It’s fair to say that expectations are quite low for the Miami Dolphins going into the new NFL season. The Dolphins were certainly not disgraced with seven wins last season, but the main question is whether that can be built upon. We will soon find out.
The good news for those looking for a refresh is that the Dolphins certainly have gone for it – a new GM, head coach and quarterback will certainly lead in a new direction. But what’s in store this season? Let’s take a look at what the Dolphins have ahead of them:
Big Changes in the Engine Room
The Dolphins have a new GM in Jon-Eric Sullivan, and a new head coach in Jeff Hafley. The Tua Tagovailoa era is now at an end, as the Dolphins brought in former Packers backup Malik Willis to replace him at quarterback. Willis is an unknown quantity, even if some of his numbers in Green Bay, when given the chance, were okay.
An Investment in Youth
Hafley will be looking after one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, with several rookies expected to be given a chance to shine. There is quality in the starting line up with names like Jordyn Brooks and De’Von Achane, but this is very much expected to be a learning curve for the team. Wide receivers Tutu Atwell and Jalen Tolbert, and pass rushers Joshua Uche and David Ojabo were among the key additions in the offseason.
Early Season
The Dolphins start off with a date with the Raiders in Las Vegas on Sunday September 13, with the NFL Week 1 game lines pointing to a win for the latter. It doesn’t get much easier after that, with games against the 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 and 3, followed by games against the Vikings and Bengals before the Dolphins’ Bye Week.
Overall SoS
Not everyone is sold on the importance of Strength of Schedule, but it should not be discounted either that the Dolphins are judged to have the second-toughest slate of all NFL teams, with opponents combining for a .542 win record last season. The final four games – Packers, Chargers, Bills, Patriots – look particularly brutal, as all of those teams have genuine Super Bowl ambitions.
Win Totals
As we said, the Dolphins emerged with some credit by winning seven games last term, but almost every sportsbook has moved the dial downwards, with most setting the win total at 4.5. They won’t say it out loud, but you get the sense that both Sullivan and Hafley would be delighted with anything over five wins. After all, their remit is for 2027 and beyond.
Postseason Chances
As above, it looks unlikely that the Dolphins will reach the double-digit wins (or thereabouts) needed to make the postseason. It’s going to be tough. You can never say never, and the Fins have some exciting young talent on the roster, but it would be a shock nonetheless.
What the Experts Say
NFL’s power rankings have the Dolphins 32nd out of 32 teams currently. The admission is that Miami embarked on the league’s “most obvious teardown” in the offseason. Indeed, no Fins fan is going to write off the season, but as the NFL says, “Every rebuild has to start somewhere,” and Miami’s starts here.
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