patriots.

Beating the Patriots in the first match-up between teams could catapult the Dolphins into a new mindset. Confidence is something that drives teams to play harder. If the Dolphins enter this contest with a 6-0 or a 5-1 record the Dolphins will still likely remain underdogs as the Patriots are the first big challenge of their season. The importance of this game can’t be measure in words. The Dolphins will later face the Patriots in the final weekend of the season and it’s very well possible that this game could have huge implications in divisional tie-breaker rules.

This game could give the Dolphins a small cushion as they head towards the 2nd half of the season.