The Miami Dolphins have officially released their 2026 schedule for both the regular season and preseason with Jeff Hafley leading the team for the first years as head coach.
Miami went 7-10 in 2025, which led to the changes to the front office, coaching staff and roster over the last few months. They finished third in the division, meaning they’d face a few other teams this year that finished in the same place in theirs last year.
As we continue to analyze the Dolphins’ schedule, here are way-too-early game-by-game predictions from Dolphins Wire:
Week 1: at Las Vegas Raiders
Opening up the season on the road against the team with the top pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Dolphins may be able to sneak out a win against another team with a new head coach, a new quarterback and maybe even worse wide receivers than they have.
PREDICTION: WIN
Week 2: at San Francisco 49ers
After a surprising win to start the season, things get a lot tougher in Week 2, as Brock Purdy and co. are just to much for the Dolphins to handle, even with George Kittle likely missing some time.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The third game of the season could present the Dolphins with a decent opportunity to win a second game in three weeks if Patrick Mahomes misses time to start the season while recovering from a torn ACL. If Mahomes does play, it’ll likely be a loss for Miami.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings season essentially depends on how J.J. McCarthy performs in his third year in the NFL. After struggling last season, it’s not likely that he figures it all out by Week 4 of this year, but they still have enough weapons to beat Miami. Plus, Brian Flores’ defense could make Malik Willis look foolish.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
This is a big year for the Bengals, who really didn’t look great in 2025. It’s just hard to pick against an offense that boasts Joe Burrow, Chase Brown, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 6: BYE
An early bye isn’t great for Miami, but it will break up the string off losses and allow fans, players and coaches to get a little breather before a long stretch of games to end the year.
Week 7: at New York Jets
Geno Smith is back in New York, and it’s going to be a very strange sight to see. While the Jets finished with just three wins last year, they’ve added some interesting players that put them on par with Miami. With this being at MetLife, we’ll give New York the victory.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 8: vs. New England Patriots
A midseason battle with the Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium, means Miami won’t get the huge boost that the weather difference usually gives for a December game in South Florida. They’ll drop the first of two battles with the division champions.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 9: vs. Detroit Lions
Detroit took a step back in 2025 after losing both of their coordinators, but they are still the more talented team at this point. I expect them to fight for a playoff spot after finishing in fourth in the NFC North last year.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 10: at Indianapolis Colts
On a seven-game losing streak, this is a great time for the Dolphins to throw a counterpunch, but it will all depend on what Daniel Jones looks like in 2026. If he looks how he did pre-injury last year, Indianapolis will take the game.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 11: at Buffalo Bills
We’re starting to get a little chilly in Northern New York in late November, and as long as Miami travels to take on a Josh Allen-led team in the cold, it’ll be tough to pick the Dolphins to secure a victory.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 12: vs. New York Jets
After losing nine games in a row, the Dolphins host the Jets, and they split the season series at a game each.
PREDICTION: WIN
Week 13: at Denver Broncos
Bo Nix suffered a season-ending injury in the playoffs, but he should be back and playing at his normal level in Week 13. While Miami put up 70 on Denver a few years back, this is a very different team.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams turned into an MVP candidate last season with Ben Johnson, and this might just be who he is now. And, if that’s the case, it’ll be too much for Miami to overcome.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 15: at Green Bay Packers
Jeff Hafley, Jon-Eric Sullivan and Malik Willis return to the Frozen Tundra in the winter. It won’t be a warm welcome, and as long as Jordan Love is healthy, Green Bay will earn a victory.
PREDICTION: LOSS
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Week 16: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Mike McDaniel is going to be in his bag with the Chargers, working with Justin Herbert, Omarion Hampton and Ladd McConkey. This revenge game is going to hurt Miami.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 17: vs. Buffalo Bills
Despite hosting the cold weather team down in a warmer climate late in the year, the Dolphins just don’t have the talent to keep up with Allen and company. Mark it down as a season sweep for Buffalo.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Week 18: at New England Patriots
There’s a world where New England has the division wrapped up by the final game of the regular season, and the team is resting players. If that’s the case, Miami could end on a high note. However, we can’t expect that to happen.
PREDICTION: LOSS
Dolphins’ early 2026 record prediction: 2-15
The Dolphins have won less than three games just once, as hey went 1-15 in 2007. This led to Miami securing the top pick in the 2008 NFL draft and taking Jake Long. There’s a strong chance that they’d end up pick No. 1 overall in 2027 if they win just two games this year, which could set them up to select the top quarterback in what’s supposed to be a stacked class.
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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Predicting every game on the Miami Dolphins’ 2026 schedule
Reporting by Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
