The NFL finally released the upcoming schedule for every team. For months we’ve known who would play who, but not when. Now we know exactly when teams will face off, and fans can start making their win-loss predictions. I won’t make a prediction at this point, but I will break down the Miami Dolphins 2023 schedule. Here is a key storyline for each game.
Dolphins won’t face anyone coming off a bye this season https://t.co/QW2XQk1oqw
— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) May 12, 2023
Week 1 at Los Angeles Chargers
The best time for a cross-country trip is the first game of the year. The team can get out there early to avoid jet lag. Last year this game was arguably Tua’s worst of the season, completing less than 40 percent of his passes and throwing for under 150 yards. Meanwhile, it was one of Herbert’s better games of the year. He completed 76 percent of his passes while throwing for over 360 yards without a turnover. This will be the league’s first time seeing the Jalen Ramsey-led Dolphins defense under Vic Fangio. I doubt either quarterback has a repeat performance this time around.
Week 2 at New England Patriots (Sunday Night Football)
Last year these two teams split the season series, with both teams winning on their home field. The Dolphins’ loss came with Skylar Thompson and Teddy Bridgewater taking the snaps. Tua is 4-0 against the Patriots during his career. We’ll get to see on primetime if Tua can continue his dominance over the division foe and his former backup at Alabama.
Week 3 vs Denver Broncos
The Dolphins’ home opener comes against none other than new Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s former team. Fangio was the head coach of the Broncos from 2019-2021 before being fired. The Dolphins’ defense will face a Broncos offense that struggled mightily last year but is now under the guidance of new Head Coach Sean Payton. This will be a faceoff between two likely future Hall of Fame coaches in Payton and Fangio who are viewed as masters of their side of the ball.
Week 4 at Buffalo Bills
Last year these two teams played three games (including the playoffs) with the combined score differential being eight points. The Bills will come into the season looking for their fourth straight division title while the Dolphins look for their first division title since 2008. This game will likely go a long way in determining which team comes out on top at the end of the year.
Week 5 vs New York Giants
Brian Daboll was a hot candidate during the head coach hiring process last off-season. The Dolphins had an interest in him before he ultimately picked the Giants. Daboll won Coach of the Year, but the Dolphins had success of their own under Mike McDaniel as they reached the playoffs behind a top-10 offense. This will be the first time the Dolphins get a look at the Daboll-led Giants. Daboll’s offenses had a lot of success against Miami during his tenure as Offensive Coordinator for the Buffalo Bills from 2018-2021.
Week 6 vs Carolina Panthers
This will be Miami’s first look at rookie Quarterback and first-overall pick Bryce Young. Young won the Heisman last year at Alabama, but he should have his hands full against a defense that should be one of the better defenses at least on paper.
Week 7 at Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday Night Football)
Another primetime matchup, this time against the defending NFC champions. Last year the two teams matched up in the offseason during camp with the Dolphins’ offense reportedly having their way against what would end up being one of the best defenses in the league. This is an Alabama QB-WR duo matchup with Tua and Jaylen Waddle facing off against former teammates Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith. Both teams have high aspirations, and this has a chance to be an early game-of-the-year candidate.
Week 8 vs New England Patriots
It is hard to consider a division game as a potential trap game, but this game has the makings of just that. Coming off a primetime game against the Eagles, Miami will be home to faceoff for the second time against the Patriots before hitting the road for a trip to Germany. Miami will have to try to avoid the momentum letdown coming from a Sunday Night game and overlooking their opponent before heading to Germany to face the defending champions.
Week 9 at Kansas City Chiefs (Germany)
Guten Tag. Miami will get the defending Super Bowl Champions in Germany. Miami was fortunate enough to avoid the trip to Arrowhead, although it feels like the schedule makers missed a ratings masterpiece with Tyreek Hill’s return. Hill has been looking forward to this matchup since leaving Kansas City. The last time these two teams met, Tua and Patrick Mahomes combined for 709 yards and 4 touchdowns in the Chiefs’ 33-27 win. Hopefully, this time around is just as exciting.
Pack your bags, we’re going to Germany! ??
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 10, 2023
Dolphins vs. Chiefs coming at you live from Frankfurt this November! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/EQubZk1yZZ
Week 10 Bye
Week 11 vs Las Vegas Raiders
The Jimmy Garoppolo-led Raiders will travel to Miami for the first time. The last three times Garoppolo has faced Miami, he has gotten injured. Miami will be well rested coming off of the bye, while the Raiders will have to travel cross country after a home Sunday Night game against the Jets. This should be a physical mismatch in that regard. Look for Miami to come out fast right out of the gates.
Week 12 at New York Jets (Black Friday)
The NFL’s first Black Friday game will feature long-time division rivals, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets. Both teams have lofty goals this year after the Jets added Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. This will be Miami’s first look at the Jets with Rodgers, and it will be a short week for both. History favors the home team in this situation.
Week 13 at Washington Commanders
On paper, this matchup should heavily favor the Dolphins. As of now it’s uncertain who the Commanders quarterback will be to start the season. However, this could be another potential trap game for the Dolphins. They will be coming off a likely emotional game against the Jets the week before and will have a Monday Night Football matchup against the Titans coming up. Miami will have to stay focused and take care of business against what should be a lesser opponent.
Week 14 vs Tennessee Titans (Monday Night Football)
Miami will welcome former quarterback Ryan Tannehill (maybe?) in this primetime matchup. This could be a game where both Tannehill and star running back Derrick Henry are gone, as both have been rumored in trade discussions. This will also be Miami’s only primetime game at home. Look for Miami to look for revenge against the team that ended their playoff hopes two seasons ago.
Week 15 vs New York Jets
This is the second matchup between the division foes. Last year the two teams split the season series with both teams winning on their respective home fields. Both teams will be looking to try and hurt the other’s playoff hopes.
Week 16 vs Dallas Cowboys
Last Christmas the Dolphins season took a huge blow as Tua suffered another concussion that ended his season. This year the Dolphins will welcome the Cowboys to town on Christmas Eve. The Cowboys are always a big draw, and this could be the game of the day for ratings especially if both teams are near the top of their respective divisions.
Week 17 at Baltimore Ravens
Last year this game was the highlight of the Dolphins’ season and Tua’s career. Tua threw for six touchdowns as the Dolphins came back from a 35-14 deficit to win. Baltimore will have revenge on their mind at home for this New Year’s Eve matchup. This will also likely be Miami’s lone cold-weather regular season game. Miami should have their hands full.
Tua's 6 Touchdowns against the Ravens today tie Dan Marino and Bob Griese for most Touchdown passes in a game in Dolphins history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 18, 2022
Tua also becomes the second youngest player since 1950 to throw for at least 450 pass yards and 6 TDs, behind only Patrick Mahomes. pic.twitter.com/xeQxfCDMs9
Week 18 vs Buffalo Bills
The Bills have ended two of the last three seasons for the Dolphins. Once in the regular season and once in the playoffs. If things go as expected, this may not be the season’s final game for either team, but it may be the deciding factor for who wins the division. If that is the case, this game can be flexed into a primetime slot.
The Miami Dolphins 2023 schedule doesn’t appear too daunting prior to the season. They have most of their tough opponents at home, and they get their lone west coast trip out of the way in Week 1. Here’s to hoping they can finally win the division again for the first time since 2008.
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