The schedule for the 2012 NFL season was released at 7 p.m. tonight and while teams already knew who and where they were playing, they now know when they will be playing. The Dolphins' schedule looks like this:
Sun, Sep 9 @ Houston 1:00 pm EDT
Sun, Sep 16 vs. Oakland 4:15 pm EDT
Sun, Sep 23 vs. NY Jets 1:00 pm EDT
Sun, Sep 30 @ Arizona 4:05 pm EDT
Sun, Oct 7 @ Cincinnati 1:00 pm EDT
Sun, Oct 14 vs. St. Louis 1:00 pm EDT
Week 7 Bye
Sun, Oct 28 @ NY Jets 1:00 pm EDT
Sun, Nov 4 @ Indianapolis 1:00 pm EST
Sun, Nov 11 vs. Tennessee 1:00 pm EST
Thu, Nov 15 @ Buffalo 8:20 pm EST
Sun, Nov 25 vs. Seattle 1:00 pm EST
Sun, Dec 2 vs. New England 1:00 pm EST
Sun, Dec 9 @ San Francisco 4:05 pm EST
Sun, Dec 16 vs. Jacksonville 1:00 pm EST
Sun, Dec 23 vs. Buffalo 1:00 pm EST
Sun, Dec 30 @ New England 1:00 pm EST
The game that immediately sticks out is the season finale in New England. It looks like it will be only one of two or three cold-weather games (the others being in San Francisco and possibly in Buffalo at night, in November). Also, a division game late in the season could have playoff implications if the Dolphins are contending for a spot on the last week of the season.
The Week 7 bye should be a good thing for the Dolphins. For one, it comes before what is always a physical game against the Jets. Also, a later bye week allows the team to be a little fresher later in the season.
Other thoughts: The Dolphins travel to Houston in Week 1 to face the team that has been the bane of their existence since they came into the league...The Dolphins will get a look at the Colts in their first year PP (Post-Peyton) and will test the number one pick, whomever that may be...The Dolphins will welcome the once-courted Matt Flynn and the rest of the Seahawks in the end of November...Former starting quarterback Chad Henne could be starting when the Jaguars visit Miami in Week 15...Having four of the last six at home should be an advantage if the Dolphins have playoff ambitions. Then again, considering the struggles they have had at home the past couple of seasons, that may not be a good thing.