If you were hoping to catch the Miami Dolphins on the field today, I’ve got some bittersweet news for you.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. While the NFL Divisional Playoffs are currently in full swing with the Buffalo Bills heading to Denver and the 49ers taking on Seattle, the Dolphins aren’t on the schedule. They aren't in the bracket. Basically, the Dolphins season ended a couple of weeks ago.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that expected a lot more from this roster. Honestly, the question of who won the miami dolphins football game today has a simple answer: nobody, because they didn't play. Their final whistle for the 2025-2026 season blew back on January 4th at Gillette Stadium.
Why the Dolphins Season Ended Early
Miami finished their 2025 campaign with a 7-10 record. That’s not exactly what Mike McDaniel had in mind when the team flew to Madrid earlier in the year to beat Washington. They actually looked like they might turn a corner in the middle of the season, stringing together four straight wins against the Bills, Commanders, Saints, and Jets.
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But then the wheels fell off.
They lost three of their last four games. The final blow was a 38-10 beatdown by the New England Patriots in Week 18. That loss officially locked them out of the postseason and left them sitting in third place in the AFC East, staring up at the 14-3 Patriots and the 12-5 Bills.
The Search for the New Head Coach
Since the season ended, the "game" for the Dolphins has moved from the turf to the front office. The big news right now isn't a score—it's the coaching search.
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As of this morning, January 17, the Dolphins have been incredibly busy interviewing candidates to lead the team in 2026. Just yesterday, the team confirmed they completed an interview with Anthony Campanile, the Jaguars' defensive coordinator. And today? The name everyone is talking about is Chris Shula.
If that name sounds familiar, it should. Chris is the grandson of the legendary Don Shula. He’s currently the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, and the Dolphins officially interviewed him today for the head coaching vacancy. Talk about a full-circle moment for the franchise.
A Quick Look at the 2025-2026 Final Standings
- New England Patriots: 14-3 (Division Winners)
- Buffalo Bills: 12-5 (Wild Card)
- Miami Dolphins: 7-10 (Season Over)
- New York Jets: 3-14 (Draft Prep Mode)
What the Future Holds
While you won't see Tua or Tyreek on your TV today, the 2026 schedule is already looking like a monster. Because of how the NFL scheduling rotation works, Miami is slated to have the second-toughest strength of schedule in the league next year.
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They’re going to be facing the entire NFC North—a division where every single team finished with a winning record this year. That means games against the Lions, Packers, Bears, and Vikings are all on the horizon. They also have a date with the San Francisco 49ers because both teams finished third in their respective divisions.
It’s going to be a long offseason in South Florida. But with the Shula name back in the mix for the head coaching job, there’s at least a bit of nostalgic hope floating around.
If you're looking for football to watch right now, your best bet is to tune into the Bills vs. Broncos game. The Dolphins are officially in evaluation mode, and the next time we see them in a game that counts won't be until September.
Your Next Steps for Following the Fins:
- Monitor the Coaching Tracker: Keep an eye on the official Dolphins Twitter (X) feed for updates on the Chris Shula and Anthony Campanile interviews.
- Draft Positioning: Start looking at mock drafts; the Dolphins are currently picking in the top 15, and they desperately need help on the offensive line.
- Playoff Scouting: Watch the Bills and Patriots games today and tomorrow. Knowing how far Miami is from the top of the AFC East gives you a realistic idea of what the new coach needs to fix first.