NFL schedule release: 3 pivotal matchups for Miami Dolphins
By Scott Gorman
Week 16: Miami Dolphins at New Orleans Saints (MNF)
This last spot was a tough choice between the Saints and the Thursday Night clash with the Baltimore Ravens. Due to the timing, the Monday Night bout gets the nod here as the Dolphins make their final playoff push in Week 16. This bout will be an equally important game to both sides, as the Saints look to continue their playoff run with new starting QB Jameis Winston at the helm.
The Saints have held the upper hand in this matchup recently, besting Miami the last three times. The Dolphins were shut out 20-0 in their most recent meeting during a 2017 London game at Wembley Stadium. Miami will look for a better outcome this time around against star RB Alvin Kamara and a vaunted New Orleans defense. This game will be one of the tougher tests for Tagovailoa as he continues his progression as the team’s potential franchise quarterback.
This game has always been earmarked by fans of the Miami Dolphins as a revenge game of sorts. The team passed on Brees in favor of Daunte Culpepper before the 2006 season. Culpepper went on to record only three total touchdowns with Miami while Brees became a Hall-of-Famer with the Saints.
Next. 2021 NFL Draft: 5 under-the-radar steals from Day 3. dark
The stakes will be a little different this time around, but Miami hopes they have finally found their franchise QB and that Tagovailoa will lead them past New Orleans and into the 2021-2022 NFL Playoffs.