The national consensus is loud and clear for Sunday’s Chiefs-Dolphins matchup in Miami: the Chiefs are expected to leave Hard Rock Stadium with another win, and most of the forecasts don’t leave much room for debate.
Kansas City is making its first road trip of the 2026 season, but it will be doing it in home uniforms. Miami, meanwhile, is set to wear white jerseys and pants, just as the Broncos and Colts did. Kickoff is at noon, and the game will air on KCTV (Ch. 5) in Kansas City.
The Chiefs also have a familiar visual history in Miami’s building. The last time they wore their home uniforms there was Super Bowl LIV, when Kansas City beat the 49ers 31-20. A parade followed soon after back home.
Now comes the prediction sweep, and it leans heavily one way.
Bill Bender of Sporting News has the Chiefs winning 27-17, writing: “Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes against a Dolphins defense that doesn’t have a sack, especially with Kenneth Walker III, who leads the NFL with 290 rushing yards. This feels too easy.”
Jeremy Cluff of the Arizona Republic went with a 30-16 Chiefs result. He wrote: “The 0-2 Dolphins have been outscored 62-26 in their two road games to open the season. Malik Willis and Miami finally get to play at Hard Rock Stadium, but the results won’t be much better against the Chiefs.”
Greg Cote of the Miami Herald sees Kansas City winning 34-13. His column said: “The Fins will get a bit of a charge here from their home opener, but not enough to make up for the Chiefs’ big advantages in inexperience and talent.
Dolphins have been outscored 62-26 and such disparity should continue here as Patrick Mahomes and RB Kenneth Walker III won’t be stopped ... at least not nearly enough. Miami also takes a hit from possible absence of rookie top receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle), who might be limited if he plays at all.”
Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press picked the Chiefs 31-13. His explanation: “Patrick Mahomes is playing like a three-time Super Bowl MVP, Kenneth Walker III has added a new dimension for Kansas City’s offense and Travis Kelce turned the clock back a few years to his prime. The Dolphins are completely overmatched.”
Mike Florio of NBC Sports called it a 27-9 Chiefs win and added a sharp line that referenced a famous playoff game: “In 1971, these two teams played the longest game in NFL history. For Dolphins fans who attend this one, it will feel even longer.”
Bleacher Report was unanimous too. All seven writers - Gary Davenport, Kris Knox, Moe Moton, Ian Hanford, Wes O’Donnell, Brad Gagnon and Brent Sobleski - took Kansas City.
Hanford wrote: “The Kansas City Chiefs feel like they’re back. Travis Kelce looks like he’s turned back the clock.
Kenneth Walker III leads a dominant run game. The defense is opportunistic.
And they have Patrick Mahomes and a chip on their shoulder after a disappointing 2025 season. The Miami Dolphins have none of these things and are completely overmatched here.
I usually hesitate to back heavy favorites, but I don’t see this game being close.”
NFL.com’s five writers all sided with the Chiefs as well: Jeremy Bergman, Brooke Cersosimo, Gennaro Filice, Bobby Kownack and Dan Parr. Filice’s prediction was 33-14, and he wrote: “Without any established firepower beyond RB De’Von Achane, the offense can’t sustain drives.
The defense had no answer for Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty in Week 1 and nearly allowed a perfect game from 49ers QB Brock Purdy in Week 2. So, the better question might be, what does Miami do?
This is a rebuilding team without an identity. That doesn’t play well against a resurgent power with Hall of Fame leadership.
Yes, this is Miami’s home opener and Kansas City’s first road game. No, I don’t think that completely flips the script in the Fins’ favor.”
The Sun-Sentinel panel was also unanimous for Kansas City, with Chris Perkins, David Furones, Kathy Laughlin, Keven Lerner and Steve Svekis all picking the Chiefs. Laughlin’s view: “The fact that Kansas City allowed Indianapolis to score 30 points last week and had to go to OT to win should give the ragged Dolphins some measure of hope. However, the Dolphins are not the Colts, and this Miami team has too many leaks to stay afloat for long against the Chiefs.”
CBS Sports’ seven writers - Pete Prisco, Jared Dubin, John Breech, Tyler Sullivan, Ryan Wilson, Dave Richard and Jamey Eisenberg - all chose Kansas City too. Prisco had it 28-10 and wrote: “Miami is playing a lot of young players and building for the future.
They won’t win many games, and they won’t win their first here. Look for a big day by the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes.”
ESPN’s 11 experts all went with the Chiefs: Matt Bowen, Mike Clay, Jeremy Fowler, Kalyn Kahler, Moses Moody, Pamela Maldonado, Benjamin Solak, Seth Wickersham, Jason Reid, Dan Graziano and Lindsey Thiry.
USA Today’s six writers - Jarrett Bell, Nick Brinkerhoff, Chris Bumbaca, Nate Davis, Andy Kaufman and Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz - all predicted a Chiefs win.
The Athletic’s eight writers all picked Kansas City, as did all eight Sports Illustrated writers. The Chiefs were also the choice of all 10 Dallas Morning-News experts and all nine SB Nation writers.
By the time the national picks were tallied, the message was unmistakable: almost everyone expects the Chiefs to handle business in Miami.
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Chiefs Suddenly Have Real Stakes At Left Tackle Against Miami
Kansas City heads into its matchup with Miami with one of its most important protection questions still hanging over the week. Josh Simmons will not be available at left tackle, which leaves the Chiefs to sort out how they want to handle Patrick Mahomes blind side against a Dolphins defense that has given them plenty to think about before kickoff. There is some relief elsewhere on the roster, though, with cornerback Mansoor Delane set to be available and several key players, including Mahomes, officially cleared from the injury report.
The broader injury picture tilts more in Kansas Citys favor than Miamis, with the Dolphins set to be without wide receiver Caleb Douglas because of an ankle injury and running back Jaylen Wright also doubtful. Even so, the Chiefs attention is likely to stay on the tackle spot, where the absence of Simmons turns a routine week into a test of depth and flexibility. For a team built around Mahomes, the line in front of him often shapes the whole game, and this one has suddenly become a real storyline. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Receiver Search Starts With 5 Names Fans Should Track Now
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There is obvious urgency behind the work. The Chiefs have dealt with inconsistencies at wide receiver, and Rashee Rices looming free agency only sharpens the need to find another reliable option in the passing game. For now, the job is simple enough: keep watching these names week after week and see which one looks like the best fit for a team that may need help there sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
Chiefs Are Asking Rashee Rice To Do Something Risky
The Chiefs have been using Rashee Rice in a new offensive wrinkle that borrows from a Los Angeles Rams concept, one that asks the receiver to do more than just get open. Its a physical job built around blocking and a C-Gap insert route, and Rice has already been working it into games as Kansas City looks to create more play-action chances and keep defenses guessing.
Its a fitting showcase for Rice, who has earned praise from offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy for the way hes handled the assignment. Still, the role comes with a built-in concern for Kansas City, since Rices smaller frame and the teams thin wide receiver depth make every extra collision feel a little more consequential, especially with his contract situation still unsettled. [Read more 🡒]