The Dolphins finished 10-6 and 9-8 in the final two seasons under former head coach Brian Flores. That was the first time they enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons since 2002-03.
Unfortunately, Miami didn't make the AFC playoffs, even as a wild-card team, in either season. That's surprising given there are now seven postseason berths available.
Those results do set up higher expectations for Flores' young offensive-minded replacement, Mike McDaniel. They were active in NFL free agency to boost QB Tua Tagovailoa in Year 3, with wide receiver Tyreek Hill headlining six new offensive starters to support Jaylen Waddle. Defensively, minus Flores' influence, there remain major question marks on all three levels.
In the some respects, the Dolphins are facing a make-or-break season. In others, they just represent a team with a wide range of record outcomes.
Here is a complete breakdown of the Dolphins’ 2022 schedule, including dates, start times and analysis for all 17 games.
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Miami Dolphins schedule 2022
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 11 | vs. Patriots | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 2 | Sept. 18 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 3 | Sept. 25 | vs. Bills | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 4 | Sept. 29 (TNF) | at Bengals | 8:15 p.m. ET | Amazon Prime |
| 5 | Oct. 9 | at Jets | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 6 | Oct. 16 | vs. Vikings | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 7 | Oct. 23 (SNF) | vs. Steelers | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 8 | Oct. 30 | at Lions | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 9 | Nov. 6 | at Bears | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 10 | Nov. 13 | vs. Browns | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 11 | BYE | BYE | BYE | BYE |
| 12 | Nov. 27 | vs. Texans | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 13 | Dec. 4 | at 49ers | 4 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 14 | Dec. 11 | at Chargers | 4 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 15 | Dec. 17 (Saturday) | at Bills | 8:15 p.m. | NFLN |
| 16 | Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) | vs. Packers | 1 p.m. ET | FOX |
| 17 | Jan. 1 | at Patriots | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 18 | Jan. 7 or 8 | vs. Jets | TBD | TBD |
The Dolphins have a pretty fair draw in the division rotations outside of the AFC East. They get to play the brutal AFC North, balanced by the mostly manageable NFC North.
The third-place schedule is a mixed bag. They do get the Texans from the AFC South but they are offset by the Chargers and 49ers from the Wests.
Dolphins' strength of schedule
The Dolphins have the 21st-toughest (or the 12th-easiest) schedule based on the combined 2021 record and winning percentage (138-149-2, .481) of their 2022 opponents. That's the best situation among the AFC East teams. Only four AFC teams have it easier, including the Ravens — whom the Dolphins play on the road — and the three non-Texans teams in the South.
MORE: Strength of schedule for all 32 NFL teams in 2022
Toughest Tests: Start on the road, where the Dolphins must face the rough Northeast gauntlet in their own division, stamped by returning playoff hosts Buffalo and New England. Then they also need to go full cross-country twice to California to play the 49ers and Chargers. Then the three home games against the Browns, Steelers and Packers will feel like away games with visiting fans packing South Florida.
Biggest Breaks: The Dolphins need to take advantage of the two potential free spaces on the schedule, the Texans at home and the Lions on the road. The Jets and Bears, with their rebuilding states led by second-year QBs, offer chances for three more wins. The Dolphins also need to exploit the early season heat and overall comfortable home weather to build on their 6-3 home record of 2021.
Bottom Line: The Dolphins have one fewer home game than last season. They face four returning playoff teams on the road and two more that should make it this year, the Chargers and Ravens. That's the same case at home, adding in the more dangerous Browns and Vikings. Miami will be more competitive offensively, but the defensive issues will cause a slight slide for McDaniel's fresh start.
Record Prediction: 7-10