The Miami Dolphins are staring at one of the NFL’s toughest slates in 2026, and the timing couldn’t be less forgiving. With the schedule ranked second-hardest in the league based on last season’s records, Miami has to navigate nine games against 2025 playoff teams, two more against clubs that finished above .500, and a date with recent Super Bowl champion Kansas City.
So with the regular season about to get underway, here’s a look at all 17 Dolphins games, sorted by degree of difficulty.
No. 17: Raiders
If Miami wanted the cleanest possible way to open the Jeff Hafley era, this was it. Las Vegas is beginning over with head coach Klint Kubiak and new quarterback Fernando Mendoza, and it figures to take time before the Raiders are ready to contend.
No. 16: Jets
The Dolphins and Jets enter 2026 with similar expectations: both teams are supposed to have a rough year, and it may end up being a defining one for second-year head coach Aaron Glenn.
No. 15: Chiefs
This is Patrick Mahomes, so putting Kansas City this low feels a little wild - maybe even more than a little. Still, this is a September afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium, and Mahomes may not be fully recovered from his December knee injury.
No. 14: Bears
A lot of national observers seem convinced Chicago is headed for the Super Bowl, but this ranking leans the other way. The idea here is that the Bears could actually slide back after surviving a string of improbable wins in 2025.
No. 13: Patriots
This is the first home game against an AFC East opponent, and it gives the new-look Dolphins a chance to prove they can hang with New England.
No. 12: Lions
Dan Campbell is back in Miami as a head coach, and he’s bringing an offense that should be explosive.
No. 11: 49ers
San Francisco has been in the title mix for a few years, but this game gets nudged down a bit because the 49ers will be coming off the long trip to Australia to face the Rams in their opener.
No. 10: Bengals
Cincinnati is being talked about as a possible new AFC Super Bowl contender after the addition of Dexter Lawrence on defense, but the real headache is still Joe Burrow and the rest of that offense.
No. 9: Vikings
Brian Flores returning with Minnesota gives this one a sharp edge, and you can probably count on him to have an exotic and uber-aggressive plan ready for Miami’s defense.
No. 8: Patriots
The Dolphins finish at Gillette Stadium for the second straight season, and New England is coming off a Super Bowl appearance. Even if the Patriots aren’t quite as strong in 2026, this still shapes up as a difficult finale.
No. 7: Packers
Hafley’s return to Lambeau Field gives this December game extra juice, but pulling off the upset won’t be easy against a Green Bay team that’s usually in the playoff race at this point in the year.
No. 6: Broncos
The weather could matter here in December, but even without it this wouldn’t be a comfortable matchup. Denver’s defense alone makes life difficult.
No. 5: Dolphins at Steelers
This one ranks near the top because, well, it’s Buffalo. The Dolphins haven’t won there since 2016, so it was hard not to place this game even higher.
No. 4: Chargers
This is the Mike McDaniel return to Hard Rock Stadium, and the matchup between his offense and a bunch of his former defensive players should be one of the more interesting games on the schedule.
No. 3: Bills
Yes, Buffalo again. Josh Allen and the Bills are the kind of opponent that can make the whole season feel different, and this one is Miami’s home finale with major implications for the visitor.
No. 2: Ravens
Based on what happened in the 2025 season opener, this could have gone even higher. Still, Baltimore may not be quite the same team it was at the start of last season.
No. 1: Bills
Even after all that, Buffalo still lands at the top. The Dolphins are going to have to stare down Josh Allen again, and this is the kind of game that can define everything around it.
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For Miami, the concern is not just whether those players can produce, but whether the team can keep them available long enough to matter. Each one carries a different kind of importance, from protecting the quarterback to stabilizing the secondary, and that kind of dependence can turn a promising plan into a fragile one very quickly. With so much riding on a small group of difference-makers, the Dolphins are built more like a team trying to survive the season than one with much room to absorb a hit. [Read more 🡒]
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Among the newcomers are edge defender Herring, quarterback McCord and tight end Joly, along with several others who were added to help wherever the need pops up. Their roles will likely depend on injuries, matchup demands and how Miami wants to piece together certain spots as the year unfolds. The broader picture is clear enough even if the final answer is not: the Dolphins quietly stocked the back end of the roster with players who may not be household names yet, but could end up being part of the conversation sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]