Miami Dolphins: From Brady to Vick, a Look at Their 2011 Schedule
The NFL released their 2011 schedule today.
While it is the rebuilding Carolina Panthers who will have the toughest schedule next season, the Dolphins have a pretty tough road ahead as well.
Being in the AFC East with the Patriots and Jets is tough enough as it is; however, the Dolphins also have to play against the NFC East, which have a division winner in Philadelphia, a fringe playoff team from last season in the Giants, and the Cowboys, who many said underachieved last year and is always a scary threat.
Here's a game by game look at the Dolphins in 2011.*
*Remember, due to the lockout some, maybe all of these games might not be played, and after seeing the schedule, many Dolphins fans might pray for a prolonged lockout.
Week One: Vs. New England (September 12 7pm ESPN)
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Usually, one would think that to begin the season the NFL would want to showcase their best competing against each other on the first Monday Night.
Instead, it looks like one of their best will be able to showcase themselves against a weaker opponent.
While I wish that I were writing about the Dolphins being one of the NFL's best, instead I'm writing about the New England Patriots.
In pro wrestling, they use a term called "jobber." A jobber's main job is to lose to their opponent in order to make them look stronger.
For week one, it looks like the NFL expects the Miami Dolphins to be the jobbers to the New England Patriots.
Week Two: Vs. Houston (September 18 4:15pm CBS)
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The Dolphins haven't recorded a victory over the Houston Texans since, well, ever.
Houston is 5-0 against the Miami Dolphins; however, all five victories have been one-score games.
This game should be a good one. The Dolphins expect to have an improved defense next year (that's the only thing I can count on, at least) and a matchup between the Texans' receiving corps and the Dolphins' secondary should be a good one.
However, the Dolphins offense is a problem. But unlike with New England, the Texans defense is a porous one that tends to allow too many points at the wrong time.
Plus, the Dolphins are due against Houston, right?
Week Three: At Cleveland (September 25 1:00pm CBS)
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For new Dolphins offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, this is a homecoming of sorts.
The last time Miami won in Cleveland, Bill Bellichick was their head coach and Art Modell was their owner.
Last year, the Dolphins were able to shut down the Browns offense (not that it was that hard, the Browns were one of the few teams to have a worse offense than the Dolphins, and naturally, we hired their offensive coordinator) yet still managed to lose 13-10.
Will the results be different this year? I say no, Colt McCoy will break out in 2011.
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Week Four: At San Diego (October 2nd 4:15pm CBS)
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There have been few teams that the Dolphins could claim success against over the last 10 years. The Chargers just happen to be one of them.
While yes, the last time the two teams played the Chargers won, prior to that the Dolphins had won eight straight meetings dating back to 1995.
Both teams go in to 2011 as question marks, though; what will this game show?
Week Five: Bye Week
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Best case scenario: The Dolphins enter the bye at 3-1. I don't think they beat New England on Opening Night, but their next three games are very winnable for this team.
(However, if they do beat New England on Opening Night, for some reason I see them blowing it against Houston. That's how this team seems to operate.)
However, as you will see, the possible road to Indianapolis will get tougher.
Week Six: At New York Jets (October 17 8:30pm ESPN)
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When the Dolphins play the Jets, throw the records out, because anything can happen.
Last year, these two teams played games that were complete opposite of one another.
The first one was a great shootout won by the Jets in Miami.
The second one was an offensive slopfest won by the Dolphins in the Meadowlands.
To predict this game six minutes before kickoff is impossible, six months before kickoff would be even tougher.
I'll explain when we get to the next Dolphins vs. Jets game.
Week Seven: Vs. Denver Broncos (October 23 1pm CBS)
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Now unlike the rest of the state of Florida, Tebow has never been really popular around these parts. After all, he was a Gator, and this is Hurricanes country.
However, the last time Tebow visited Sun Life Stadium, he left with a National Championship.
But the Dolphins defense hopes to stop him this time around.
Also of note, this is Brandon Marshall's first game against his former team. While the regime that traded him isn't in charge anymore, he still might want to show Denver why they should have kept him.
Week Eight: At New York Giants (October 30 1pm CBS)
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For the second time in 14 days, the Dolphins will visit the Meadowlands, only instead of the hated Jets, they'll play the Giants.
Last time these two teams met, the Giants were on their way to a Super Bowl, while the Dolphins were on their way to selecting Jake Long first overall.
Usually a lot changes in four years, but the most pessimistic of Dolphins fans will tell you that really not much has changed.
Either way, this should be a matchup of two of the best pass rushing defenses in the NFL.
Week Nine: At Kansas City (November 6 1pm CBS)
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The Chiefs were the surprise of the NFL last season.
I look at last season as the first of many good seasons upcoming for this team.
Plus, Arrowhead is always one of the toughest places to play, regardless of the Chiefs record.
This will no doubt be a tough one for the Dolphins, and most likely their toughest non-division road game of the year.
Week Ten: Vs. Washington (November 13 1pm FOX)
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In the 1970s and '80s, this would've been a highly anticipated game between two traditional NFL powers.
In 2011, it's most likely a game you will only watch for fantasy purposes if you're not a fan of either team.
Both teams enter 2011 with question marks, but you could've said that about any year for both of these teams.
It should be a close field-goal battle, which is exactly how Sparano likes it.
Week Eleven: Vs. Buffalo (November 20 1pm CBS)
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I hate saying this but, I think the Bills will catch up with the Dolphins this season. There will be a battle to get out of the AFC East cellar.
Week Twelve: At. Dallas (November 24 4:15pm CBS)
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Both teams underachieved last year.
For the Dolphins, it was because Henne's development didn't go as expected, and the coaching staff thought for some reason that Field Goals were better than Touchdowns.
Will this be a Thanksgiving day treat for the Phins, or will the Cowboys have a Thanksgiving Feast on Miami?
Week Thirteen: Vs. Oakland (December 4 1pm CBS)
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Last year, the Dolphins went into Oakland and manhandled the Raiders, despite the absence of Brandon Marshall for that game.
This year, the Raiders come east to Miami. The Raiders look to be an improved team, however after more upheaval and another new head coach, how will a Raiders team that showed glimpses of promise last season (including a 6-0 record against the rest of the AFC West last year) react to all of the change, which in Oakland is the only thing other than Al Davis that's been constant.
Week Fourteen: Vs. Philadelphia (December 11 1pm FOX)
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If there's one thing I can see, it's the Dolphins pass rush (mainly Cameron Wake) making Mike Vick's job difficult.
Other than that, this is one of those games that you dread seeing on your schedule.
Week Fifteen: At Buffalo (December 18 1pm CBS)
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Sinking feeling: Dolphins in contention for a playoff bid, then lose to Buffalo late in the season.
Will history repeat itself?
Week Sixteen: At New England (December 24 1pm CBS)
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Its almost as if the NFL is trying to ruin Christmas in Miami.
In all seriousness, the Dolphins will play back-to-back cold weather games. This doesn't look good, now does it?
Week Seventeen: Vs. New York Jets (January 1st 2012 1pm CBS)
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Dream scenario for this game: Dolphins vs. Jets, playoff bid on the line, Dolphins win.
Again, always throw out records when these two play. ALWAYS. I'm tempted to say that the winner of their first game will lose this game because that's always how it seems to work.
But, while it doesn't look too good for the Dolphins this season, if they end it by keeping the Jets out of the playoffs, then I'll at least have a smile on my face.
Now let's get a g-d snack!
Thomas Galicia is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist. Follow him on twitter @thomasgalicia. For more of his opinions on other subjects, visit www.thomasgalicia.com.
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