The Miami Dolphins schedule for 2020 is looking to be full of exciting fixtures, as can be seen in the previous article going through the first eight games in 2020 for the Miami Dolphins.
Lets have a look at how the Miami Dolphins will fare in their last eight games of the 2020 season.
Week 9: At The Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have had one of the most exciting off seasons with the addition of Deandre Hopkins who the traded for, much to the annoyance of Houston Texans fans.
The Cardinals also have an exciting quarterback in Kyler Murray as well as an exiting draft pick in Isaiah Simmons. However, Murray is behind a terrible offensive line and their defence still needs alot of work.
If the Cardinals weren’t on a bye week then I would give Miami Dolphins the win but the Cardinals will be fresh off the bye week and they will most likely be able to get the win.
Week 10 and Week 12: Vs The New York Jets
In what will be consecutive games against the New York Jets either side of a week 11 bye week for both teams, i believe the Dolphins have a far better roster than the Jets and a far better head coach.
Miami Dolphins fans will hope the run defence improves in 2020 with the chance to play against Leveon Bell. I think the Jets will leave both games as the losing team. Sam Darnold needs a good season but Josh Doctson and drafted receiver Denzel Mims out wide will both struggle against the Miami Dolphins secondary.
The Jets have no stand out pass rushers and will struggle to get to the Miami quarterback for this reason.
The Miami Dolphins offensive line needs some work, which was addressed in the 2020 draft. Whilst they won’t be a top offensive line in 2020, they will have enough to protect whichever quarterback is starting for the Miami Dolphins.
Week 13: Vs The Cincinnati Bengals
The same logic applies for Miami Dolphins to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals may have a new franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow but the rest of the roster still leaves plenty of questions.
Burrow was drafted first overall by the Bengals and with second round pick Tee Higgins to throw to, Burrow has options along with wideouts AJ Green, John Ross and running back Joe Mixon but their defence is going to be where they lose games in 2020.
Who do the Bengals have on defence that can worry teams?
Not alot.
Miami will get the win here, moving their record to 7-5.
Week 14: Vs The Kansas City Chiefs
This is where the winning run comes to an end for the Miami Dolphins. Kansas City are simply too good on offence. They have the best quarterback in the league and one of the league’s best deep threats in Tyreek Hill.
The Chiefs have the ‘Legion of Zoom’ in Hill, Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle.
As we saw in the play offs last season when the Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl 54, the Chiefs can be down by 10 or 20 points but can still come back and get the win.
In a game where the Chiefs return to the scene of their Super Bowl win at the Hard Rock Stadium, they will simply have too much for the Miami Dolphins.
Even if the Miami Dolphins manage to catch the offense on a bad day, they will have to get past Chris Jones in the defensive line and Tyrann Mathieu, Daniel Sorensen in the secondary. This will simply be a task too much for the Miami Dolphins.
Week 15: Vs The New England Patriots
The Patriots are a hard team to predict for the 2020 season. What is guaranteed is that the Patriots are certainly not going to have the division wrapped up as they often do. This game will have lots of importance in terms of the hunt for the play offs.
I think that the Miami Dolphins will find a win here due to the home advantage. Who knows how Cam Newton’s fitness will play out during the 2020 season. Will he even be fit when these two play in week 15?
The Miami Dolphins have a great recent home record against the Patriots in recent years and i do not expect this to change.
Week 16: At The Las Vegas Raiders
On an 8-6 record heading into their first ever game in Las Vegas, the Miami Dolphins will look to capitalise on the uncertainty at quarterback.
Marcus Mariota has been brought in to put some pressure on Derek Carr and could easily be the quarterback should Carr start the season slowly.
Neither quarterback is of elite level and the Miami Dolphins should find a win here to move to 9-6.
They also lack elite defensive options with 2019 rookie Maxx Crosby their only real defensive threat.
Week 17: At The Buffalo Bills
This will be where the 9-6 record turns to 9-7. The Bills will be looking to potentially clinch the division over either the Miami Dolphins or New England Patriots.
The Bills Mafia will be in full voice should they be allowed in the stadium and the Bills will also use the excellent coaching of Sean McDermott to pull them through and get the win.
The Bills’ roster is more capable at this present time and they have more of a chance than the Miami Dolphins in winning the AFC East.
The Dolphins 9-7 record in my opinion will get them to the play offs.
My opinion should be taken with a pinch of salt. Home advantage may not be a factor as we have seen in English Football since the sport restarted but the travelling may take its toll and give teams back home advantage.
I am an optimistic fan who backs Miami Dolphins to make the play offs but there are unfortunately teams way more advanced and with stronger rosters.
I have confidence that our potential can lead us to games such as the AFC Championship with the head coaching ability of Brian Flores and the team togetherness we saw in the back end of the 2019 season.
However, i do believe we would need to catch some luck along the way and catch teams on an off day to advance anywhere past the wildcard round. No matter what happens in the 2020 season, the future is bright in South Beach.
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