Why Week 1 Could Make or Break the Dolphins’ 2025 Season

Why Week 1 Could Make or Break the Dolphins’ 2025 Season

For the Dolphins, Week 1 Will Be Very Telling

Overreactions tend to happen a lot after Week 1, and it’s only natural; everyone has waited months to see meaningful football played again. It’s important to remember that it’s a long season. After all, let’s not forget that after Week 2 last year, the Saints’ offense seemed revolutionary after scoring 91 points in those two weeks. Things quickly went sideways, and fans celebrated when their quarterback retired in the offseason.

And yet, despite knowing this, I believe the Dolphins’ Week 1 matchup is of significant importance. I’m not quite as down on this current Miami squad as most; however, a disappointing effort in Week 1 could change that. Miami has won all three Week 1 games under head coach Mike McDaniel, and each one told a different story. 

2022: Dolphins 20, Patriots 7

This was probably the least telling game of the McDaniel era, but it showed glimpses of the offense we’ve seen over the past three years. Tua Tagovailoa played an efficient game, which featured a 40-plus-yard touchdown to Jaylen Waddle. Despite scoring only 20 points, it was evident that the Dolphins’ offense was in a much better place than in 2021 under Brian Flores. The following week would bring the offensive explosion in Baltimore, where the McDaniel offense truly showed what it was capable of.

2023: Dolphins 36, Chargers 34

The importance of this game may be somewhat forgotten now, but at the time, it was a highly anticipated Week 1 matchup. McDaniel’s offense had been embarrassed by Brandon Staley’s defense in 2022, and people were curious to see if that would happen again. Instead, McDaniel unveiled what would later be known league-wide as the “cheat motion,” which tormented Los Angeles all game long.

After struggling down the stretch in 2022, the offense underwent significant improvements in the offseason, and it was evident from the very first game. Tua threw for 466 yards, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for nearly 300 receiving yards. Despite a disappointing finish to the season, this performance wasn’t a mirage. The Dolphins were one of the most effective offensive units throughout the year, highlighted by a 70-point showing against Denver.

2024: Dolphins 20, Jaguars 17

Unlike the previous two openers, the Dolphins looked “off” in their 2024 debut against Jacksonville. At the time, some could excuse the performance due to Tyreek Hill being detained prior to the game. However, as the season played out, it became clear the offense wasn’t the same. Truth be told, they were a Jaguars fumble away from losing that game.

The Dolphins offense couldn’t get going, Tua was inefficient, Achane didn’t exceed 25 rushing yards, and the fireworks that had characterized the Dolphins the previous two years were gone.