Three Games to Watch During Dolphins “Bye Week”

With the unexpected “bye week” to begin the 2017 National Football League season there will be plenty of football to digest as a replacement to the usual three-plus hours spent watching the Miami Dolphins.

Even though the game has been rescheduled and the team won’t lose yet another home game – after already missing out on one such game due to the team traveling to London to play the Saints week four – not being able to watch Dolphins football as the season opens will be a tough pill to swallow come Sunday afternoon.

While it may be wise for the married men to spend some quality time with the wife this weekend so that you’re in good graces for the remainder of the games this season, here are three games to keep an eye on if you love football and have an understanding significant other.

New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills

Possibly one of the least sexy games on the week-one schedule, the Jets vs. Bills gives Dolphins fans the opportunity to watch two AFC East opponents in the same game.

With the Jets possessing one of the least impressive rosters – at least one paper – in 2017, and the Bills head-scratching offseason, neither team seems likely to compete with the New England Patriots for the division this season. However, Miami has historically struggled with both of these teams and this game will give us an opportunity to see whether or not the game tape matches the underwhelming expectations for these division foes.

Prediction: New York 13, Buffalo 21

Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos

While you’ll have to wait for Monday night for this game, the Chargers vs. Broncos provides an opportunity to watch Los Angeles’ newest team and the Dolphins week two opponent.

Playing each of the last four seasons with Miami taking three of the four matchups – loss came in 2015 – the Dolphins now have an extra week to rest and prepare for a team they’ve already had good success against the last handful of years.

With that being said, the Chargers are finally healthy on both offense and defense and feature a roster that should keep them competitive regardless of who they face each week.

The combination of Miami’s season opener and Phillip Rivers’ entertaining attitude and style of play is sure to provide plenty of excitement next week.

Prediction: Los Angeles 24, Denver 17

Oakland Raiders @ Tennessee Titans

Although this game doesn’t immediately impact Miami, the Dolphins do play both Tennessee and Oakland this season, weeks five and nine, respectively. While both teams will probably look quite a bit different by the time they play the Dolphins, the Titans and Raiders are projected by many as their division winner and teams that are likely to challenge New England in the AFC come playoff time.

This matchup features two up-and-coming offenses that have the makeup to produce a high-scoring, back-and-forth tilt where the last team to possess the ball may be in a position to decide the fate of the game.

If you’re looking for pure entertainment this weekend, the Raiders-Titans matchup should be atop your must-watch list.

Prediction: Oakland 31, Tennessee 28