The Miami Dolphins’ schedule has been released for the 2021 season.

2021 will see the first 17 game regular season in NFL history. Can Miami improve on their 10-6 record from 2020?

Week 1: at the New England Patriots

Just as the Dolphins last season, they travel to New England in Week One.

The Dolphins lost in last season’s opener and will hope lightning doesn’t strike twice. They may have troubled the Patriots over the last few seasons in Miami but have only won once in New England during the past twelve seasons.

It has not been confirmed by the Patriots who will be their starting quarterback. Fifteenth overall pick Mac Jones is likely to be initially a backup to Cam Newton.

The former Carolina Panthers quarterback caused the Dolphins issues in Week One last season but gradually declined as the season went on. The Dolphins and head coach Brian Flores will hope that the Dolphins get the Newton we saw in Miami rather than the one we saw in New England.

New England has new weapons on both sides of the ball, with many of their defensive players back after missing last season, including former Dolphin Kyle Van Noy, who spent just one season in Miami.

This is going to be a tough afternoon for Miami. However, the Dolphins can pounce on a declining Newton and allow their defense to win them this game.

Prediction: Dolphins Win

Week 2: vs the Buffalo Bills

Buffalo is one of the best teams in the entire NFL. The Bills, who won the AFC East last season for the first time since the 1995 season, went all the way to the AFC Championship game.

They have addressed their needs in the draft and will most likely give Miami further trouble.

Josh Allen is 5-1 as a starter against Miami, and he will likely make it 6-1 in week two.

Prediction: Buffalo Win

Week 3: at the Las Vegas Raiders

This was one of the games of last season. Ryan Fitzpatrick’s throw to Mack Hollins despite the face mask allowed Jason Sanders to kick the winning field goal.

Both teams had issues in last seasons’ meeting. Tua Tagovailoa was benched for Fitzpatrick, and the Raiders secondary had issues in this game and all season.

Miami has given Tua help in Jaylen Waddle and Will Fuller, and the Raiders addressed their secondary in the draft, with four of their seven draft picks either safety or cornerback.

Both teams have strong reasons to believe they can win this game, and this matchup could once again go down to a winning field goal.

Prediction: Raiders Win

Week 4: vs the Indianapolis Colts

The Colts narrowly missed out on winning the AFC South last season and have improved in the offseason with the addition of quarterback Carson Wentz.

Indianapolis’ running back Jonathan Taylor showed his true potential at the end of the season and will go into the 2021 season as the lead back.

Miami has struggled to stop the run in recent years, and Taylor has the potential to run riot.

With Wentz and head coach Frank Reich reunited, Indianapolis is the biggest Super Bowl contender no one is talking about. This could be one of Miami’s toughest games all season.

Prediction: Colts Win

Week 5: at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Talking of tough games, this is probably Miami’s hardest task in 2021.

The Super Bowl champions have brought back all of their starters that won them a ring last season.

There is a very slim chance of a Miami victory with the offense and linebacker core at Tampa Bay’s disposal. Only an injury crisis similar to the one we saw with the 49ers last season will allow the Dolphins to have a chance of victory in this game.

Prediction: Buccaneers Win

Week 6: at the Jacksonville Jaguars (in London)

For the first time since 2017, Miami will travel across the pond for London’s International Series.

One of Miami’s best performances last season came on the road against the Jags in week 3. However, there has been plenty of change for the Jaguars.

They drafted quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick, putting an end to cult hero Gardner Minshew’s time as a starter. Successful college head coach Urban Meyer is now in charge of the Jaguars, and Lawrence has been reunited with his running back at Clemson, Travis Etienne.

Despite the Jags being London’s team, they only have a 3-4 record in the English capital.

Prediction: Dolphins Win

Week 7: vs the Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta will also spend time across the pond in 2021, playing against the New York Jets seven days before Miami takes on Jacksonville.

The Falcons have an exciting offense going into 2021, taking Florida tight end Kyle Pitts with the fourth overall pick. He will go straight into an offense with quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receivers Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.

This can give Miami a few issues, and they will need the secondary to be at their best. Atlanta addressed the defense in the draft, but this won’t be enough. There are still more glaring issues for the Falcons to fix, and Miami can take home the W in week 7.

Prediction: Dolphins Win

Week 8: at the Buffalo Bills

After back to back wins, Miami will see defeat in Buffalo.

On a Halloween night, the Bills will cause Miami a fright. The defensive ends Buffalo took with their first two picks will be further in their development since the Week Two game and can play a big role in getting to Tua.

Prediction: Bills Win

Week 9: vs the Houston Texans

Nobody knows what will happen with Deshaun Watson, whether he is first of all allowed to play in the league and whether he will be a Houston Texan.

If Watson does not start under center for Houston, this has the potential to be the Dolphins’ easiest game of the season, considering the Texans went 4-12 despite Watson’s best season statistically.

With a new head coach, nobody yet knows how David Culley will perform. Unfortunately, there is plenty of uncertainty with this franchise.

Prediction: Dolphins Win

This would leave Miami on a 4-5 record going into the second half of the season, meaning they’d face an important run down the stretch.