Miami Dolphins: Complete 2011 Season Schedule Preview
The Miami Dolphins had a very disappointing season last year, finishing with a 7-9 record and missing the playoffs for the second season in a row.
This year, they hope to get off to a better start and have much better results with an improved team. Playoff expectations aren't exactly high in Miami, but many fans do expect a successful season.
With a difficult season ahead, here is your Miami Dolphins schedule breakdown for the 2011 season.
September 12 vs New England Patriots 7:00 PM (ESPN)
1 of 16
Miami Dolphins leads the series (50-41)
The Dolphins and Patriots open up on Monday night in what should not be a disappointing match up. The Dolphins' tough defense has to show up in order for Miami to have a chance in this game. These two teams usually play close, well fought games against each other, but last year wasn't the case.
New England destroyed Miami 41-14 on Monday night and 38-17 in a meeting that was over before it started. Let's hope this Monday night game is a lot like the one in 2004, where Miami won 29-28 in a thriller.
September 18 vs Houston Texans 4:15 PM
2 of 16
Houston Texans lead the series (5-0)
The Houston Texans are the only team the Miami Dolphins have not defeated at least once. Miami has lost all five games by a margin of victory of no more than seven points. In fact, all five of the Texans wins have been by a combined 14 points.
This is a game that will feature two of the most dominant wide receivers in the league in Miami's Brandon Marshall and Houston's Andre Johnson.
Will this be the year Miami is able to close a game out against Houston?
September 25 at Cleveland Browns 1:00 PM
3 of 16
Miami leads the series (9-7)
Miami would have defeated the Browns last season if it wasn't for foolish mistakes. Instead, they lost 13-10 in a loss that was probably the most frustrating of them all last year. This time, Miami travels to Cleveland to take on Madden cover boy Peyton Hillis and the Browns.
That will be the key to victory for Miami, stopping the run and pressuring young Colt McCoy.
The Dolphins have lost the last three games against the Browns; this game should end that streak.
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October 2 at San Diego Chargers 4:15 PM
4 of 16
Miami leads the series (14-13)
Miami has dominated the series as of late, winning seven of the last eight against the Chargers. This game should be hard fought and will be a key match up of San Diego's offense against Miami's defense.
The question is, will Chad Henne be able to play well enough to keep up with the Chargers offensive attack?
October 17 at New York Jets 8:30 PM ESPN
5 of 16
New York Jets leads the series (47-43-1)
The Dolphins stay on the road for the third straight week but get a week off before heading to New York to take on the hated Jets. Once again, Miami plays a division rival on Monday night, and when these two teams meet, you can expect a classic game.
This should be a defensive blood bath, as both teams will struggle to score. There is no love lost between either of these teams.
October 23 vs Denver Broncos 1:00 PM
6 of 16
Dolphins lead the series (11-4-1)
As you can see, the Dolphins have owned the Broncos in the past, and this game may be no different. The Broncos are in rebuilding mode, have a new head coach and are struggling to decide who their starting quarterback is going to be.
The main storyline heading into this game will be wide receiver Brandon Marshall and the revenge factor. Although he had a productive career over there, they did not split up on the best of terms. You can bet Marshall will be out to stick it to his former team and help earn the Dolphins a victory.
October 30 at New York Giants 1:00 PM
7 of 16
Giants lead the series (2-4)
The Dolphins trail in the series, but the two games they have won against the Giants have been in New York. The Giants have the wide receiver depth, defensive speed and a better quarterback to give the Dolphins a scare.
Once again, in order for the Dolphins to win this game, they will have to get production of of quarterback Chad Henne.
The last time these two teams met, it was a sloppy, ugly game at Wembley Stadium. Let's hope this game is better.
November 6 at Kansas City Chiefs 1:00 PM
8 of 16
Dolphins lead the series (15-12)
Traveling to Arrowhead Stadium and leaving with a win is never an easy thing to do. Especially when that team has improved and has fast playmakers that can take it the distance every time they touch the ball.
Stopping the running game is going to be the number task, as the Chiefs had the number one ground game led by Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. Miami has to also limit the big plays and force Matt Cassel to beat them with him arm.
This game should be exciting.
November 13 vs Washington Redskins 1:00 PM
9 of 16
Miami leads the series (7-5)
This could be an interesting game. As of right now, the Redskins have no idea who their starting quarterback is going to be. Rumor has it that it's going to be former Miami Dolphins quarterback John Beck.
Beck accomplished absolutely nothing as a Dolphin but could have some revenge on his mind since he was cut by the team.
Regardless, this is a game the Dolphins must win and have to win if they expect to be a playoff caliber team.
November 20 vs Buffalo Bills 1:00 PM
10 of 16
Miami Dolphins leads the series (54-39-1)
This is a trap game. Despite the fact that the Dolphins lead the series and it is the Bills, Miami has kind of struggled against them the last few years. Miami also can't get caught looking ahead to the Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys.
This is another game Miami should win and can't let slip away like they did last season.
November 24 at Dallas Cowboys 4:15 PM
11 of 16
Miami leads the series (7-5)
Miami Dolphins vs the Dallas Cowboys in Jerry's world on Thanksgiving. Does it get much better than that?
The last time these two teams met on Thanksgiving, the Dolphins gave them a 40-21 beat down, but that was eight years ago. Completely different teams now, but the fireworks should be the same. Dallas has a terrible secondary, which should help Miami stay in this game and result in a nail biter.
Food and football; can't wait.
December 4 vs Oakland Raiders 1:00 PM
12 of 16
Oakland leads the series (19-14-1)
The Oakland Raiders are a team that is on the rise, and playoff expectations are high in Oakland.
Good news for Dolphins fans is they completely controlled the game against the Raiders last season in 33-17 romp. The Raiders are going to come in and want to run the ball, but Miami ranked seventh in stopping the run last season.
This game will be tough, but Miami has already shown they can win.
December 11 vs Philadelphia Eagles 1:00 PM
13 of 16
Miami leads the series (7-5)
The Dolphins have lost the last two games against the Eagles, and this game could very well make it three. Do the Dolphins have enough offense to keep up with a high scoring and flashy offense of the Eagles?
Miami's defense is good, but Michael Vick and company have carved up good defenses before. It will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Mike Nolan plans to attack Michael Vick.
It won't be easy, but certainty fun to watch.
December 18 at Buffalo Bills 1:00 PM
14 of 16
Miami Dolphins leads the series (54-39-1)
A December game against the Buffalo Bills in Ralph Wilson Stadium is always a tough game to play for the opposing team with the gusty winds and cold weather, especially for a team that is from South Florida and notoriously struggles playing in the cold.
In order to get the win, Miami will have to stop the run. In Buffalo, the Bills like to play conservative, control the game and only throw the ball when they have to. The Dolphins are the more talented team, but the home field advantage plays a huge factor in this game.
December 24 at New England Patriots 1:00 PM
15 of 16
Miami Dolphins leads the series (50-41)
Back to back cold weather games against division opponents. The Dolphins and Patriots meet again, this time on Christmas Eve. The Dolphins have lost six of their last eight games in New England.
This Dolphins have shown they can beat the Patriots but have also shown they can be destroyed by them. Which team shows up?
Hopefully Santa is good to South Florida and the Dolphins somehow manage to get a victory in Foxboro.
January 1 vs New York Jets 1:00 PM
16 of 16
New York Jets leads the series (47-43-1)
Where will the Dolphins be in the standings when these two teams meet? The last time these two teams met on the last game of the season, the winner won the division and moved on to the playoffs. Can the same situation happen again?
Regardless of where Miami is heading into the last game of the season, Miami fans do not want a loss to the hated Jets to be there last vision of the season.
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