Caleb Harris
O full 2024 NFL schedule has been released and there are striking clashes scattered throughout. But what about the outstanding teams? The Miami Dolphins could be one of them, fresh off their second straight playoff appearance under head coach Mike McDaniel. With a star-studded offense led by former MVP candidate Tua Tagovailoa, Miami is finally looking to make some noise in the postseason, but the club will face other potential heavyweights like the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets in the AFC East.
How does the Dolphins’ schedule help – or hurt – their cause? Below, you’ll find a complete look at the 17-game season, with key matchups to watch and game-by-game predictions:
Complete Dolphins 2024 Schedule
*All Eastern times
The Dolphins’ five must-see games
5. Week 9 at Bills: The Dolphins get their first taste of AFC East rivals as early as Week 2, but this rematch could be even more crucial in the midst of the division race, especially considering it will require a trip to Buffalo in November.
4. Week 15 at Texans: Few clubs are poised to make a more substantial leap into true AFC contention than Houston, which will host this year-end event. The battle between two young gunslingers CJ Stroud and Tua Tagovailoa could turn this into a shootout.
3. Week 13 at Packers: The cap for this year’s Thanksgiving tripleheader, that’s not necessarily that important to the Dolphins’ standing in the AFC thanks to their cross-conference opponent, but going to Lambeau for a primetime game in late November against Jordan Love and Co.? This could be a real test.
2. Week 18 at Jets: This may ultimately serve as a test of the Tua era, or at least its immediate future. In the final week of the regular season, against a presumably tough Jets team in the New Jersey cold, the Dolphins could very well be fighting for their playoff lives.
1. Week 16 vs. Week 16 49ers: It’s Mike McDaniel versus his former mentor, Kyle Shanahan. More than that, it is a clash with the current NFC champions, who undoubtedly still have the best and most balanced squad in the world. NFL. Coming towards the end of the year with playoffs potentially on the line, it will be a priority watch.
Game-by-game predictions
Note: Opponents’ projected over/under win totals courtesy of BetMGM.
- Week 1 vs. Week 1 Jaguars (8.5): Trevor Lawrence is a tough guy, but he might still be adapting to his remade receiving corps here. Deliver to the Dolphins up close. V (1-0)
- Week 2 vs. Accounts (10.5): It’s good that Miami will host this first rivalry matchup considering it will be a short week, but still, turning around to beat Josh Allen on Thursday is a tall order. I (1-1)
- Week 3 at Seahawks (7.5): Mike Macdonald has the intelligence to create an aggressive game plan for Seattle’s defense, but Miami’s weapons should still be very explosive. V (2-1)
- Week 4 vs. Week 4 Titans (6.5): Tennessee is an underrated candidate to break out after adding help in Will Levis, but with an extra day of rest on Monday, Miami has the edge. V (3-1)
- Week 5 at Patriots (5.5): Will Drake Maye be in Central New England at this point? Regardless, the Patriots probably don’t have the weaponry to keep up. V (4-1)
- Week 6: Bye
- Week 7 at Colts (8.5): Anthony Richardson should be back in Indianapolis, but will he still be standing midway through the season? We will say this. But his aerial unpredictability could help Miami. V (5-1)
- Week 8 vs. Week 8 Cardinals (6.5): This is the culmination of Miami. Cruising after the bye, they should be able to feast on Jonathan Gannon’s undermanned and still rebuilding defense. V (6-1)
- Week 9 at Bills (10.5): Second round, but this time in Buffalo, with the air getting colder. Don’t rule out a back-and-forth affair, but the Bills still have the best quarterback off the script. L (6-2)
- Week 10 at Rams (8.5): The Dolphins have an extra day of rest for Monday night’s matchup, but they will also play their second straight game on the road against Sean McVay’s offense. L (6-3)
- Week 11 vs. Week 11 Raiders (6.5): This seems like a potentially disappointing spot, especially if Las Vegas has the gritty Gardner Minshew under center. But the Raiders’ secondary isn’t ready. V (7-3)
- Week 12 vs. Week 12 Patriots (5.5): It will be a bit of a surprise if Maye isn’t already at center. Still, Jerod Mayo’s squad feels at least a year away from real competition. V (8-3)
- Week 13 at Packers (9.5): Thanksgiving is a great stage for Miami to prove it is as good as its record. But on the road, in the cold, on a short week, against Jordan Love? Look. me (8-4)
- Week 14 vs. Week 14 Jets (9.5): The first of two year-end clashes with Gang Green, this is also the start of a brutal stretch. But a split with rivals seems reasonable. V (9-4)
- Week 15 at Texans (9.5): Can Miami score points? Clear. But so can CJ Stroud and Co. This seems like a big spot for Stefon Diggs in Houston. me (9-5)
- Week 16 vs. Week 16 49ers (11.5): A tough draw, returning home to host the defending NFC champions after a trip to Houston. Brock Purdy and the 49ers’ running game could haunt Miami. me (9-6)
- Week 17 at Browns (8.5): “Sunday Night Football” should give the Dolphins a good chance to bounce back. Who knows if Deshaun Watson will be under center? V (10-6)
- Week 18 at Jets (9.5): This could easily decide the split, or at least a wildcard spot. It’s Miami’s third road game in four weeks. In the cold. Against, presumably, Aaron Rodgers. me (10-7)
