Fansided

Miami Dolphins 2020 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

By Matt Conner

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 08: Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores on the sidelines during the NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on September 8, 2019. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 08: Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores on the sidelines during the NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on September 8, 2019. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 throws a touchdown pass to tight end Dan Arnold #82 of the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 29: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 throws a touchdown pass to tight end Dan Arnold #82 of the Arizona Cardinals in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Away: Arizona Cardinals

Outside of the divisional games for the Miami Dolphins this year, there’s a pretty clear delineation for the team between games expected to win and lose. To be certain, the Dolphins play a very tough slate in 2020 with games against each of last year’s Super Bowl participants (the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs) as well as the chance to host the L.A. Rams and Seattle Seahawks. They also face the entire AFC West.

The one team that seems like a real lock of the antlers is the matchup on the road at the Arizona Cardinals. The Cards were basically Miami West last year, a feisty last-place team that served up some very competitive games while simultaneously finishing last in the division (NFC West). Given Kyler Murray‘s year of experience, the Cardinals have reason to believe that they will be even better next year.

The Cardinals deserve serious credit for making two major imports this offseason so far, including the NFL’s single biggest offensive gain in their trade for DeAndre Hopkins. Murray now has a frontline receiver to whom he can turn, and Kenyan Drake is back after a stellar stretch run with the team at running back. Kliff Kingsbury is heralded for his offensive mind, and the Cards will be fun to watch on that side of the ball.

This showdown will prove which of last year’s last place teams are truly ready to stand up to the rest of the NFL. Can Flores’ defensive unit gel quickly enough with the new talent to slow the Cards? Can a new quarterback help them keep pace with the better offensive units? This game will be a true measure of how far they’ve come.

Home/NFL Schedule