If you’re checking your phone or refreshing your feed to find out what's the score for the dolphins game, there’s some news that might sting a little if you’re a fan of the Phins. As of today, January 15, 2026, the scoreboard is blank. Why? Because the Miami Dolphins’ season is officially over.
The team played their final game of the 2025-2026 regular season on January 4, and let’s just say it wasn't the cinematic ending anyone in South Florida was hoping for. They didn't make the Wild Card cut, so while teams like the Bills and Patriots are moving deep into the postseason, the Dolphins are already looking at draft boards and off-season trades.
The Last Score: How the Season Wrapped Up
The final score of the last Dolphins game was a lopsided 38-10 loss against the New England Patriots.
It was ugly. Really ugly. Playing at Gillette Stadium in the freezing January air, the Dolphins just couldn't find a rhythm. They finished the season with a 7-10 record, placing them third in the AFC East. It’s a frustrating spot to be in—not bad enough to get a top-three draft pick, but not good enough to see the "X" next to your name in the playoff standings.
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During that Week 18 finale, Quinn Ewers was under center, and while he showed flashes—specifically a 2-yard touchdown pass to Malik Washington in the second quarter—the Patriots' defense basically sat on their chest for the rest of the game. New England’s Rhamondre Stevenson went nuclear, putting up three touchdowns and 131 rushing yards.
Why the Dolphins Aren't Playing Today
You’re probably seeing NFL highlights all over the place right now because we are currently in the thick of the Divisional Round lead-up. The Wild Card games just wrapped up on January 12.
If you were hoping the Dolphins had snuck in, the math just didn't work. The AFC playoff bracket is currently dominated by:
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- The Denver Broncos (Who secured the #1 seed and a first-round bye)
- The New England Patriots (Who just beat the Chargers 16-3)
- The Buffalo Bills (Who took down the Jaguars 27-24 in a nail-biter)
- The Houston Texans (Who absolutely crushed the Steelers 30-6)
Miami's 7-10 record left them well outside the bubble. Honestly, the mid-season collapse is what really killed them. After a decent stretch where they beat the Bills 30-13 in November—snapping a miserable seven-game losing streak against Buffalo—fans thought the momentum had shifted. But losses to the Bengals and Steelers in December essentially slammed the door shut.
A Season of "What Ifs"
Looking back at the stats, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. The Dolphins had some bright spots. Malik Washington emerged as a legit threat, and De'Von Achane had games where he looked like the fastest human on grass.
But the offensive line? It was a revolving door. When you lose guys like Austin Jackson and Terron Armstead for significant stretches, your quarterback—whether it’s Tua Tagovailoa or the younger guys like Ewers—is going to be running for his life. That’s basically what happened. They struggled to run the ball in key moments, sometimes managing fewer than 50 yards on the ground in a full 60 minutes of football.
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Key Stats from the 2025-2026 Campaign
- Final Record: 7-10
- Division Standing: 3rd in AFC East
- Points Per Game: Average hovered around 21 (middle of the pack)
- Biggest Win: 34-10 against the Jets (twice, strangely enough)
- Toughest Loss: The 38-10 season-ender in Foxborough
What Fans Should Look For Next
Since there isn't a game to watch this Sunday, the focus shifts to the front office. Chris Grier and the scouting department are likely already in Mobile, Alabama, or getting ready for the Senior Bowl on January 31.
The biggest question is the quarterback room. With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, the Dolphins are in a position where they have to decide if they’re going to build around the current core or if a total "reset" is coming. They need help on the edges and significantly more depth in the secondary. Jalen Ramsey is still a force, but he can't cover everyone at the same time.
If you're looking for football to watch today, keep an eye on the Bills vs. Broncos game scheduled for this weekend. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for Dolphins fans, seeing two divisional rivals (Buffalo and New England) still alive in the hunt, but that's the reality of the AFC East right now.
Actionable Steps for Dolphins Fans
While there's no live score to track right now, you can stay ahead of the off-season curve with these steps:
- Track the Draft Order: Keep an eye on where Miami lands in the first round. Currently, they are slated for a mid-round pick, likely between 12 and 15, depending on tiebreakers.
- Monitor the Coaching Staff: Watch for any "Black Monday" fallout or coordinator changes. Usually, when a team underperforms like this, the assistant coaches are the first to go.
- Free Agency Cap Space: Check the 2026 salary cap updates. Miami has some big contracts maturing, and they’ll need to clear space if they want to be players in the March free agency market.
The score for the Dolphins right now is 0-0, just like every other team not in the playoffs, as they start the long climb back to training camp.