Can the Miami Dolphins Turn Their Season Around?
The Miami Dolphins are staring down early-season adversity, and questions are already swirling about the direction of the franchise under head coach Mike McDaniel. After two straight losses to open the 2025 campaign — including a lopsided 25-point defeat at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts in Week One — Miami finds itself at the bottom of the AFC standings in both points scored and points allowed. For a team built around explosive speed and playmaking, the lack of offensive production is especially alarming. Now, after Week Three, the Dolphins faced an uphill battle on "Thursday Night Football" against the Buffalo Bills, their AFC East rival and a perennial Super Bowl contender. The Bills continued to consistently outclass the Dolphins, and McDaniel has yet to find the formula to leapfrog them in the division standings.
Still, it may be premature to bury the Dolphins. McDaniel’s track record shows flashes of brilliance — two playoff berths in three seasons and an offense that, at its best, can light up the scoreboard. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that while players are frustrated, there’s no sign of panic or a fractured locker room. That kind of buy-in matters, especially in September when there’s still time to course-correct. The reality, however, is that patience is thin in the NFL. ESPN’s Peter Schrager pointed to Week Four against the New York Jets as a potential make-or-break moment for McDaniel. A four-loss start, particularly with back-to-back primetime losses, could push owner Stephen Ross to make a drastic move.
For the Dolphins to turn things around, several factors must align. Tua Tagovailoa needs to regain his rhythm and stay healthy, the offensive line must improve in pass protection, and a defense that has given up far too many chunk plays needs to rediscover its edge. Miami still has enough talent — from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on offense to playmakers like Jevon Holland on defense — to claw back into contention. The path isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible either. If Miami can rally to take care of business against the Jets, Panthers, and Raiders, the narrative shifts quickly. The Dolphins are teetering — but the season isn’t lost yet.
