Miami enters the 2023 season with what appears to be one of its most talented teams in several years — and a schedule that matches in difficulty.
The Dolphins finished the 2022 campaign with a 9-8 record, a disappointing finish considering the team opened 8-3 before losing five of its last six games. Still, a Week 18 victory over the Jets was enough to slide Miami into the playoffs for the first time since 2016. But the franchise is still looking for its first playoff victory since the 2000 season.
Can second-year coach Mike McDaniel lead Miami back to the postseason and an elusive playoff victory? That will depend heavily on the health of fourth-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who missed four games in 2022 with two confirmed concussions (and a suspected third). If he can remain healthy this year, he has one of the better receiver tandems in the NFL in All-Pro Tyreek Hill and two-time 1,000-yard pass-catcher Jaylen Waddle.
The Dolphins also made several notable additions on defense, something of a weakness for the team in 2022. Miami brought on Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator and made a splash trade with the Rams to acquire Jalen Ramsey, who alongside Xavien Howard and Jevon Holland have the makings of a talented secondary.
MORE: Watch 2023 NFL games with Fubo (free trial)
Can the Dolphins take the next step with McDaniel, Tagovailoa and Co.? Here's a look at how difficult that task will be, including a complete breakdown of Miami’s 2023 schedule:
Miami Dolphins schedule 2023
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV channel |
| 1 | Sept. 10 | at Chargers | 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 2 | Sept. 17 | at Patriots (SNF) | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 3 | Sept. 24 | vs. Broncos | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 4 | Oct. 1 | at Bills | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 5 | Oct. 8 | vs. Giants | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 6 | Oct. 15 | vs. Panthers | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 7 | Oct. 22 | at Eagles (SNF) | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 8 | Oct. 29 | vs. Patriots | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 9 | Nov. 5 | vs. Chiefs (Frankfurt) | 9:30 a.m. ET | NFL Network |
| 10 | Nov. 12 | BYE | ||
| 11 | Nov. 19 | vs. Raiders | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 12 | Nov. 24 | at Jets (Fri.) | 3 p.m. ET | Amazon Prime |
| 13 | Dec. 3 | at Commanders | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 14 | Dec. 11 | vs. Titans (MNF) | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 15 | Dec. 17 | vs. Jets | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 16 | Dec. 24 | vs. Cowboys | 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 17 | Dec. 31 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 18 | Jan. 6/7 | vs. Bills | TBD | TBD |
Dolphins strength of schedule
The Dolphins have the fifth-toughest schedule, based on metrics from Sharp Football Analysis. Miami's opponents in 2023 have a combined 130-105-2 record from last season, including:
- Six teams that had double-digit win seasons
- Eight teams with a record of at least .500
- Six playoff teams
- Three divisional winners
- Both Super Bowl 57 participants
MORE: Which NFL teams have the easiest, hardest strength of schedule in 2023?
Toughest tests: The Chiefs and Eagles immediately stand out as the toughest tests of the year, as do visits to the Bills and Jets. Recent odds from BetMGM list Kansas City as the favorite to make Super Bowl 58 at +650, while Philadelphia is tied as the second favorite — with Buffalo — at +850. A visit to Los Angeles to take on Justin Herbert and the Chargers — who beat Tagovailoa and Co. with a short-handed defense in prime time last year — will also be difficult.
Biggest breaks: Several of Miami's most winnable games are at home this year, including the Broncos, Raiders, Titans and Panthers. Carolina — and perhaps Tennessee — could be playing rookie quarterbacks when they visit Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins also play the Chiefs in Germany, which is preferable to playing in hostile Arrowhead Stadium. Miami will need to make the most of home-field advantage when the Cowboys and Giants visit, as well.
Bottom line: If Miami wants to make the playoffs in an increasingly difficult AFC for the second consecutive season — something that hasn't happened since 2000-01 — it can't afford to slip in games in which it will be favored. The Dolphins might need to steal a game or two against favored opponents.
AFC East games will take on much greater importance this year as well, considering Aaron Rodgers' recent move to the Jets. Remember, split series against Buffalo and New York in 2022 helped the Dolphins sneak into the playoffs.
Record prediction: 10-7
