Breaking down the first month of the 2019 Miami Dolphins schedule
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins know their schedule and the first month, while be played primarily at home is not going to be an easy start to the season.
When the schedule is released the Miami Dolphins typically will want to know a few things right off the top. Who they start the season with, who they end the season with, and what are the primetime games.
Each comes with their own set of obstacles for preparation purposes. At the start of the season, as Charlie Weiss pointed out today on “Opening Drive” on SiriusXM NFL Radio, there is only pre-season and a game or two of tape on a team at the beginning.
For the Dolphins this year, their first months opponents will present more than just a tape challenge.
The Dolphins will open at home against the Ravens. The Ravens have had the Dolphins number in recent years so it is not a cake walk by any stretch. Miami will have to be well prepared out of the gate and hope that the Ravens wither in the hot sun.
In week two Brian Flores gets to face his old team the Patriots. Traditionally the Patriots and Tom Brady struggle in Miami and yes the heat is always a factor for Brady. The Patriots however have a bad taste in their mouth after last years “miracle” finish.
Miami hits the road in week three to face the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are expected to challenge for the NFC East again this year and they have made some big moves to get the team in position to run deep into the post-season. Robert Quinn will get a chance to get back at Miami for trading him as well.
The Dolphins return home to face the Chargers. The long trip from L.A. to Miami is not going to be easy for the Chargers who have struggled on those long trips and the heat of South Florida but the Chargers are pushing upwards in the AFC West and they are expected to challenge for the division.
Overall the first four games are good for the Dolphins in terms of location. They will play three of the four at home. The Dolphins will then have their bye week before staying home for a 4th game against the Redskins to kick off the 2nd quarter of the season.
Four of five games to start the season is great but it also means that they have only four more home games the rest of the season. While the hometown heat will be an advantage, the Dolphins may not come out of this early stretch with more than one win.