Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots, Sunday, Oct. 10, and Patriots at Dolphins, Monday night, Dec. 20
Dave Wannstedt needs a playoff season, but he gets a little break in this series -- finally. In the past couple of years, the Dolphins had the early home game. Now the Patriots get the late road game. They don't have to face the October heat in Miami, but they lose the edge of having a December home game. Wannstedt's biggest assignment is getting off to a good start so that Miami can survive this road game even with a loss. The Dolphins open with three home games in their first four, giving them a decent chance to get off to a 3-1 start. Three of their final five games are at home. The schedule sets up nicely. Wannstedt will have to get an offensive line with four starting changes to start fast and to get A.J. Feeley to take control of the offense in September.
