Dolphins Are the Same Through Seven Games, but Have Much Better Reasons for Hope
A familiar start on paper
After seven games, Miami has the same 1-6 record it had at this stage last year. In each season, its only victory came against the New York Jets; the winless team in the standings was the Chargers this year and the Jets last year.
Some statistical comparisons are similarly close. The Dolphins ranked 27th in total offense in both seasons and recorded six takeaways each time, while their rankings in pass offense and third-down defense were also described as similar.
Why the outlook feels different
The current roster features a large group of young players who may improve with more experience. Their learning curve can help explain the rough start, while the previous roster was described as older and containing players who were underperforming or expensive.
Hafley’s leadership has also encouraged the team, according to the article. By contrast, Mike McDaniel was still considered somewhat unproven in his fourth year in 2025. There is no guarantee the new group becomes a contender, but the author sees room for hope.
Quarterbacks and defensive contrasts
The quarterback picture is not settled for Malik Willis, whose rating is 79.7; Tua Tagovailoa had an 82.8 rating in 2025. The article contrasts that uncertainty with Tagovailoa’s seventh game last season, a poor outing in Cleveland that raised concerns about his declining play.
Last year’s team had a stronger pass rush, though it was still not great, with Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb on the roster. The 2025 Dolphins reached 1-6 after four close defeats and gave up more than 30 points four times; this year’s team had three close losses, while its main difficulty was scoring 13 points or fewer in its first four games.
A tougher road ahead
Miami’s remaining 2026 schedule is described as more daunting than the final 10 games faced by the 2025 team. The less-proven roster, combined with that schedule, could lead to a considerably worse final record.
Last season began with expectations, and by the seventh game it seemed a chapter was ending. This year brought no such expectations, so the 1-6 start is less surprising or devastating to the author: the team’s new chapter is still in its early pages.
Key points
- The Dolphins are 1-6 through seven games for the second consecutive season.
- Miami ranked 27th in total offense and had six takeaways in both comparisons.
- The current roster has many young players, and Jeff Hafley’s leadership has encouraged the team.
- The 2026 schedule looks tougher than the 2025 team’s final 10 games.