The Miami Dolphins’ record says one thing, but the fan base is still telling a different story.
After last weekend’s 24-19 loss to the New England Patriots, Miami sits at 1-6 and the rebuild remains front and center. The Dolphins led 13-3 at halftime, then watched the game slip away in the second half as New England rallied for the win. Still, the bigger picture around this team has not changed much in the eyes of its supporters: this is about growth, development, and a reset that is still taking shape.
That outlook gets tested again in Week 9, when the Dolphins host the Detroit Lions. Detroit comes in at 5-2 and is trying to get back to the playoffs in 2026 after missing out last year.
The Lions are a physical team, and they’ve become a useful example of what a successful philosophy change and roster rebuild can look like. They’re also five years ahead of Miami on that path, and FanDuel Sportsbook oddsmakers are leaning into that edge, making Detroit a 6.5-point favorite.
Even with the losses piling up, Dolphins fans have continued to buy into the direction set by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. Both are in their first year on the job, and both have been deliberate about reshaping the salary cap, the roster, and the way the team wants to play. The players have responded to that approach, and the fan base has shown the same kind of trust.
That confidence has held up remarkably well through the season. In the SB Nation Reacts survey heading into Week 8, 97 percent of fans said Miami was headed in the right direction, a number that had climbed near an all-time high after the win over the New York Jets. The loss to the Patriots knocked that figure down, but only to 86 percent in Week 9.
Here’s how the fan confidence numbers have tracked so far this season:
Preseason - 80%
Week 1 - 79%
Week 2 - 63%
Week 3 - 65%
Week 4 - 79%
Week 5 - 87%
Week 6 - 71%
Week 7 - 72%
Week 8 - 97%
Week 9 - 86%
The next round of results will show whether Sunday’s matchup with Detroit moves that number again in Week 10.
In Other News...
Jacob Rodriguez Is Giving Dolphins Fans A Reason To Keep Watching
With the season going sideways at 1-6, the Dolphins have needed a few reasons to keep the focus on the future, and rookie Jacob Rodriguez has become one of them. The second-round pick stepped into a starting role from the opening week and has quickly looked like a player worth building around, bringing energy and production to a defense that has spent much of the year under pressure.
Rodriguez has already made his presence felt with steady tackling, a takeaway and a forced fumble, enough to put him in the mix as one of the leagues more intriguing first-year defenders. His coverage still needs work, but the early returns suggest Miami may have found a long-term piece, and the rest of this lost season may end up serving as a showcase for how far he can go. [Read more 🡒]
Dolphins Veterans Suddenly Face A Deadline Reality Fans Feared
The loss to Detroit left Miami at 1-7 and only sharpened the sense that the next few days could bring more change than comfort. With the NFL trade deadline looming, a roster rebuild is no longer just a talking point around the Dolphins, and the conversation has started to include some of the veterans who have been part of the teams core.
Austin Jackson and Josh Uche have both acknowledged the uncertainty hanging over the locker room, even as they keep their focus on the next game. For players trying to balance preparation with the reality of a shifting roster, this week has become as much about waiting as it is about football, and the deadline could determine how much of this group is still together when the dust settles. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Bring Heavy Emotion Into Dolphins Matchup After Jack Campbell Injury
The buildup to the Lions matchup with the Dolphins carried a heavier tone than usual after linebacker Jack Campbell suffered a serious neck injury and has remained hospitalized since. Campbell later released a statement saying he has regained movement in his lower body and is making progress with his upper body, a welcome update that gave the team and its fans something to hold onto amid a difficult stretch.
Detroit made sure Campbell was front of mind around the game against Miami, turning the day into a show of support for one of its key defenders. The gesture underscored how much the injury has affected the locker room, and it added an emotional layer to a matchup that already had plenty riding on it for the Dolphins as they watched a wounded opponent rally around one of its own. [Read more 🡒]