Miami Dolphins 2026 game-by-game predictions after schedule release

Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez shares a kiss with his wife Emma prior to the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez celebrates an interception against UCF during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Dec 6, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) gets into position during the game between the Red Raiders and the Cougars at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez makes the tackle against BYU during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez gets up after making a tackle against BYU during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Texas Tech players Jacob Rodriguez and Behren Morton hype each other up during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jacob Rodriguez walks the field before the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Jacob Rodriguez stands with Joey and Debbie McGuire during Texas Tech's senior day ceremony before a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Jacob Rodriguez stands with Joey and Debbie McGuire during Texas Tech's senior day ceremony before a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Jacob Rodriguez lifts the trophy after Texas Tech defeated BYU in the Big 12 Conference championship game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez shares a kiss with his wife Emma prior to the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez celebrates an interception against UCF during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Dec 6, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) gets into position during the game between the Red Raiders and the Cougars at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez makes the tackle against BYU during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez gets up after making a tackle against BYU during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

8 / 12

Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Texas Tech players Jacob Rodriguez and Behren Morton hype each other up during a Big 12 Conference football game, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (LB21) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Meet linebacker Jacob Rodriguez Dolphins' second-round NFL draft pick

Jacob Rodriguez walks the field before the Texas Tech football team's spring game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Setting a strong culture of toughness, discipline, smarts and effort is far more important for Hafley and the Dolphins than win-loss record in 2026 (even though they will play hard and try to win).

That said, here are way-too-early game-by-game predictions from Joe Schad of The Palm Beach Post:

Week 1: at Raiders (W, 1-0); Sunday 9/13

Miami confuses rookie QB Fernando Mendoza, the smart Miami native.

The Pick: Dolphins 28, Raiders 17

Week 2: at 49ers (L, 1-1); Sunday 9/20

Miami's version of Shanahan offense falls short to an actual Shanahan.

The Pick: 49ers 34, Dolphins 21

Week 3: vs. Chiefs (L, 1-2); Sunday, 9/27

Miami can't stop Kenneth Walker III, who posts 199 rushing yards.

The Pick: Chiefs 30, Dolphins 17

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Week 4: at Vikings (L, 1-3); Sunday 10/4

Miami has a hard time with Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

The Pick: Vikings 28, Dolphins 3

Week 5: vs. Bengals (L, 1-4); Sunday 10/11

Miami loses as they continually run into new Cincy DT Dexter Lawrence.

The Pick: Bengals 24, Dolphins 17

Week 6: BYE; Sunday 10/18

Week 7: at Jets (W, 2-4); Sunday 10/25

Miami wins despite a pick six interception return by Minkah Fitzpatrick of Jets.

The Pick: Dolphins 20, Jets 17

May 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley works with his players during rookie minicamp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Week 8: vs. Patriots (L, 2-5), Sunday 11/1

Miami keeps it close, as New England seems distracted, but can't pull upset.

The Pick: Patriots 21, Dolphins 17;

Week 9: vs. Lions (L, 2-6); Sunday 11/8

Miami coach Jeff Hafley and Detroit coach Dan Campbell engage in pregame shoving match.

The Pick: Lions 28, Dolphins 24

Week 10: at Colts (W, 3-6); Sunday, 11/15

Miami exacts revenge for 33-8 season-opening loss at Indianapolis last season.

The Pick: Dolphins 33, Colts 8

Sep 7, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Week 11: at Bills (L, 3-7); Sunday 11/22

Miami falls as Bradley Chubb picks up two sacks of old mates.

The Pick: Bills 34, Dolphins 14

Week 12: vs. New York Jets (W, 4-7); Sunday 11/29

Dolphins sack Geno Smith seven times in eye-opening blowout win.

The Pick: Dolphins 31, Jets 13

Sep 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) celebrates during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Week 13: at Broncos (L, 4-8); Sunday 12/6

Miami loses as Jaylen Waddle scores two TDs and does two waddles.

The Pick: Broncos 40, Dolphins 21

Week 14: vs. Bears (W, 5-8); Sunday 12/13

Miami stuns former Dolphins assistant Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, who expresses sadness.

The Pick: Dolphins 21, Bears 20;

Week 15: at Packers (L, 5-9); Sunday 12/20

Malik Willis and Jeff Hafley come up short in return to Wisconsin.

The Pick: Packers 34, Dolphins 17

Week 16: vs. Chargers (L, 5-10); Sunday 12/27

Miami falls to former HC Mike McDaniel, who calls six trick plays.

The Pick: Chargers 31, Dolphins 13

January 27, 2026; El Segundo, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel speaks at introductory press conference at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Week 17: vs. Bills (L, 5-11); Sunday 1/3

Miami falls to new Bills coach Joe Brady of Pembroke Pines, FL.

The Pick: Bills 31, Dolphins 21

Week 18: at Patriots (L, 5-12); TBD

Miami falls in Foxborough as former Dolphin Julian Hill catches a TD.

The Pick: Patriots 24, Dolphins 21

Way-too-early Dolphins prediction: 5-12

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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins predictions, picks for every game on 2026 schedule