Five Takeaways from the Miami Dolphins 2023 Schedule

Now that we've had a little bit of time to digest the 2023 Miami Dolphins schedule, here are five things that stand out about the slate that begins against the Los Angeles Chargers and ends with the Buffalo Bills.

1. Immediately, we notice the Dolphins don't have quite the same number of early-season games at Hard Rock Stadium and there's just no way of minimizing how big of an advantage those games are for Miami. And it's all because of the configuration of the stadium, which has the visiting sideline in bright sunshine — and sweltering heat — while the Dolphins enjoy some shade. For those griping about Buffalo not playing in Miami in September, remember that the Bills did that not only last season, but also in 2020 and 2021. Besides, the Dolphins play three of their first six home games in Miami, and even by Game 6, it says here the Carolina Panthers still will be feeling the effects of the heat.

2. While it's tough to complain about the Dolphins getting three prime-time games in addition to the two previously announced national TV appearances, it does seem as though Miami didn't get quite the respect/attention that maybe it deserves. It's especially noteworthy when you consider that the Green Bay Packers were scheduled for five prime-time games — this after trading away Aaron Rodgers and being left with unproven Jordan Love as their quarterback.

3. Important reminder regarding those prime-time games, specifically the Dolphins' Week 14 Monday night matchup against the Tennessee Titans: Monday night games, including this one, as subject to flexing this season. So while the Dolphins very well could get flexed to a Sunday night game or two this season — like they did against the Chargers in 2022 — they could get flexed out of that Monday night game against Tennessee. The new rules call for Monday night flex scheduling (with a 12-day notice) for Weeks 12-17.

4. One thing missing from the Dolphins' 2023 schedule is that TBD game — outside of the final week when everybody's game is TBD. There's again a week with five games initially scheduled as TBD, where three games will be slotted for Saturday, which is what led to Saturday night games at Las Vegas in 2020 and at Buffalo in 2022. The Dolphins also had a TBD game against the Jets in 2021, but it ended up being slotted for Sunday at 1 p.m.

5. It's great that the Dolphins end with a lot of home games because that season-ending four-game stretch is brutal. The nasty stretch last season was Week 15-17, and this time it's 15-18 with the Jets, Cowboys, Ravens and Bills on the schedule. But if the Dolphins are to be Super Bowl contenders, this shouldn't be viewed as a challenge but rather as a great opportunity to showcase their ability.

THE 2023 MIAMI DOLPHINS SCHEDULE

All times Eastern

PRESEASON

Week 1 — TBD, vs. Atlanta

Week 2 — Saturday, Aug. 19, at Houston, 8 p.m.

Week 3 — TBD, at Jacksonville

REGULAR SEASON

Week 1 — Sunday, Sept. 10, at L.A. Chargers, 4:25 p.m., CBS

Week 2 — Sunday, Sept. 17, at New England, 8:20 p.m., NBC

Week 3 — Sunday, Sept. 24, vs. Denver, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 4 — Sunday, Oct,. 1, at Buffalo, 1 p.m.., CBS

Week 5 — Sunday, Oct. 8, vs. N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m., FOX

Week 6 — Sunday, Oct. 15, vs. Carolina, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 7 — Sunday, Oct. 22 at Philadelphia, 8:20 p.m., NBC

Week 8 — Sunday, Oct. 29, vs. New England, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 9 — Sunday, Nov. 5, vs. Kansas City, at Frankfurt, Germany, 9:30 a.m., NFLN

Week 10 — BYE

Week 11 — Sunday, Nov. 19, vs. Las Vegas, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 12 — Friday, Nov. 24, at New York Jets, 3 p.m., Prime Video

Week 13 — Sunday, Dec. 3, at Washington, 1 p.m., FOX

Week 14 — Monday, Dec. 11, vs. Tennessee, 8:15 p.m., ESPN

Week 15 — Sunday, Dec. 17, vs. N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 16 — Sunday, Dec. 24, vs. Dallas, 4:25 p.m., FOX

Week 17 — Sunday, Dec. 31, at Baltimore, 1 p.m., CBS

Week 18 — Date TBD, vs. Buffalo, TBD