The NFL released its 2010 schedule Tuesday, and it’s looking pretty good for the Miami Dolphins, provided they start the season strong.
The season, which opens Sept. 12 in Buffalo, includes eight games against teams that went to the playoffs last year. But only two of those are in the second half of the season. As a result, a good first half of the season could set the Dolphins up for a playoff run.
In terms of travel distance, this schedule is fairly significant, with visits to Oakland, Minnesota and Green Bay.
Here is a look at each game that the Dolphins will play in the regular season:
Sept. 12, 1 p.m. – at Buffalo Bills
A lot of Canadian snowbirds who spend their winters in Florida live close to Buffalo, and the Dolphins are their home-away-from-home team. As a result, it’s not as strong of a home field advantage for the Bills as they would have had later in the season. The Bills are also starting their season with a new coach and GM – the fifth in 10 years – and they have had a losing record for the last five seasons.
Sept. 19, 1 p.m. – at Minnesota Vikings
Will Brett Favre be back? Won’t he? In what is becoming a yearly ritual, the team that the bearded passer plays for has to wait and see if they’ll have him for the season. However, even without Favre, the Vikings have powerful offensive weapons in running back Adrian Peterson and wide receiver Percy Harvin that could propel them back to the NFC Championship game.
Sept. 26, 8:20 p.m. – vs. New York Jets
The Dolphins’ home opener is in prime time against the team’s bitter rival, which is enough drama on its own. But this year’s Jets are on the heels of a highly successful season that took them to the AFC Championship game, farther than anybody expected. Expect New York to be highly motivated.
Oct. 4, 8:30 p.m. – vs. New England Patriots
The Dolphins play Monday night against their second division opponent in a row. Quarterback Tom Brady and the Defending AFC East champion Patriots are always a team to be taken seriously. They are known to rise on the big stage that Monday night provides, as they are 8-4 when Brady is QB.
Oct 17, 1 p.m. – at Green Bay Packers
Miami benefits here from playing after the bye week and getting the Green Bay game in before the snows arrive. However, the Packers, an NFC Wild Card last year, should be a tough team, as they will still have their big defensive line and a solid quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.
Oct. 24, 1 p.m. – vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been suspended for poor off-field behavior and may be traded by the Steelers. That makes this game a big question mark, depending on who ends up being Pittsburgh’s starter.
October 31, 1 p.m. – at Cincinnati Bengals
This was once a freebie, but the former Bungles are now the defending AFC North champions. They have a really good wide receiver with an identity crisis in the form of Chad Ochocinco (formerly Johnson) and a 1,000 yard rusher in Cedric Benson.
Nov. 7, 1 p.m. – at Baltimore Ravens
The Dolphins face the Ravens, who upset the Patriots in the Wild Card Round of the Playoffs last year. As usual, observers expect Baltimore to have a strong defense, but it’s not getting any younger, so this may be the time for an offensive lineman to put linebacker Ray Lewis on the ground.
Nov. 14, 1 p.m. – vs. Tennessee Titans
This match up, being so late in the season, is tough to call without seeing if Titans QB Vince Young continues to post respectable numbers.
Nov. 18, 8:20 p.m. – vs. Chicago Bears
The Dolphins drew the NFL network prime time Thursday game, which means a short week to get ready. If linebacker Brian Urlacher stays healthy and quarterback Jay Cutler gets the ball to his teammates instead of opponents, the Bears will be a tough opponent.
Nov. 28, 4:05 p.m. – at Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have been terrible for the last seven years. Unless they trade for Roethlisberger, is there any reason to think this year will be different?
Dec. 5, 1 p.m. – vs. Cleveland Browns
Barring any surprises, the Browns are likely to be another soft opponent, making it a nice two-week stretch for Miami.
Dec. 12, 4:15 p.m. – at New York Jets
If either team is contending for the playoffs, this will be a significant game. If both division rivals are contending for the playoffs, it will be a really significant game.
Dec. 19, 1 p.m. – vs. Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins start a two-game home stretch against a division rival. There may be playoff implications here, as well.
Dec. 26, 1 p.m. – vs. Detroit Lions
Detroit is undergoing a facelift and 2010 will likely be a rebuilding year, at best. Having a soft game this late in the season could be huge if Miami is still alive for a playoff spot.
Jan. 2, 1 p.m. – at New England Patriots
If the division is not yet decided, this game between AFC East opponents will be the game to watch for anyone with an interest in the playoff picture.
