Miami Dolphins 2025 game-by-game predictions following schedule release

USA Today

15-05-2025

Miami Dolphins 2025 game-by-game predictions following schedule release
The Miami Dolphins, as well as the rest of the NFL, officially released their schedule Wednesday.
Miami will play nine home games (although one will be their trip to Madrid, Spain) and eight road games. Five of those matchups will be on prime time.
So how will the Dolphins do after their disappointing 8-9 finish last season? Let's gaze into the crystal ball for a glimpse at the Dolphins' 2025 season:
Week 1: Dolphins 24, Colts 17 (1-0)
The Colts came away the victors in a Week 7 game last season that saw the Dolphins without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins started Tyler Huntley and were forced to turn to Tim Boyle late in the game. The Colts won 16-10, in a sloppy game that saw just a reception each from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Expect a completely different game in the 2025 opener as a fully healthy Dolphins' team, led by Tagovailoa, should be much more productive.
Week 2: Dolphins 19, Patriots 16 (2-0)
Miami swept these AFC East rivals in the last two seasons, and are 5-1 against the Patriots over the last three. But with new head coach Mike Vrabel and a solid offseason for New England, there are new problems for the Dolphins.
Miami must contain second-year quarterback Drake Maye, and stop the run. If they can, they'd be off to a strong start with hard-fought home opener win under their belt to get to 2-0. Expect a one-score game, with some drama, and a Jason Sanders winner to walk off, 19-16.
Week 3: Bills 31, Dolphins 20 (2-1)
While Miami has had the Patriots' number, Buffalo has had their way with the Dolphins lately. The Dolphins have just one victory against their rivals from Upstate New York in the last 14 matchups against the Bills and they've lost six straight.
Until the Dolphins can turn the tide, it's still Buffalo's division. On a short week, and after two tough wins to open the season, the Dolphins are brought back down to Earth. Josh Allen leads the Bills to another win, dropping Miami to 2-1.
Week 4: Dolphins 27, Jets 13 (3-1)
On the flip side, Miami has won four of its last five against the Jets and are 12-3 against them since 2017. After a long rest following a Thursday night loss, the Dolphins rebound during a Monday Night Football doubleheader.
The Jets haven't won in South Florida since 2015, and you can expect the decade of Hard Rock dominance to continue against Gang Green, who could go home black and blue after losing under the lights.
Look for Jaylen Waddle to continue to crush the Jets, who has a career 80.4 percent catch rate against New York. Waddle has 45 receptions on 56 targets for 531 receiving yards in seven games against the Jets. Dolphins get to 3-1 after three straight divisional matchups.
Week 5: Dolphins 26, Panthers 16 (4-1)
Carolina has a young, improving quarterback in Bryce Young, and a new weapon in rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan. The duo won't be enough to beat the Dolphins, though, as Miami is simply still the more talented team. The Panthers were 5-12 last year, and Miami has enough to come away with a road win.
Against one of the worst defenses of the 2024 season, Miami's attack should put the game out of reach early, but expect some fourth quarter garbage time numbers and points from Young and his new target.
Week 6: Chargers 34, Dolphins 27 (4-2)
The Dolphins welcome Justin Herbert to Hard Rock Stadium in a matchup of 2020 first-round quarterbacks. In what could be a stat-stuffing high-scoring affair, Miami comes up a tad short here.
The Chargers have too many weapons for a Dolphins' secondary that, at the moment, will be rather thin following the eventual trade of Jalen Ramsey. Look for Ladd McConkey to make Miami miserable.
Week 7: Dolphins 27, Browns 10 (5-2)
The Dolphins went into a Week 17 matchup last season against the Browns and left with a win behind an admirable effort by backup quarterback Snoop Huntley. Cleveland is still trying to build a winner, and 2025 is not the year it comes to fruition.
If Tagovailoa is healthy, he should be able to lift the Dolphins to a smooth sailing victory on a mild afternoon on the banks of Lake Erie. The Miami ground game will dominate the second half to close the contest.
Week 8: Falcons 27, Dolphins 20 (5-3)
In the second of back-to-back road games, Miami has an opportunity to take hold of the AFC East, but hit a wall in Atlanta. Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and running back Bijan Robinson prove too much for Miami to handle.
Drake London at receiver and tight end Kyle Pitts could be a factor as well. Pitts faced Miami once so far in his career, and caught seven of his eight targets for 163 yards back in 2021.
Week 9: Ravens 24, Dolphins 20 (5-4)
Birds of another feather flock to Hard Rock on the eve of Halloween for a Thursday Night Football treat. Miami will look to bounce back, and hope to replicate the last time Baltimore faced the Dolphins in South Florida on a Thursday night. In 2021, Miami masterfully held quarterback Lamar Jackson in check en route to a 22-10 win.
Miami must stop the mobile quarterback again, and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who knows Jackson plenty from his Baltimore days, schemes a way to stop Jackson, or at the very least, contain him. They also must stop running back Derrick Henry, which could be a major test for rookie defensive tackle Kenneth Grant
In a game that comes down to the wire, Miami puts up a solid effort, but Jackson, Henry and the Ravens are just a bit too much for the Dolphins.
Week 10: Dolphins 31, Bills 30 (6-4)
In the first game of round two of AFC East matchups, the Dolphins have a long week of rest following their loss to the Ravens and hope to avoid the .500 mark with a loss to the Bills.
But the Dolphins even the season series against their heated rivals by figuring out how to slow 2024 MVP Josh Allen. In what could be a 'must-win' of sorts, the Dolphins rely on Jason Sanders to send them off the field winners in a 31-30 stunner.
Week 11: Commanders 33, Dolphins 23 (6-5)
After 10 straight weeks of action and a trip across the Atlantic, Miami has to face Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. A healthy Miami team could go toe-to-toe with Washington, but given the toll of the first half of the season, this game could get out of hand.
The Commanders and Daniels deal the Dolphins a loss, as wide receiver Terry McLaurin is too much to handle.
Week 13: Dolphins 35, Saints 10 (7-5)
With the recent retirement news of quarterback Derek Carr, the Saints could be in trouble at the position. A room of unproven, young quarterbacks and a rookie will vie for a job. Regardless who comes out on top, the Dolphins dominate at Hard Rock after healing up on their bye week.
The Dolphins should have no issues here at home and take care of the visitors in a rout.
Week 14: Dolphins 19, Jets 13 (8-5)
This game will be a true test of the new identity the Dolphins are trying to manifest.
This matchup will be trench warfare on both sides of the ball. If the road game in the Northeast in December doesn't hinder the Dolphins, it could spell out success the rest of the season. Miami sweeps New York in a slugfest.
Week 15: Dolphins 23, Steelers 16 (9-5)
This will be just the second two-game road stint Miami has all season, but it's not an easy trip.
Pittsburgh has won the last three times they faced the Dolphins on Monday night. It was way back in 1995 when Miami last beat the Steelers on a Monday, and in 2025, the streak snaps.
The quarterback position in Pittsburgh is up in the air at this juncture, and Miami could have another opportunity to show their newfound toughness, winning on the road in the cold.
Week 16: Bengals 31, Dolphins 27 (9-6)
In their prime-time finale, Miami hosts Joe Burrow and the Bengals in another 2020 quarterback draft class duel (health permitting). Tagovailoa and his targets need to keep pace with Burrow, and arguably the NFL's top tandem of receivers, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
The Dolphins and Tagovailoa keep pace with the Bengals, but fall a bit short, as the offensive firepower is just a bit too much for Miami.
Week 17: Dolphins 29, Buccaneers 22 (10-6)
In a social media post earlier in April, Tyreek Hill called Baker Mayfield a top five quarterback. Not on Hill's list was his own, Tagovailoa.
This could be late season bulletin board material for Miami and their leader at quarterback. In a game Miami must secure to have a chance at the postseason, Hill helps the Dolphins get a crucial win that sets up potential win-and-in game Week 18 on the road in New England.
Week 18: Dolphins 17, Patriots 14 (11-6)
With a season sweep and spot in the playoffs on the line, Miami has one more chance to solidify their newborn identity of toughness in a January matchup that could be blizzardy.
The soft stigma could be smashed here, as Miami looks to its trenches to punch a ticket to the NFL playoffs. Once again, the Dolphins beat the Patriots off the foot of Jason Sanders.