The Miami Dolphins are set to welcome the Buffalo Bills to Hard Rock Stadium early this upcoming season, but they won’t be enjoying the typical sunny South Florida weather. In week 2, the two teams will clash on a Thursday night, marking the season’s first Thursday game to be streamed on Amazon.
This game will be particularly notable as it marks the Bills’ first visit to Miami since their sweltering encounter last season, where Josh Allen and his team wilted under the intense heat, now infamously referred to as the “Mr. Sunshine meltdown.”
However, whether this early-season spectacle will serve as the Dolphins’ home opener remains to be seen. Fans are hopeful, considering a start with two consecutive home games might not bode well for the Dolphins, given their heavy road game schedule, which includes nine away games.
The scheduling of this game indicates that the Dolphins will later head to Orchard Park to face the Bills, likely in December. The NFL will surely seize the opportunity to feature this rivalry in the colder part of the year, introducing the Dolphins to the chill of late-year Buffalo weather.
The Week 2 clash under the Thursday night lights presents the Dolphins with an early opportunity to shine on the national stage, a feat they failed to achieve last year. Success against strong teams like the Bills early on could be crucial for Miami’s aspirations for a memorable season.
Only one game of the Dolphins’ schedule has been revealed, with the full lineup expected to be released on May 15. Fans are eagerly awaiting the complete schedule which will consist of 16 games and a bye week, allowing them to begin planning for the season.
Despite the Buffalo fans possibly relishing the absence of scorching sunshine, Miami in early September remains decidedly hot. A matchup featuring Tua Tagovailoa against Josh Allen in Week 2 holds tremendous appeal, promising a thrilling contest early in the season.