If you’re refreshing your phone looking for a miami dolphins today game score, I’ve got some bad news. There isn't a game. Today is January 18, 2026, which is Divisional Round Sunday in the NFL. While the Houston Texans are duking it out with the New England Patriots and the Rams are taking on the Bears, the Dolphins are already back in South Florida, likely thinking about draft boards and vacation time.
It's a bit of a bummer. Honestly, seeing the Patriots in the playoffs while Miami sits at home feels like a repeat of a movie we’ve seen too many times. The Dolphins finished their 2025-2026 season two weeks ago with a 10-38 thumping at the hands of those very same Patriots. That loss put the final nail in a 7-10 season that started with high hopes and ended with a lot of "what ifs."
Where did the season go wrong?
You can't talk about the lack of a miami dolphins today game score without looking at the collapse. They started 1-6. Seven games in, and the season looked DOA. Then, somehow, they caught fire, winning five of their next six. For a second there, in early December, it felt like Mike McDaniel might actually pull off a miracle.
But the NFL is a "prove it" league. They couldn't prove it. A Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (28-15) was the official knockout blow. After that, the energy just sort of leaked out of the building. By the time they played New England in Week 18, the team looked ready for the off-season.
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The Quarterback Carousel
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: Tua Tagovailoa.
After an inconsistent run through the first half of the season, the coaching staff made a massive call. They benched Tua. They handed the keys to the rookie, Quinn Ewers.
Ewers had some moments. He’s got that "it" factor you want in a young QB, but he also had a 69.6% completion rate in that final game that looked better on paper than it did on the field. He threw for 137 yards and a touchdown but also tossed a pick and got sacked four times. It’s hard to win when your quarterback is running for his life.
Miami Dolphins Today Game Score: The Off-Season Reality
Since there’s no game today, the real "score" is happening in the front office. The Dolphins are currently in the middle of a massive leadership transition. General Manager Chris Grier is out. Mike McDaniel is out. The team is officially hunting for a new identity.
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As of this morning, the team has already started interviewing candidates. Here’s who is on the radar right now:
- Chris Shula: The Defensive Coordinator for the Rams. Yeah, that Shula. He’s Don Shula’s grandson. The optics of bringing a Shula back to Miami are almost too perfect for a fan base desperate for the glory days.
- Anthony Campanile: Currently the DC for the Jaguars. He’s got history with the Dolphins (coached linebackers there from 2020-2023) and his defense in Jacksonville was a takeaway machine this year.
It’s kind of ironic. While the rest of the AFC is fighting for a spot in the Championship round, Miami is basically speed-dating coaches.
Why the 7-10 record hurts so much
It’s not just about the losing season. It’s about the drought. The Dolphins haven't won a playoff game in 25 seasons. Twenty-five. To put that in perspective, there are players on the current roster who weren't even born the last time Miami moved past the first round.
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The defense had some bright spots—Jordyn Brooks earned a first-team All-Pro nod—but the offense just couldn't stay explosive. Losing Jaylen Waddle to injuries for chunks of the season didn't help, and while Malik Washington stepped up (he caught the only TD in that final Week 18 game), it wasn't enough to overcome a struggling offensive line.
Looking ahead to 2026
The Dolphins don't have a miami dolphins today game score to track, but they do have a high draft pick and a lot of cap space decisions to make. The most pressing question is what happens with Quinn Ewers. Was the Week 16-18 stretch enough to make him "The Guy," or does the new head coach want to draft someone else?
They also need to figure out the running back room. Ollie Gordon II, the rookie out of Oklahoma State, showed flashes of being a beast, but he only averaged about 1 yard per carry in that final blowout against New England. That’s not going to cut it.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're a Dolphins fan feeling the void today, here is what you should actually be watching:
- Monitor the Coaching Tracker: The team is moving fast. We expect a second round of interviews for Chris Shula by the end of next week.
- Watch the Divisional Games: Keep an eye on the Rams vs. Bears game tonight. If Chris Shula’s defense holds up against Chicago’s offense, his stock in Miami is going to skyrocket.
- Draft Prep: Start looking at the 2026 Mock Drafts. With a 7-10 record, Miami is sitting in a prime spot to snag a generational talent on the offensive line or a shutdown corner.
The scoreboard might be empty for Miami today, but the work for next September has already started. We’ll be tracking every coaching hire and roster move as the New Miami era begins.