Here’s how the South Florida Sun Sentinel thinks the Miami Dolphins will fare in the 2025 season ahead of their Sept. 7 opener on the road against the Indianapolis Colts, and who our staff is picking to play in the Super Bowl:

Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist

Dolphins prediction: 8-9

They have too much talent to be as bad as some national forecasts, but too many glaring holes to predict a surprising season. The secondary is a concern in a passing league. The offensive line has no depth. The schedule offers a chance to build early confidence with the opener at Indianapolis and home game against New England. After playing in Buffalo, they then have the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers. Those are four very winnable games in the first five. That can set the Dolphins up for a good year. They just have too many holes to predict it.

Super Bowl prediction: Baltimore Ravens vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The two best rosters in the league meet. Baltimore’s top players have to start playing big in the biggest games. Philadelphia has to fight the success of winning last season’s Super Bowl.

Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist

Dolphins prediction: 9-8

The biggest drawback in the coach Mike McDaniel era isn’t quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s health or the offensive line. It’s that the Dolphins can’t beat playoff-caliber teams even with a healthy Tua and an intact OL. They’re 4-16 vs. playoff teams in the McDaniel era, including 1-6 vs. Buffalo. At this point, you figure the playoff teams on the 2025 schedule are Buffalo (which Miami plays twice), Baltimore, Washington, Cincinnati and Tampa Bay. And you’ve got to watch the Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh.

Super Bowl prediction: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Detroit Lions

It’s a blend of the old and new. I’m not overthinking this thing. I’m going with the chalk. Let’s see if it’s the right approach.

David Furones, Dolphins Writer

Dolphins prediction: 9-8

There’s a higher ceiling, but you can’t count on Tua Tagovailoa to stay healthy all season and you can’t count on him and coach Mike McDaniel to win against good teams. At full strength, I do believe in McDaniel’s ability to reignite the offense to an extent, starting with the run game opening up the big passing plays again to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The schedule seems to line up for a hot start with the team trying to hold on to a playoff spot late. And I think they end up in a Week 18 scenario where they need help to get in.

Super Bowl prediction: Buffalo Bills vs. Philadelphia Eagles

It’s about time the Bills finally break through in the AFC. It’s a tough path with the Big 3 of them, the Chiefs and Ravens. The Eagles, as defending champs, seem to have an easier path through the NFC. I won’t take the Lions after coach Dan Campbell lost both coordinators.

Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor

Dolphins prediction: 10-7
Someone needs to be an optimist, right? Sure, a 10-win season might be pushing it, but maybe there has been enough time for everything to click. Maybe coach Mike McDaniel finds the right balance of toughness, respect and relatability to get the most of these players. Maybe Tua Tagovailoa stays healthy (or Zach Wilson steps up). Maybe the offensive line holds. Maybe there’s a solid running game. Maybe the defense builds on last year. Maybe Miami’s schedule isn’t the worst. If you don’t think the Dolphins get 10 wins this season, you might as well put your hopes on hold for a few more years, until after the next rebuild.

Super Bowl prediction: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Detroit Lions

How many years in a row have I said it’s hard to bet against Patrick Mahomes? Doesn’t matter, because it is still hard to bet against Patrick Mahomes. The Lions had a taste of success last season and look strong again.

Listen to Dolphins Deep Dive with Perk: The Miami Dolphins Podcast

Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor

Dolphins prediction: 9-8

The Dolphins’ 2025 season has more questions than answers. Tua Tagovailoa may be the biggest question mark. He undoubtedly has shown improvement over the years, but his shortcomings and record against quality teams is a concern. The Dolphins also lost key talent at key positions and will likely miss the playoffs once again.

Super Bowl prediction: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Buffalo Bills

Philadelphia once again seems the team to beat in the NFC, while Buffalo appears poised to finally get over the hump against the aging Chiefs. But the high-powered Bills will be hard-pressed to overcome the physical and well-rounded Eagles.

Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor

Dolphins prediction: 6-11

While there are a few positives, focused on aspects of the Dolphins’ front seven and their pass rush, those players better get home, because the cornerback group — to be kind — has been untested. On offense, how far can Tua Tagovailoa, even playing 17 games, take you? Tagovailoa, who has averaged missing four starts per season in his career, has had a substandard career passer rating of 80.4 in his 22 games against teams with more than 10 wins, with 16.1 net offensive points per game.

Further, the limitation of having a quarterback who is a zero run threat, even regarding the NFL-commonplace sneak, makes life easier for opposing defenses. That said, the Dolphins still have that electric speed in De’Von Achane, Jaylen Waddle and the now-31 Tyreek Hill. Figure on a steady diet of short passes, like last year.

Super Bowl prediction: Buffalo Bills vs. Philadelphia Eagles

I think the Houston Texans will have a dominant defense this year, and it will take them to the AFC title game, but this will be Josh Allen’s turn. Meanwhile, in the NFC, I like the Rams a bunch, but Matthew Stafford battled a back issue during training camp and I don’t think, even with that talented roster, that Los Angeles can get past the defending champion Eagles.

More season preview content

Breaking down the Miami Dolphins’ 2025 schedule