The Miami Dolphins released their full 2026 schedule for their slate of 17 regular-season games and three preseason contests. With a new head coach, general manager and quarterback, Miami will face a tough selection of opponents both at home and on the road.
While the Dolphins should focus on their own development this year instead of results, let’s take a look at their schedule and rank these games from easiest to toughest for Miami.
17. Week 12 vs. New York Jets
Geno Smith may be a more capable game manager than Justin Fields, but it’s still the Jets. Playing at home early on will also give Miami a great boost from the heat.
16. Week 1 at Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders may have brought in a proven winner in Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, but this is still the team that was the worst in the league last year. On top of that, they have a rookie head coach, so it could take some time for them to get things situated.
15. Week 7 at New York Jets
Again, New York doesn’t present much of a challenge, but this game is on the road, so that makes it inherently more difficult.
14. Week 10 at Indianapolis Colts
Who is Daniel Jones? Is he the quarterback that we saw with the New York Giants, or the one we saw with the Colts before the injury? That’s what this comes down to.
13. Week 13 at Denver Broncos
Denver may not have the best offense in the league, but their defense was phenomenal this past year. Plus, playing at that elevation is never fun.
12. Week 4 at Minnesota Vikings
This is a make-or-break year for J.J. McCarthy. If he can take advantage of having one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL, they could be scary.
11. Week 5 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
While Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chas are all locked in on long-term deals, they’re coming off a disappointing year. That pressure building in Cincinnati should be enough to keep them motivated and playing well in 2026.
10. Week 16 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert and Mike McDaniel could be a match made in Heaven. If Miami’s old head coach can unlock the former first-round pick’s full potential, they’ll be tough to stop.
9. Week 9 vs. Detroit Lions
Detroit may have taken a step back last year, but they still have Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown. They just need to stay healthy and have their coordinators put in the right plan.
8. Week 3 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL. There’s a strong chance he’s still on the sidelines for Week 3, but assuming he’s back, it may take some time for him to get back to the player he was pre-injury.
7. Week 17 vs. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo is always a tough matchup for the Dolphins, but at least this game is in South Florida.
6. Week 8 vs. New England Patriots
The AFC champions should be better with Drake Maye in the system for another season. Again, at least this game is in Miami.
5. Week 2 at San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco upset the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs last year, and now they’ve added Mike Evans and Christian Kirk to help their offensive woes.
4. Week 14 vs. Chicago Bears
Ben Johnson fully unlocked Caleb Williams last year. This offense could be even scarier after a full season together.
3. Week 18 at New England Patriots
This game could be one of the easiest on the schedule, depending on how the seeding is in the conference. If the Patriots have nothing to play for, they could bench their starters. If they don’t and they’re fighting, this could be an ugly end to the season.
2. Week 11 at Buffalo Bills
Buffalo is tough. Playing in Buffalo is even tougher.
1. Week 15 at Green Bay Packers
A cold game at Lambeau Field where Hafley and Malik Willis take on their former team. There’s a strong chance that this game is a blowout.
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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins 2026 schedule: Ranking each game from easiest to toughest