If you're frantically checking your sportsbook app or trying to set a fantasy lineup for the Dolphins, I've got some tough news for you. The short answer to who do the dolphins play next week is: nobody.
Miami's 2025-2026 season officially hit the brick wall on January 4, 2026, up in the freezing confines of Foxborough. That 38-10 loss to the New England Patriots wasn't just a regular-season finale; it was a mercy killing for a season that promised the world and delivered a 7-10 record.
While the rest of the AFC East—specifically those annoying Buffalo Bills and the surprisingly dominant Patriots—are gearing up for Divisional Round battles this coming weekend, the Dolphins are currently in "exit interview" mode. There's no game next week. There's no game the week after. For Mike McDaniel and his crew, the next time they'll take the field for a meaningful snap won't be until September 2026.
Why the Dolphins Aren't Playing Next Week
Honestly, it’s been a weird year in South Florida. We all saw the flashes of brilliance, but the consistency just wasn't there. After starting the season 1-6, the team actually looked like they might pull off a miracle. They won five of six games in the middle of the stretch, and for a minute there, we were all doing the math on Wild Card tiebreakers.
Then reality set in.
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The Week 15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers was the dagger. It officially eliminated Miami from the postseason for the second straight year. By the time they rolled into Week 18 against New England, the vibes were already cooked.
The Post-Mortem of the 2025 Season
- The Front Office Shakeup: Remember back in October when Chris Grier and the team parted ways? That 2-7 start was too much for Stephen Ross to stomach. Champ Kelly stepped in as the interim GM and actually went 5-3, which is... kinda impressive given the mess he inherited.
- The Madrid Game: We can't talk about this season without mentioning that Week 11 thriller in Spain. Beating Washington 16-13 in overtime at the Santiago Bernabéu was probably the high point of the year.
- Individual Bright Spots: De'Von Achane still looks like a track star in pads, and Jordyn Brooks earned a well-deserved First-Team All-Pro nod. But individual accolades don't buy you a ticket to the Divisional Round.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents Are Already Set
Since there's no game next week, the only thing left to do is look at the 2026 schedule. We don't have the exact dates yet—the NFL likes to wait until May to drop that glorious calendar—but we do know exactly who is coming to Hard Rock Stadium and where the Fins are traveling.
The 2026 rotation has Miami facing some heavy hitters. If you're planning a road trip, you might want to start looking at flights for these cities.
2026 Away Games
Miami has a brutal travel schedule next year. They’ll be heading to Buffalo, New England, and New Jersey for the usual divisional scraps. But the non-divisional slate is where it gets interesting. They have to fly to Denver, Green Bay, and Las Vegas.
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Playing at Lambeau Field is always a "bucket list" thing for fans, but for the team, it's usually a recipe for frozen fingers and a loss. They also have a trip to Minnesota and a very tough road game against the San Francisco 49ers.
2026 Home Games
Back at Hard Rock Stadium, the Dolphins will host the Bills, Patriots, and Jets. Beyond the AFC East, they’ve got the Kansas City Chiefs coming to town. Having Patrick Mahomes in Miami is always a marquee event, even if it's a nightmare for the secondary.
They also host the Los Angeles Chargers, the Chicago Bears, and the Detroit Lions. The Lions game will be a fun one—those two offenses usually turn into a track meet. Rounding out the home schedule is a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
What Fans Should Do Next Week Instead
Since you won't be watching Tua or Achane next Sunday, you’ve basically got two choices. You can mope about the 7-10 finish, or you can scout the competition.
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The Divisional Round of the playoffs is where the "real" football happens. On Saturday, January 17, you’ve got the Buffalo Bills traveling to Denver to take on the Broncos at 4:30 PM ET. Later that night, the 49ers and Seahawks are going at it.
Sunday, January 18, features the Houston Texans visiting those pesky New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET. It’s a bitter pill to swallow seeing two of Miami's biggest rivals still in the hunt while the Dolphins are booking tee times at the golf course, but that’s the NFL.
Actionable Steps for Dolphins Fans
Don't let the lack of a game next week get you down. Here is how you can stay plugged in during the long wait for the 2026 kickoff:
- Monitor the GM Search: Champ Kelly did a solid job as interim, but the search for a permanent General Manager is the biggest storyline of the spring. Whoever takes the job will decide the fate of the current roster.
- Draft Prep: Start looking at mock drafts. With a 7-10 record, Miami is picking in the middle of the first round. They desperately need help on the offensive line and perhaps some more depth in the secondary.
- Free Agency Window: The "Legal Tampering" period doesn't start until March, but the front office is already identifying targets. Keep an eye on the salary cap—Miami has some tough decisions to make with veteran contracts.
The answer to who do the dolphins play next week is ultimately a reminder of work left to do. The 2025 season had its moments, but "close enough" doesn't get you a playoff game. Until the 2026 schedule is finalized this spring, the only thing the Dolphins are playing is the waiting game.