With NFL 2025 schedules now published, teams like Miami Dolphins can officially start to prepare for the coming season.
After finishing 8-9 last year, it was a disappointing campaign for the Dolphins, who missed the playoffs for the first time under head coach Mike McDaniel. Now entering its fourth season, McDaniel faces a pivotal year – the one where simply making the playoffs may not be enough. Miami has not won an eliminatory match since 2000, and expectations are riding.
This pressure placed McDaniel squarely among the coaches considered in the hot seat in 2025. Garrett Podell of CBS SportsIn the NFL Monday evening football game ranking, the Dolphins’ week’s match 4 of the New York Jets as a potentially decisive moment for McDaniel employment safety.
“Yes, it’s week 4, but the loser of this start to the start of the season could feel the heat at the bottom of the East AFC division,” Podell wrote. “The Miami dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel could feel that his seat warms up with a defeat here after a campaign of 8-9 in 2024 and tasting in the division classification.”
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Marcel Louis-Jacques d’Espn Echo the emergency, but noted that the dolphins could find early momentum if they capitalize on a favorable start.
“Dolphins have the opportunity to start hot in the first two months of the season, with six of their first eight games against teams that have not made the playoffs in 2024,” wrote Louis-Jacques. “Certainly, the Dolphins either, but if they want to prove last season, they could strengthen confidence and momentum with their slate at the start of the season. A potential problem: five of these first eight games are on the road.”
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Miami’s problems on the road have lingered since 2020 – they did not display a winning record far from their home during this period. Under McDaniel, the Dolphins are 28-23 in total but only 10-16 on the road.
For McDaniel to avoid being on the wrong side of the ownership of the property, he will need a healthy season in the quarter-Arrière Tua Tagovailoa. The former first round choice fought several injuries in 2024, leaving Miami’s offensive without rhythm – and their unanswered head coach.
