The Miami Dolphins’ 2026 schedule hands out a little bit of everything: quarterback reunions, familiar faces, a couple of heavyweight AFC tests and a late push that could get weird in a hurry.
It starts Sept. 13 in Las Vegas, where all the pregame buzz would have centered on Fernando Mendoza, the first pick in the draft, making his NFL debut. Instead, the first snap for the Raiders will belong to veteran Kirk Cousins.
A week later, on Sept. 20, the Dolphins go to San Francisco for a 4:25 p.m. kickoff. The 49ers’ roster still looks loaded with the usual names - Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Fred Warner - but the bigger question is whether they can stay upright. DT Alfred Collins already tore a patellar tendon in Australia and will miss the season, and San Francisco also gets three extra days to prepare for Miami.
The home opener arrives Sept. 27 against the Chiefs, and Patrick Mahomes is healthy again. That’s obviously a plus for anyone who likes football, and doubly so in the Taylor Swift household.
From there, the Dolphins head to Minnesota on Oct. 4 to face a Vikings team led by Justin Jefferson. Miami’s overhauled secondary will get an early stress test there.
One week later, on Oct. 11, the Bengals come to town. That’s the offense everybody knows, especially with a healthy Joe Burrow, but the real question is whether a defense that specializes in giving up 27-plus points can improve with ex-Giants DL Dexter Lawrence.
The bye lands Oct. 18, though the source of comfort is limited: cruel sports books have Dolphins +2.
When the team comes back, it gets a trip to the Jets on Oct. 25.
New York is working with a new-look roster that includes three picks in the top 30 - edge David Bailey, tight end Kenyon Sadiq and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. The bigger issue, though, is whether Geno Smith can clean up after throwing 17 interceptions.
New England visits Miami on Nov. 1, and that game comes after the Patriots open with four straight playoff teams. They’ll probably be happy to get out of that stretch and into South Florida.
The following week brings Detroit to Hard Rock on Nov. 8.
The Lions, statistically speaking, have the NFL’s easiest schedule. They also still have Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St.
Brown, plus an offense that can light it up. The question hanging over them is simple enough: is this finally their Super Bowl year?
On Nov. 15, Miami goes to Indianapolis, where Jonathan Taylor keeps doing Jonathan Taylor things. The Colts, though, are a different team when quarterback Daniel Jones is hurt, and not in a good way.
Buffalo is next on Nov. 22, and that trip means the Dolphins will make their first visit to the new Highmark Stadium. No tears for the old one.
The Jets show up again on Nov. 29, and by then the question will be whether their interception-less streak - which covered all 17 games last season - is still alive.
December opens with a trip to Denver on Dec. 6, where Jaylen Waddle gets a chance to shred his former team’s secondary. The Mile High City is already buzzing about what he can bring to the offense.
Chicago comes to Miami on Dec. 13, and the Bears are described as a team on the rise: never out of it, never turning it over and taking it away whenever it wants.
The Dolphins then head to Green Bay on Dec. 20 for what the schedule calls reunion day. Quarterback Malik Willis, coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan all return to Lambeau.
The late-season home stretch keeps the reunions coming. On Dec. 27, ex-Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel returns as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, now guiding Justin Herbert, the quarterback Miami passed on when it took Tua Tagovailoa.
The regular season closes with Buffalo on Jan. 3.
Joe Brady has replaced Sean McDermott, and the idea is that this is the move that helps push the Bills over the top in January and February, along with Josh Allen. McDermott, for his part, sees Buffalo as a strong Super Bowl contender and is rooting for his old team.
Then comes the final game, either Jan. 9 or 10 at New England. The Dolphins could catch a break if the Patriots have playoff seeding locked up by kickoff.
If not, it’s Drake Maye throwing to A.J. Brown.
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