The 2024 NFL season has been horrific for fans of the Miami Dolphins. The club lost their star quarterback to a serious concussion, sits 2-5 in the standings, and just lost a heartbreaker to the Arizona Cardinals. However, if the now healthy club can win against the rival Bills in Week 9, the Miami Dolphins schedule will open the door for them to reemerge as an AFC postseason contender.
The franchise faces an incredibly tough task in Buffalo. The 6-2 Bills already have a stronghold on the AFC East lead. Their offense, which now features five-time Pro-Bowler Amari Cooper, also looks as dangerous as ever. Miami faces a massive hurdle as they seek to avoid falling four games below .500.
Can the Miami Dolphins Schedule help them build momentum and reenter the playoff picture?
Thankfully, the franchise will receive a small break from Weeks 10-12 during the three-game stretch. The Miami Dolphins schedule has them matching up against the Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, and New England Patriots after their battle with Buffalo. The latter two contests will be in their home Hard Rock Stadium.
The Rams
The Rams (3-4) are currently last in a surprisingly poor NFC West. They too have had their fair share of injury concerns, most notably to star pass catchers Cooper Cupp and Puka Nacua. While both of these stars are now back on the field, the Rams poor defense still makes them a beatable opponent.
The combination of veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford combine with the trio of Kupp, Nacua, and star running back Kyren Williams create a formidable offense. However, Miami’s counter of Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane, and company give them more than enough firepower to keep pace. Miami’s advantage in defensive playmakers should make them a favorite in their matchup.
The Raiders
The club also gets a massive break with back-to-back home matchups against the Raiders and Patriots. Las Vegas (2-6) is in a true rebuild and lacks significant playmakers on both sides of the ball. Neither Gardner Minshew nor Aidan O’Connell (currently on IR) have led the Raiders to any real momentum. Now that star receiver Davante Adams has officially been traded away, the Raiders feature only rookie tight end Brock Bowers as a true playmaker.
On the other side of the ball, superstar Maxx Crosby is the only dangerous weapon. If Miami can successfully double-team him, they will be well-positioned to earn a Week 10 victory.
The Patriots
Lastly comes another home tilt against the rival Pats (2-6). While the emergence of rookie signal caller Drake Maye has transformed New England into a chippy matchup (just ask the recently defeated New York Jets), the Dolphins should be a sizable favorite.
Much like the Raiders, New England is in a rebuild under rookie head coach Jarod Mayo. They currently have the league’s second-worst passing offense, a bottom-15 rushing offense, the 11th-worst passing defense, and a bottom-10 rushing defense (all in terms of yards per game).
The Patriots are scrappy. But they still lack a true identity to be legitimate contenders.
The Verdict
If the team can manage to escape Week 9 with a 3-5 record, the Miami Dolphins schedule will provide a true opportunity to go on a four-game win streak and emerge with a 6-5 record. Even if the Fins lose one along the way, they have a real path to be within striking distance of .500 as they enter Week 13.
Miami will have to dig deep to salvage their 2024 season. However, there is a real path to get back on track for a Wild Card spot this season.
Main Photo: [Sam Navarro] – USA Today Sports
