We’re back.
You’ve heard of the Fearsome Foursome? The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? The Four Stooges? (OK, made that last one up.)
Yes, it is that time of the year when the kids are back in school, summer is over (except in Florida) and The Palm Beach Post makes its fearless predictions on the upcoming Miami Dolphins season.
Most prognosticators are not high on the Dolphins, picking them among the lower echelon of the NFL. Very few have them advancing to the playoffs and, even then, they are a wild-card pick and destined to be eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Fubo: Watch Dolphins-Colts
But we were brave in doing this and you need to be fearless to take a peek at our picks:
Joe Schad — 9-8, another up-and-down season
The Dolphins appear improved at guard, safety and backup quarterback. Miami’s team chemistry is better than 2024, but its overall talent isn’t. Until proven otherwise, Miami’s offensive line and cornerback rooms will be discussed with great skepticism.
This is a manageable schedule and it’s important for the Dolphins to get off to a much better start this time around. The floor here should be six wins and the ceiling 11, but there’s a reason Vegas has Miami at 8.5 wins. This should be yet another up-and-down campaign.
Hal Habib — 8-9, major concerns about Dolphins secondary
There remains angst about the offensive line and secondary. Of the two, I feel better about the line, but that’s if the starters stay healthy. It’s a serviceable line if they can, one that can give Tua Tagovailoa the little time he needs and – going out on a limb here – open just enough lanes for the backs.
The fact the Dolphins continue to make moves in the secondary ought to tell you something. I like Miami’s front seven, but so much is on the edge rushers getting to the quarterback before the quarterback shreds the secondary. Obscenely early prediction: Miami’s first-round draft pick in 2026 is a cornerback because the Dolphins will never want to be left naked back there, in this passing league, again.
Tom D’Angelo — 7-10, recent downward trends continue
We do not have to be reminded the Miami Dolphins have not won a playoff game in a quarter of a century and have the longest active playoff win drought in the NFL. We do not have to be reminded this team regressed last year to its first sub-.500 season in five years, and has a less talented roster this year.
This team needs everything to go right to win nine games. Instead, the recent trends will continue and Miami will be fighting with the Jets to stay out of the AFC East cellar.
Nick Pugliese — 6-11, Jason Sanders’ freak injury an omen
Having covered the NFL in some capacity (writer/editor) since the early 1980s, I cannot recall a kicker injuring himself before a game. Make that, a PRESEASON GAME. If you’re looking for an omen for the Dolphins’ 2025 season, the fact that placekicker Jason Sanders will miss at least the first four games of the season should tell you something.
Injuries play a factor for all NFL teams, but Miami enters the season with a shaky secondary, a thin offensive line and, of course, the most fragile QB in the league in Tua Tagovailoa. Add that the Patriots and Jets will be better and the Bills remain the Bills and it’s going to be a long season at Hard Rock Stadium.
Sept. 7 season opener
Dolphins at Colts
1 p.m., CBS; streaming on Hulu, NFL+, Paramount+ and YouTube
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How our staff thinks Miami Dolphins’ 2025 season will go: Predictions and picks
Reporting by Nick Pugliese, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
