5 of the Most Important Games on the Dolphins’ Schedule
The 2026 Miami Dolphins will look a whole lot different than they did last season.
The new-look Dolphins will feature a bunch of new players on offense, including new starting quarterback Malik Willis and wide receivers such as Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell. On the defensive end of things, familiar names such as Jordyn Brooks, Zach Sieler and Chop Robinson will return, but newcomers such as second-round rookie Jacob Rodriguez will have every chance to prove themselves.
The expectations are low entering this season as the Dolphins are anticipated to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. In fact, many expect them to be the worst with a major roster rebuild and Miami carrying the largest dead cap hit in NFL history ($179.2 million).
However, the future appears to be bright with the former Green Bay Packers regime in place in head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Here are the top five games on the Dolphins’ 2026 schedule, which is the second-toughest in the NFL.
5. Week 1 at Las Vegas Raiders.
As mentioned before, the Dolphins have a tough schedule. Despite finishing with a 7-10 record, they have the second-toughest schedule in the NFL, with only the Chicago Bears having a tougher schedule.
It won’t be easy to start out the season as they open their schedule on the road during the first two games. The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t exactly an unbeatable opponent, as they have a potential rookie starter at quarterback in Fernando Mendoza and are coming off of a 3-14 season.
This is a winnable game for the Dolphins when considering both teams are considered in the bottom tier of teams in the NFL. If Miami can win this game, it could give them the confidence and momentum that they need as they progress through the season.
4. Week 3 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This is the Dolphins’ opening home game and they do so against the AFC’s best team — prior to last season — over the past half decade. The Chiefs are coming off of a down year, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. However, a lot of that has to do with Patrick Mahomes‘ season-ending injury in December.
It’s unclear if Mahomes will be ready for the start of this game as he continues to recover from his torn ACL and LCL injuries. Justin Fields was signed as the Chiefs’ backup and would be the starter if Mahomes is unable to go.
This is a big litmus test early on in the season to see exactly where the young Dolphins measure against one of the better and more proven teams in the AFC.
3. Week 7 vs. New England Patriots
No matter where the Dolphins and New England Patriots stand in the standings, these are always competitive games — especially when they take place in Miami. Miami has a 16-10 home record against New England since 2000.
With this game taking place in October, one can expect the weather to be humid, which will go against the Patriots’ liking. New England is obviously coming off of a sensational season as the defending AFC champions.
However, some expect the Patriots to regress from their 14-3 record last season, especially considering they had the league’s easiest schedule last season. This game is prime for an upset more than any other game on the schedule.
2. Week 14 at Green Bay Packers
This is a big one considering the obvious Packers connection that the Dolphins have.
The three biggest roles in the organization are all filled by former Packers in Willis, Hafley and Sullivan. Willis was the backup quarterback for Green Bay over the past two seasons, Hafley was the defensive coordinator over the past two years and Sullivan had been in an executive role since 2004.
This is Willis’ big chance to not only defeat the guy that was ahead of him, Jordan Love, on the depth chart, but to solidify himself as a franchise quarterback late in the season.
By this point in time, we should know whether or not Willis has what it takes to be the starting quarterback heading into the 2027 season.
1. Week 16 vs. Buffalo Bills
This game will have likely implications for both teams.
In the Buffalo Bills’ case, this game could determine playoff seeding and whether or not the Bills — led by first-year head coach Joe Brady — are primed for a Super Bowl run.
In the Dolphins’ case, it’ll likely determine whether or not they’ll have the first overall pick and if they’re going to select Arch Manning or Dante Moore as their next franchise quarterback.
With this being a home game, the Dolphins could play spoiler to the Bills’ playoff seeding or even playoff hopes.
5 of the Most Important Games on the Dolphins’ Schedule
5 of the Most Important Games on the Dolphins’ Schedule
The 2026 Miami Dolphins will look a whole lot different than they did last season.
The new-look Dolphins will feature a bunch of new players on offense, including new starting quarterback Malik Willis and wide receivers such as Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell. On the defensive end of things, familiar names such as Jordyn Brooks, Zach Sieler and Chop Robinson will return, but newcomers such as second-round rookie Jacob Rodriguez will have every chance to prove themselves.
The expectations are low entering this season as the Dolphins are anticipated to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. In fact, many expect them to be the worst with a major roster rebuild and Miami carrying the largest dead cap hit in NFL history ($179.2 million).
However, the future appears to be bright with the former Green Bay Packers regime in place in head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Here are the top five games on the Dolphins’ 2026 schedule, which is the second-toughest in the NFL.
5. Week 1 at Las Vegas Raiders.
As mentioned before, the Dolphins have a tough schedule. Despite finishing with a 7-10 record, they have the second-toughest schedule in the NFL, with only the Chicago Bears having a tougher schedule.
It won’t be easy to start out the season as they open their schedule on the road during the first two games. The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t exactly an unbeatable opponent, as they have a potential rookie starter at quarterback in Fernando Mendoza and are coming off of a 3-14 season.
This is a winnable game for the Dolphins when considering both teams are considered in the bottom tier of teams in the NFL. If Miami can win this game, it could give them the confidence and momentum that they need as they progress through the season.
4. Week 3 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This is the Dolphins’ opening home game and they do so against the AFC’s best team — prior to last season — over the past half decade. The Chiefs are coming off of a down year, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. However, a lot of that has to do with Patrick Mahomes‘ season-ending injury in December.
It’s unclear if Mahomes will be ready for the start of this game as he continues to recover from his torn ACL and LCL injuries. Justin Fields was signed as the Chiefs’ backup and would be the starter if Mahomes is unable to go.
This is a big litmus test early on in the season to see exactly where the young Dolphins measure against one of the better and more proven teams in the AFC.
3. Week 7 vs. New England Patriots
No matter where the Dolphins and New England Patriots stand in the standings, these are always competitive games — especially when they take place in Miami. Miami has a 16-10 home record against New England since 2000.
With this game taking place in October, one can expect the weather to be humid, which will go against the Patriots’ liking. New England is obviously coming off of a sensational season as the defending AFC champions.
However, some expect the Patriots to regress from their 14-3 record last season, especially considering they had the league’s easiest schedule last season. This game is prime for an upset more than any other game on the schedule.
2. Week 14 at Green Bay Packers
This is a big one considering the obvious Packers connection that the Dolphins have.
The three biggest roles in the organization are all filled by former Packers in Willis, Hafley and Sullivan. Willis was the backup quarterback for Green Bay over the past two seasons, Hafley was the defensive coordinator over the past two years and Sullivan had been in an executive role since 2004.
This is Willis’ big chance to not only defeat the guy that was ahead of him, Jordan Love, on the depth chart, but to solidify himself as a franchise quarterback late in the season.
By this point in time, we should know whether or not Willis has what it takes to be the starting quarterback heading into the 2027 season.
1. Week 16 vs. Buffalo Bills
This game will have likely implications for both teams.
In the Buffalo Bills’ case, this game could determine playoff seeding and whether or not the Bills — led by first-year head coach Joe Brady — are primed for a Super Bowl run.
In the Dolphins’ case, it’ll likely determine whether or not they’ll have the first overall pick and if they’re going to select Arch Manning or Dante Moore as their next franchise quarterback.
With this being a home game, the Dolphins could play spoiler to the Bills’ playoff seeding or even playoff hopes.
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