Where Can the Dolphins Win in 2026?

Where Can the Dolphins Win in 2026?

I’ve been hesitant to look at the Dolphins’ schedule and try to project their record after last year, when I predicted 7-10, and they went 7-10. I very much doubt I’ll be able to recreate the magic and nail the team’s win and loss record once again; however, we’re at a time in the offseason where there’s not much going on, so I figure I might as well look at the schedule and try to see where the Dolphins can score some wins. 

Unfortunately, the Dolphins schedule is tougher than you would hope for a team coming off a down year. Add in the fact that they offloaded a lot of talent, and the team has a long season ahead of them. So I’ll start off by listing the sure-fire losses. The 49ers, Chiefs, Vikings, Bengals, Lions, Colts, Broncos, Bears, Packers, and Chargers all look like matchups that will end in Miami losing.

However, the NFL is weird, and usually bad teams get a couple of wins they shouldn’t, so let’s say out of those 10 games the Dolphins get 2 victories. I think the most likely teams to fall to the Dolphins are the Colts and Lions; you can also potentially look at the Madden curse getting Caleb Williams and the Bears. 

So who can the Dolphins beat?

Well, in Week 1, Miami faces off against the Las Vegas Raiders and either Kirk Cousins, whom they beat last season when he was in Atlanta, or rookie Fernando Mendoza, who would be making his very first career start. It’s very likely that Miami can get a win to start the season.

After that, we’re really counting on familiarity to help the Dolphins out, as we look at their division rivals. Starting off with the Jets, I don’t believe the Jets have gotten much better in the offseason. Last year Miami defeated them twice, and I think it is safe to assume they can get at least one victory. 

The Buffalo Bills will not be as easy. While I think the team hasn’t surrounded Josh Allen with tons of talent, Allen is a one-man wrecking crew and will easily dispatch the Dolphins in Week 11.

However, they also play in Week 17; perhaps the Bills will be beat up or locked into a playoff position, so they rest their starters. Let’s optimistically say they split the season series. 

Moving on to the defending AFC champions in the New England Patriots. Despite an offseason where their head coach dominated the headlines, I still expect New England to be a powerhouse. Week 8 looks like an easy win for the Patriots; however, much like the Bills, we get them for round 2 late in the season. Week 18 sees Miami traveling to Gillette Stadium in what could be a meaningless game for the Patriots. Perhaps the Dolphins end the season on a two-game winning streak. 

All told, I predict 5-6 potential wins for Miami next year. That’s obviously not what you want to see; however, I have to be realistic. Is there a world where injuries break Miami’s way, and they win some games they shouldn’t? Sure. However, let’s be honest, stuff like that rarely goes Miami’s way, and I think it’s much healthier to expect the worst and hope for the best. So what do you think Miami’s record will be in 2026? Let me know in the comments.

You can follow me on YouTube @WickedGoodEverything and X @TheFakeBMarr