The 2026 pre-season kicks off next week, and Dolphins fans are already laying out exactly which games will make or break their season. Believe me, they are not holding back. From brutal rivalries to strategic coaching battles, the fan base is buzzing with passionate, sometimes outright savage, takes on the schedule.
Rivalry Fire is Already Burning Hot
When you talk Dolphins, you know the Bills are always going to come up. Miami7 didn’t mince words, calling them “Barfallo at Home, Buffoonlo on the road, Billdos in the playoffs.” That’s some serious animosity! Dolfanjoe is already dreaming of playing spoiler, hoping to see Buffalo lose the “east title” to New England in the second to last game, then knocking the Patriots out of the “AFC East title” in the season finale. It sounds like fans are ready for war. The Jets also get plenty of heat, with “I Hate Sports” putting them on a list of the only three games they believe the Dolphins actually have a shot at winning. JUK sees the home Jets game as “on paper in August the most winnable game on the schedule.” Ouch, low expectations but high stakes. And then there’s the Chiefs. Dolfanjoe wants that home game “early in the heat” so “fat pig Kelsy lose 15 lbs. and suck on oxygen!” Talk about specific fan desires for an opponent’s suffering! Lefty5150 even smells an upset against the Chiefs, looking for a huge battle of the coaching staffs.
Showdowns and What-Ifs: The Coaching Chess Match
Beyond the rivalries, fans are hyped for some serious coaching and personnel matchups. phinette23 is circling the Chargers game for “obvious reasons,” eager to see what Mike McDaniel brings against his former team and to check out “the guy we passed on.” They also want to watch the Bengals to see “the guy we tried to tank for in action” and the Packers, not just for Hafley against his former team, but also to evaluate Jordan Love, “the other QB we passed on in 2020.” There’s a lot of “what if” energy there. PA phinphan is obsessed with game three, wondering how the coaching staff will handle going against “arguably a top three head coach of this century,” openly questioning if they will be “outclassed/outsmarted.” JUK even worries Mike could be “really good” with the Chargers, suggesting Herbert’s weaknesses might actually fit Mike’s system. That’s a fascinating take on a potential coaching masterclass.
Week 1 Fire and Early Season Tests
The first game of the season always hits different. PA phinphan sums it up: “I mean it’s the first flipping game of the season.” Both Lefty5150 and JUK are laser-focused on the opener against the Raiders. Lefty5150 is eager to see “how well this staff gets this team to go out and play in a game that requires a long flight across the country,” believing the Fins have “a real shot.” JUK hopes it can’t be “a bigger letdown than week 1 last year.” The Colts game is also a personal draw for Lefty5150, who will be there live to witness two teams “mired in mediocrity since Manning and Marino.” PA phinphan is also excited for the second game, curious how the Dolphins will “stack up against a better team,” even if the Niners have “their own share of questions.” It’s clear that the early season is all about proving themselves and setting the tone.
No matter the outlook, bleak or not, Dolphins fans are ready to strap in. That first game against the Raiders is just around the corner, and everyone’s watching to see if this staff can get the team flying across the country and playing with fire. The drama for 2026 is already off the charts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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