Dolphins’ 2009 schedule daunting at first glance

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Sunday, April 19, 2009  |  Comments( 3 )

Miami Dolphins
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!

The Miami Dolphins experienced a historic turnaround last season, improving to 11-5 after a 1-15 embarrassment. The NFL rewarded the Dolphins’ restored success with arguably the toughest schedule of 2009.

While the Dolphins lack star appeal, they’ll be featured on national television multiple times in 2009. Miami will play twice on "Monday Night Football," and it could have two more contests on Sunday night. The Sunday night games are part of the league's flex schedule and can be changed during the season.

On the surface, the Dolphins’ schedule looks incredibly challenging with virtually no breaks in the 16-game regular season. With the AFC East as strong as ever, Miami’s divisional contests will be extremely important, particularly with an intimidating non-division schedule.

Road games against the San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans highlight the Dolphins’ out-of-division opponents. In addition, home outings against the New Orleans Saints and Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers will pose difficult tasks.

Miami will also have its hands full when welcoming the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to South Florida. As of now, the team's most winnable game on the schedule comes in Week 16 against the Houston Texans. However, the Texans are an up-and-coming team that could be on the verge of a breakout season.

One positive resulting from the newly released schedule is the lack of West Coast road trips. After a Week 3 matchup in San Diego, Miami won’t be required to venture west of the Mississippi River during the entire 2009 campaign.

While the Dolphins’ fan base is recharged after last season’s playoff berth, reality may set in during the upcoming year. A difficult schedule with newly found expectations could hamper Miami’s development and lead to disappointment across South Florida.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (3)

About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To ...
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report