NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
The Miami Dolphins schedule is official for the 2025 season. After a disappointing 2024, fans are hoping key Dolphins such as Tua Tagovailoa, Jaelen Phillips, and Bradley Chubb can come back/remain healthy for the 2025 campaign. Looking ahead to the schedule:
Sun., Sept. 7 at Indianapolis Colts 1 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 14 New England Patriots 1 p.m.
Thu., Sept. 18 at Buffalo Bills 8:15 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 29 New York Jets 7:15 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 5 at Carolina Panthers 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 12 Los Angeles Chargers 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 19 at Cleveland Browns 1 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 26 at Atlanta Falcons 1 p.m.
Thu., Oct. 30 Baltimore Ravens 8:15 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 9 Buffalo Bills 1 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 16 Washington Commanders (Madrid, Spain) 9:30 a.m.*
Sun., Nov. 23 BYE WEEK
Sun., Nov. 30 New Orleans Saints 1 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 7 at New York Jets 1 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 15 at Pittsburgh Steelers 8:15 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 21 Cincinnati Bengals 8:20 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 28 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 p.m.
Jan. 3 or 4 at New England TBD
(Bold) Home Games
(*) Home Team in Away Stadium
The Dolphins have a pretty favorable schedule this season as they won’t face too many cold weather games as well as more than a two week stretch on the road. The down side of that is they will be traveling plenty as they don’t have more than two weeks at home either. It will be a double edge sword but nothing that they shouldn’t be able to overcome.
Key Matchups
Oct 30th -Nov. 6th might play the biggest role in the Dolphins season. They have to win at least one of their matchups in that 3-game stretch in order to prove they’re contenders. The Ravens always play spoiler to the Dolphins season, Buffalo and Josh Allen have dominated the Dolphins despite their last matchup coming down to a 3 point spread, and the Commanders were the surprise of the 2024 season and earned a playoff spot. If the Dolphins want to break their 25 year playoff drought, showing they can hang and win in the three games is a must.
Toughest Matchups
Dolphins fans know the stakes of the previously mentioned games, but without a crystal ball into the season, there are potentially matchups that could also derail their season. Cincinnati proved they could put up points in bunches and went all in on defense this season. If the Dolphins take them lightly, it might not go the way they plan.
Tampa Bay also is a problem. They’ve been contenders the past few years and while they’re not a division or conference rival, the battle for Florida comes at a part of the season where wins start to weigh a little heavier on your playoff chances.
Prime Time Games
The Dolphins have struggled with the spotlight on them in the past. This year they’ll get plenty of chances to prove people wrong with 5 prime time games on the schedule and once in the overseas game. At Buffalo Thursday Sept 18th, the Jets at home 12 days later, TNF against the Ravens at home on OCT 30th, the Steelers at Pitt, on Dec 15th, the Bengals at home on the 21st, and of course the Commanders in Spain.
Cold Weather Games
Ah, yes. Miami’s Achilles’ Heel, especially late in the season. Just three games this season in the cold weather and they’re big ones. The Steelers could be fighting for a playoff spot and even if the division rival Jets and Patriots don’t turn their teams around in 2025, they’re always a thorn in Miami’s side late in the season. With that said, both teams have improved this offseason and Miami needs to highlight those matchups on their calendars. If they want to show they’re competitive and can take over the division, they have to win at least 2 of the 3.
The Miami Dolphins might have the most favorable schedule they’ve had in a while but they have to go out an produce. No team is going to roll over and let them steamroll their way into the playoffs. Hell, even the Colts game last year was the game that kept them out of the playoffs the most. Other that week 13 Miami needs to not take any weeks off this season and come out with their best for all 17 games.
