MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins' 2024 schedule was released along with the rest of the NFL slate on Wednesday.
The NFL's No. 1 offense from a season ago returns quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and they added even more talent this offseason with Odell Beckham Jr., tight end Jonnu Smith and fourth-round running back Jaylen Wright. The other side of the ball is a little less certain, as the Dolphins will break in a new defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver, and at least four new starters.
In coach Mike McDaniel's third season with the team, Miami is currently slated to play five times on national television, including a Thanksgiving Day game at Lambeau Field.
Here's what's in store for the Dolphins:
Dolphins 2024 regular-season schedule
Week 1: Sept. 8 vs. Jacksonville
Week 2: Sept. 12 vs. Buffalo (TNF)
Week 3: Sept. 22 at Seattle
Week 4: Sept. 30 vs. Titans (MNF)
Week 5: Oct. 6 at New England
Week 6: Oct. 13 BYE
Week 7: Oct. 20 at Colts
Week 8: Oct. 27 vs. Arizona
Week 9: Nov. 3 at Buffalo
Week 10: Nov. 11 at Los Angeles Rams (MNF)
Week 11: Nov. 17 vs Raiders
Week 12: Nov. 24 vs Patriots
Week 13: Nov. 28 at Green Bay (Thanksgiving)
Week 14: Dec. 8 vs. New York Jets
Week 15: Dec. 15 at Houston
Week 16: Dec. 22 vs. San Francisco
Week 17: Dec. 29 at Cleveland (SNF)
Week 18: Jan. 4 or 5 at New York Jets*
*Date for Week 18 to be determined
Strength of schedule: .488 (ninth easiest)
Over/under: 9.5
Biggest takeaway
The Dolphins have struggled late in the season under McDaniel. They own a 4-10 record in December or later, including two playoff losses to the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs. They'll have an opportunity to change that narrative in 2024, but they'll have to do so against some of the toughest opponents on their schedule. Four of Miami's final six games will be against playoff teams from 2023, with the other two coming against a New York Jets team expected to compete for an AFC East title. Miami could be in playoff position by the time the schedule gets difficult, however, as 8 of its first 11 games will be against teams that missed the playoffs last season.
Revenge game
Considering their record against the Bills over the past five years, any game against their AFC East rival could be considered a revenge game. But their game against the Titans in Week 4 is the most worthy candidate here. Tennessee erased a 14-point deficit with less than three minutes to play last season to stun the Dolphins on Monday Night Football -- a game that ultimately opened the door for Buffalo to win the division. The Dolphins get the Titans on the same stage, Monday Night Football, and the same venue -- where they hope to achieve a different result.
Bold prediction
The Dolphins will win at least nine of their first 11 games this season. McDaniel's team was excellent at winning the games it should last season (outside of the Titans loss) and should continue that trend in 2024 - especially with a litany of non-playoff teams on the schedule during the first three months of the season. Two games against Buffalo and another against the Los Angeles Rams are the toughest challenges during an otherwise favorable slate.