Phin Phanatic

Miami Dolphins fell in love with Ryan Fitzpatrick, despite the fact that he cost the team a chance at Joe Burrow. His NFL career was 17 years long and included nine teams. He was a journeyman backup, and he believes the Dolphins are destined for failure in 2026. The former Dolphins QB predicted on the Fitz and Whit podcast that Miami could become the first team to lose 17 games in a season if they don't beat the Raiders on Sunday.

The Miami Dolphins will kick off the 2026 campaign in Sin City against the Raiders. In a year in which Miami will not be expected to have many advantages over their opponents, the Las Vegas defensive line is shaping up to be an Achilles heel for offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik to attack. It starts with their personnel. Yes, the Raiders still have Maxx Crosby after a botched trade would've sent him to the Ravens and off of Miami's schedule.

After months of anticipation, Miami Dolphins fans will finally get to see what new starting quarterback Malik Willis looks like in a real game. Week 1's contest against the Las Vegas Raiders offers Willis an opportunity to prove that general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley were right to put their faith in him, even with all of the roster deficiencies he will have to navigate.

The Miami Dolphins' wide receiver room is full of talent, but that same talent lacks the experience other teams across the league have. On Sunday, the Dolphins will kick off their 2026 season, and while most believe Bobby Slowik will lean heavily on De'Von Achane, it's the wide receiver unit that will ultimately dictate how successful that running game is. If the Dolphins don't get their WRs involved, the Raiders will tee off on Achane.

Tua Tagovailoa's career with the Atlanta Falcons is starting off exactly where it ended with the Miami Dolphins. On the sideline. The former Dolphins quarterback has been ruled out of Sunday's game after hurting his back in practice. Dolphins fans know all too well what it is like to have a QB on the roster that isn't always available. In his six seasons with Miami, Tua was able to play a full slate of 17 games just once.

The NFL can often be all about new beginnings. The Miami Dolphins are at the start of their rebuild. In Atlanta, Tua Tagovailoa has been named their Week 1 starter. But for other players, the start of the season can also mean the reality that their careers may be at an end. The Dolphins underwent significant changes this past offseason. Some moves were for the better, some were necessary, and others were to clean up a mess left by 9 years of Chris Grier.

The new look, same scheme Miami Dolphins offense will be interesting to watch this year, as Bobby Slowik puts his own spin on a system that was designed by former head coach Mike McDaniel. The system will be similar, but the Dolphins lack the same level of playmakers that McDaniel had. Slowik has to do more with less, but that isn't a bad thing. The Dolphins have unproven talent right now, but it's still talent.

When the Miami Dolphins defense is on the field in Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the entire unit will play like falling dominoes. There isn't a single player who will turn the game in Miami's favor, but rather a group effort that stymies the Raiders' plans. The Dolphins may be young, and they may be experienced, but head coach Jeff Hafley has had several weeks to put together a game plan that fits with what his players do well.

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley comes across as a nice guy. When in front of the media, he cracks jokes, smiles a lot, but gets to the point with his answers. When he leaves the podium, there is a switch. A different head coach that only the players get to see. That Hafley is much more determined and down to business. Over the last four years, that wasn't the case around the Dolphins' training facility.

The NFL season officially kicked off on Wednesday (yes, Wednesday) night. The Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks hosted the Miami Dolphins AFC East rival Patriots in a rematch of last year's big game. Throughout the offseason, the talk has centered on what the Patriots would do coming off that Super Bowl appearance. There are still 16 games left for New England, but the opening picture isn't very good. The Patriots' loss to the Seahawks wasn't the story.