With the NFL’s 2022 schedule now released, Last Word on Sports NFL is analyzing the schedules of all 32 NFL teams. Each schedule for all 32 teams will be split into the most difficult games (1-8) and the easiest games (9-17). These are the Miami Dolphins most difficult games in 2022. They are ranked in order with one being the most difficult.
READ MORE: Dolphins Easiest Games
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Most Difficult Games on Miami Dolphins 2022 Schedule
1. Week 15: At Buffalo
The Dolphins have lost the last seven games against the Buffalo Bills. During those seven losses, the Bills have 24 sacks against the Dolphins. The off-season addition of eight-time pro-bowler Von Miller only added to the strength of the Bills pass rush. Despite losing offensive coordinator Brian Daboll in the coaching carousel, Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs won’t fall out of the ranks of top-tier NFL players. This will be a week 15 matchup against an AFC East rival in the middle of playoff hunts. This game could possibly be the game that crowns the leader of the AFC East. Playing this game at Buffalo will be the Dolphins most difficult game of the season.
2. Week 4: At Cincinnati
This is not the same Cincinnati Bengals from two years ago. These Bengals are the reigning AFC champions. The strength of the Bengals is their offense. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was the most accurate quarterback in the NFL in 2021, completing over 70% of his passes. Not only do the Bengals have a good receiving corps with Ja’Marr Chase leading the way, but they also have a good running game. Joe Mixon was the third-best running back in the 2021 season in yardage and touchdowns. The off-season signing of La’el Collins brings strength to the Bengals offensive line. The AFC champions will present their fair share of difficulty with home-field advantage on their side.
3. Week 14: At Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert will be pushing his team this late in the season for a playoff seed for the first time in his career. And Herbert’s gifted superstars that’s helped him gain high passing stats since his first career start hasn’t gone anywhere. With high-caliber offensive players like Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, and Keenan Allen, the Los Angeles Chargers will make the Dolphins defense earn their paychecks. Additionally, the Chargers have improved their defense during the off-season by adding Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson. A late-season away game on the West Coast during playoff hunts will prove to be one of the Dolphins most challenging games of the year.
4. Week 16: Green Bay
This Dolphins home game against the Green Bay Packers will put pressure on the Dolphins to win against NFL’s reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers on Christmas Day. The Dolphins will be entering the game coming off three consecutive away games against three of the toughest teams in the NFL. Even though the Packers lost their best receiver, Devante Adams, Rodgers knows how to make use of the receivers given to him. Anytime a team plays Aaron Rodgers during a playoff hunt, the game won’t be easy.
5. Week 13: At San Francisco
This game begins a long month of away games for the Dolphins before returning home for Christmas Day against Green Bay. Kyle Shanahan has done a good job of getting his teams into the playoffs during his coaching career. And whether Deebo Samuel stays or goes to another team, Shanahan still can coach his team to a playoff berth. Ultimately, the biggest challenge for the Dolphins will be for new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to win against his mentor and former boss in the San Francisco 49ers own house when playoff hunts are beginning.
6. Week 3: Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins need to beat the Bills at home to prove they’re playoff-worthy. Even though the home-field advantage is in play for the Dolphins to end the losing streak against the Bills, they’re still playing the Bills. Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and their mighty pass rush are going to be present in this game. The Bills haven’t lost much on personnel since last season. The Dolphins will have to up their game just to avoid the continued domination from the Bills since 2018.
7. Week 17: At New England
This away game against the New England Patriots will be a must-win game for the Dolphins at the end of the season. Playoff seeds are decided during this time and an away game against a division rival will make it more difficult. By this time teams will have had time to progress and be much better than they were in week one. This will be a New Year’s Day game. Bill Belichick will do everything to start the year by giving the Boston fans a victory for the Patriots last home game of the season.
8. Week 7: Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense will be a force to be reckoned with. T.J. Watt tied Michael Strahan’s record with the most sacks in a single season last season. Watt definitely will bring that strong pass rush with him to this game. Former Dolphins Minkah Fitzpatrick and the 2018 interceptions leader Damontae Kazee who was tied with Kyle Fuller and Miami’s own Xavien Howard that year in interceptions will lead the Steelers secondary. The Dolphins defense will also have to stop 2021’s fourth-leading rusher Najee Harris. Brian Flores will also be returning to Miami as the senior defensive assistant for the Steelers. The Flores story will make this one of the most publicized games on the Dolphins schedule. It may not be the number one hardest game the Dolphins play but count this one as one of the Dolphins most difficult games in 2022.
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