You’re scrolling through your TV guide, checking the sports apps, and probably getting a little frustrated. You want to know what time is the Dolphins game on today, but the schedule looks blank. There’s a very specific, slightly painful reason for that if you’re a fan of the Phins.
As of Friday, January 16, 2026, the Miami Dolphins are officially in the offseason.
It’s over. The 2025-2026 campaign wrapped up with a thud in Foxborough on January 4th. If you were hoping for a playoff game this afternoon, you’re about a week too late—and even then, the Dolphins didn't make the cut.
The Reality Check: No Game Today
The Dolphins finished their season with a 7-10 record. That’s the hard truth. After a 38-10 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 18, the team headed home to South Florida while the rest of the AFC started preparing for the Wild Card round.
Honestly, the season was a roller coaster that ended in a ditch. We saw flashes of brilliance, sure. De'Von Achane was a human highlight reel for much of the year, and Jaylen Waddle did what he does best. But the consistency just wasn't there.
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Because they missed the playoffs, there is no "today" for the 2025 Dolphins. The NFL is currently moving into the Divisional Round, which starts tomorrow, January 17th.
Who Is Playing If Not Miami?
If you just need a football fix, you'll have to wait until tomorrow. The Divisional Playoff schedule is locked in, and it’s actually a pretty wild slate of games.
- Saturday, Jan 17: The Denver Broncos host the Buffalo Bills at 4:30 PM ET. Later that night, the Seattle Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers at 8:00 PM ET.
- Sunday, Jan 18: The New England Patriots (who really beat up on us in the finale) host the Houston Texans at 3:00 PM ET. Then, the Chicago Bears face the Los Angeles Rams at 6:30 PM ET.
Watching the Bills and Patriots continue their seasons while we sit on the couch? Yeah, it stings.
Why the Dolphins Are Watching From Home
A lot of people are asking "what time is the Dolphins game on today" because they expected this roster to be a lock for the postseason. On paper, it looked great. In reality, the wheels came off mid-season.
Chris Grier, the longtime General Manager, actually parted ways with the team back in October after a miserable 2-7 start. Champ Kelly took over as the interim GM and actually managed to steer the ship to a 5-3 finish over the final eight games. It was a valiant effort, but you can’t dig a hole that deep in the NFL and expect to see daylight.
Mike McDaniel is still at the helm for now, but the questions in Miami are getting louder. We saw a quarterback shift late in the season, too. Tua Tagovailoa dealt with his share of struggles, and we even saw the team turn to Quinn Ewers for the final few games of the year.
The Playoff Drought Continues
This marks the second year in a row that Miami has failed to qualify for the postseason. For a fan base that remembers the high-flying days of the past, this "7-10" purgatory is getting old.
The defense had its moments—Jordyn Brooks was a tackling machine and earned a first-team All-Pro nod—but the offense lacked that "finish" we saw back in 2023. When you lose to the Bengals 45-21 in Week 16 with everything on the line, you don't really deserve a playoff spot.
What’s Next for the Fins?
So, if there's no game today, what are the Dolphins actually doing?
They are in "evaluation mode." This is the part of the year where the front office looks at every single contract, every snap of film, and every injury report to decide who stays and who goes.
- The GM Search: The biggest priority is finding a permanent General Manager. Champ Kelly did a decent job as the interim, but will Stephen Ross go for a "big fish" candidate from a winning organization?
- The QB Room: Is the Quinn Ewers experiment the future, or was that just a look at a young arm? Tua’s future in Miami is the biggest talking point at every sports bar from Homestead to Jupiter.
- The 2026 Draft: Because they finished 7-10, the Dolphins will have a decent draft pick. Not a "top 3" franchise-changer, but high enough to snag a Day 1 starter on the offensive line or in the secondary.
Important Dates to Circle
Since you can't watch them today, you might as well look forward to when things get interesting again.
The NFL Scouting Combine usually kicks off in late February. That’s where the 2026 roster actually begins to take shape. Then you’ve got Free Agency in March. That's when we'll see if the Dolphins are going to be aggressive or if they’re going to tighten the belt and rebuild.
The 2026 schedule won't even be released until May. We already know who we're playing (Buffalo, New England, NY Jets, Green Bay, and Detroit are all on the list), but we won't know the "when" for months.
Basically, it's a long wait.
Summary for Fans
Stop looking for the channel. The game isn't on.
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The Miami Dolphins season ended on January 4, 2026. While it’s disappointing to miss out on the playoff atmosphere today, the focus has shifted entirely to the 2026 season. If you want to see football this weekend, you'll have to settle for watching the rivals in the Divisional Round starting tomorrow.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the final 2025-2026 stats on the official Dolphins website to see who actually performed well during the 5-3 stretch.
- Monitor news regarding the General Manager search; this hire will dictate the next five years of Miami football.
- Watch the Bills vs. Broncos game tomorrow to scout the division competition for next season.