Honestly, if you're looking for a kickoff time or a channel for the Fins right now, I've got some tough news. The Miami Dolphins are not playing today, January 15, 2026. While the NFL is currently heating up for the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Miami is watching from the couch.
They finished their season a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't exactly the fairy tale ending fans were hoping for when the 2025 season kicked off. After a 7-10 finish, the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention following their Week 18 loss to the New England Patriots.
So, instead of a game today, the "action" is happening in the front office. Basically, the team is in a total rebuild mode. If you’re a die-hard fan, your "game day" today involves refreshing Twitter (or X) to see who the next head coach might be.
Who Do The Miami Dolphins Play Today? The Search for a New Leader
Since there's no game on the schedule, the real opponent for Miami right now is the clock. They fired Mike McDaniel on January 8, 2026, just days after the season wrapped up. It was a move that divided the fanbase, but the front office clearly felt a change was needed after missing the postseason for two straight years.
Today, January 15, is actually a huge day for the franchise's future. Reports indicate the team is conducting high-stakes interviews.
- Robert Saleh: The current 49ers Defensive Coordinator is a hot name.
- Jesse Minter: The Chargers DC is also on the docket for a chat today.
- Mike Tomlin: He’s the "whale" everyone in Miami is talking about after he stepped down from the Steelers.
It’s a weird feeling. Usually, mid-January is when you want to be worrying about Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes. Instead, Dolphins fans are scouting coordinators and hoping the new GM, Jon-Eric Sullivan, can turn the ship around.
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What Happened to the 2025 Season?
You might be wondering how we got here. The Dolphins started the 2025 season with high hopes, but things went sideways fast. They actually lost their first three games, including a rough 33-8 blowout against the Colts.
They had some bright spots, sure. Beating the Jets 27-21 in September felt good. Winning that international game in Madrid against the Commanders was a vibe. But consistency? It just wasn't there. They finished 3rd in the AFC East, well behind the Patriots and the Bills.
When you look at the stats, it's pretty clear why they aren't playing today. They gave up 424 points over the season. You can’t win in this league when your defense is a sieve, especially in a division with elite quarterbacks.
The 2026 Opponents Are Already Set
Even though we don't have a game today, we actually know who the Miami Dolphins play in the 2026 season. The NFL uses a formula for this, so the list is already out there even if the specific dates won't be announced until May.
Next year, the Dolphins will have a tough road. They’ll play their usual AFC East rivals—the Bills, Jets, and Patriots—twice each. Beyond that, they’re slated to face the NFC North and the AFC West.
Home Games at Hard Rock Stadium:
- Buffalo Bills
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- Kansas City Chiefs (Yikes.)
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- Cincinnati Bengals
Away Games:
- Buffalo Bills
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- San Francisco 49ers
That away schedule looks brutal. Trips to Lambeau and San Francisco are never easy, especially late in the year.
What to Watch Today Instead
Since you can't watch the Dolphins, you might as well keep an eye on the teams that actually made it. The AFC Divisional round is where the real drama is.
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Keep an eye on the Buffalo Bills. They’re playing the Denver Broncos this weekend. If you’re a "misery loves company" kind of fan, you can watch Josh Allen and see if the Bills finally stumble. Or, you can check out the New England Patriots, who are surprisingly back in the hunt as the No. 2 seed. It’s annoying, I know.
Key Offseason Dates to Circle
Since "Who do the Miami Dolphins play today?" is answered with "nobody," your focus shifts to the offseason calendar. This is where the 2026 team is actually built.
- Head Coach Hiring: Likely happening in the next 7-10 days.
- NFL Combine: Late February. This is where we see if Miami targets a new QB or builds that defensive line.
- Free Agency: Starts in mid-March. Expect Miami to be aggressive with their cap space.
- 2026 NFL Draft: April. Miami needs impact players immediately.
The best thing you can do right now is stay tuned to the coaching search. The identity of this team is going to change completely in the next few weeks. While it sucks there's no game today, the moves made this afternoon in those interview rooms will determine if we're asking this same question next January—or if we'll actually be looking for a kickoff time.
Check the local Miami sports radio or the major insiders like Ian Rapoport for updates on the Saleh and Minter interviews happening today. That's your "game" for this Thursday.