What’s up, Fins Fam? 🐬 The beach isn’t the only thing sizzling in Miami this year—the Dolphins are heading into 2025 with a roster shakeup, major money moves, and more drama than a Hard Rock Stadium tailgate in July.
Tua’s rocking a $212M “show-me” contract, the defense got a glam reboot with Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Darren Waller just strutted into the tight end room like he owns it. But let’s be real: between Tyreek Hill trade whispers and the Jalen Ramsey exit, the vibes have been… complicated.
The 2025 schedule? Oh, honey—it’s stacked. We’re talking primetime spotlights, passport stamps, and a brutal three-game gauntlet before the bye. Every week’s a test of whether this team is ready to rise or just riding on reputation.
So let’s spill the tea and break down the matchups—because this season, Miami isn’t just playing for pride… they’re playing to prove they belong.
🐬🔥 Biggest Shock of the Offseason: Ramsey OUT, Minkah IN 🔥🐬
💔 Trading away Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith caught Fins fans off guard…two high-profile names shipped out in a single swoop, sending ripple effects through the locker room. (The Phinsider)
✨ In their place, Miami made a bold move: bringing back Minkah Fitzpatrick, a former Dolphin turned All-Pro safety. His leadership and swagger could reshape the secondary into something fierce. (CBS Sports)
🧠 On offense, Darren Waller was signed to fill the tight end void. He’s a risk—injury history and all—but if he stays healthy, he gives Tua a dynamic red zone option Miami’s lacked for years. (The Phinsider)
🚨 Meanwhile, whispers of a Tyreek Hill trade stirred major headlines. Though the star wideout stayed put, the noise raised eyebrows about chemistry in the building. (Times of India)
💵 And let’s talk money: Tua’s $212M extension was the Dolphins’ loudest “we believe in you” yet. But it comes with serious pressure—durability questions, playoff expectations, and all eyes on QB1. (ESPN)
🐬 Dolphins Game-by-Game Chargers Schedule & Predictions (Joe Schad’s Picks)
- Week 1: Sunday, Sept 7 • 1:00 p.m. ET – @ Colts – ✅ Win
Miami dresses down ex-Dolphins assistant Lou Anarumo’s defense in a statement opener — pick: Dolphins 48, Colts 20. - Week 2: Sept 14 • 1:00 p.m. ET – vs Patriots – ✅ Win
New coach Vrabel won’t phase them — Miami takes it 23–17. - Week 3: Sept 18 • 8:15 p.m. ET – @ Bills (TNF) – 🔻 Loss
Bills stay dominant in the East — 34–24, Buffalo. - Week 4: Sept 29 • 7:15 p.m. ET – vs Jets (MNF) – ✅ Win
Home comfort edges them out 23–21 over the Jets. - Week 5: Oct 5 • 1:00 p.m. ET – @ Panthers – ✅ Win
Bryce Young isn’t Tua — finish 31–7, Fins. - Week 6: Oct 12 • 1:00 p.m. ET – vs Chargers – 🔻 Loss
Charger offense strikes late: 34–31, LA. - Week 7: Oct 19 • 1:00 p.m. ET – @ Browns – ✅ Win
They dominate Cleveland’s secondary 28–12. - Week 8: Oct 26 • 1:00 p.m. ET – @ Falcons – ✅ Win
Penix Jr. vs Tua — Miami comes out on top 28–23. - Week 9: Oct 30 • 8:15 p.m. ET – vs Ravens – 🔻 Loss
Harbaugh’s revenge game: 34–14, Baltimore. - Week 10: Nov 9 • 1:00 p.m. ET – vs Bills – 🔻 Loss
Again beaten by Buffalo: 30–27 Bills. - Week 11: Nov 16 • 9:30 a.m. ET – vs Commanders (Madrid) – 🔻 Loss
International slip-up: 31–28, Commanders edge them. - Week 12: BYE
Rest + reset after jet-lag city. - Week 13: Nov 30 • 1:00 p.m. ET – vs Saints – ✅ Win
Saints crumble: Fins 34–20 them. - Week 14: Dec 7 • 1:00 p.m. ET – @ Jets – ✅ Win
Divisional revenge served 21–18. - Week 15: Dec 15 • 8:15 p.m. ET – @ Steelers (MNF) – ✅ Win
Cold night, warm win: 24–21, Miami. - Week 16: Dec 21 • 8:20 p.m. ET – vs Bengals – 🔻 Loss
Burrow buzzer-beats them: 30–21, Cincy. - Week 17: Dec 28 • 1:00 p.m. ET – vs Buccaneers – 🔻 Loss
Tampa pulls off a tight one: 28–27 Bucs. - Week 18: Jan 3/4 – @ Patriots – ✅ Win
Season finale upset: Dolphins 24–21 in Foxboro.
📊 Joe Schad’s Season Snapshot
- Final Record: 10–7, per Schad’s forecast
- Strength of Schedule: 11th easiest
- Key focus: Toughest games cluster in November vs Ravens, Bills, Commanders
🎉 Dolphins 2025 Primetime & International Highlights
Spotlight moments where Miami shines under the brightest lights
- Week 3: Thursday, Sept 18 @ Bills (TNF, Prime Video) – Early AFC East test in Buffalo.
- Week 4: Monday, Sept 29 vs Jets (MNF, ESPN) – Back-to-back primetime drama following Thursday’s showdown.
- Week 9: Thursday, Oct 30 vs Ravens (TNF, Prime Video) – Halloween clashes at home.
- Week 11: Sunday, Nov 16 vs Commanders in Madrid (NFL Network) – Miami’s first-ever game in Spain, early AM kickoff.
- Week 15: Monday, Dec 15 @ Steelers (MNF, ESPN/ABC) – Cold-weather Monday night test.
- Week 16: Sunday, Dec 21 vs Bengals (SNF, NBC/Peacock) – Sunday Night spotlight vs. Burrow.
That makes six marquee matchups, five national primetime and one high-drama international event, showing the league expects Miami to deliver big moments.
📊 Dolphins 2025 Schedule Strength & Outlook
- Strength of Schedule: Ranked as the 11th…easiest in the league
- Opponent win rate: .474, placing Miami tied for 21st easiest schedule.
- Favorable early stretch: Only two playoff-caliber teams among the first six matchups (Bills & Chargers), offering a chance to build momentum before the heavy hitters arrive.
- Tough November gauntlet: A heated trio of Ravens, Bills, and Commanders, capped off with a well-timed Week 12 bye. This stretch could define the season.
- Climate management: Only three cold-weather games late in the year @ Jets, @ Steelers, and @ Patriots in Week 18—mitigating Miami’s traditional late-season frost risk.
✨ Final Word on the 2025 Miami Dolphins Season
Alright, Fins fans, 2025 is looking like a whole mood. Coach McDaniel’s got his squad dialed in with Tua and Tyreek leading the charge, and honey, the schedule’s serving up some real chances to shine.
The start of the season? Totally winnable, perfect for building that confidence and swagger. But don’t blink…November hits with some serious heavyweight matchups (we see you, Ravens, Bills, and Commanders). That stretch will really test if Miami’s got that playoff magic this year.
Primetime games, Monday night lights, even a glam trip to Madrid, the NFL knows Miami is the city to watch. If the offense stays lit and the defense gets fierce, 10 wins and a playoff spot? Yes, please.
Get ready for drama, thrills, and all the feels. The Dolphins are ready to make waves, and we’re here for every splash.
📚 Sources & Citations:
- Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post — 2025 Game-by-Game Predictions
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/miami-dolphins-2025-game-game-002019799.html - Five Reasons Sports — Miami Dolphins 2025 Schedule Preview
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/news/miami-dolphins-2025-schedule-chasing-a-playoff-return-with-5-primetime-games-and-a-madrid-spotlight - CBS Sports — NFL 2025 Strength of Schedule Rankings
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2025-nfl-strength-of-schedule-for-all-32-teams-giants-and-bears-facing-rough-slates-49ers-have-it-easiest/ - Sports Illustrated — Dolphins Schedule Analysis
https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-schedule-ranked-among-nfl-s-easiest-01jvmr96zmf6 - Yardbarker — 2025 NFL Schedule Analysis
https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/miami_dolphins_2025_nfl_schedule_analysis/s1_13132_42215594 - Five Reasons Sports — Opportunity Knocks: Favorable 2025 Schedule
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/voices/opportunity-knocks-a-favorable-2025-schedule-gives-dolphins-a-clear-path-to-contend
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