Miami Faces must-win pressure in Week 2 after a 33-8 loss at Indianapolis. A loss to winless New England at home would push the start to 0-2 and likely ignite talk of accountability around McDaniel, Grier, and Tagovailoa.

Look for a rebound from Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa, with Hill needing more than 4-40 production and Tua cutting down turnovers. The Dolphins’ line injuries and a quiet edge rush must improve quickly as they battle New England and try to avoid a slide toward 0-3 and a season-altering stretch.

Miami opens its season with high hopes: Tua Tagovailoa healthy for 17 games, a revitalized Tyreek Hill, and Jaelan Phillips poised to wreck games. The defense must sharpen under Anthony Weaver, and the o-line has to stay intact for a playoff push. The schedule leans toward five wins early, but playoff reality hinges on consistency and clean health, not headlines.

Projected draft-class impact shines in Kenneth Grant, Jonah Savaiinaea, Jason Marshall Jr., and Ollie Gordon II, while Minkah Fitzpatrick returns to form in a defense built to force turnovers. The offense aims to shed old narratives, with Waller returning to productive form for the Giants and Rivers of luck aligning with a sun-splashed home schedule.

Miami’s season opener centers on a showdown between the Dolphins’ elite front seven and the Colts’ experienced, well-regarded offensive line. If Miami can clamp down on Jonathan Taylor and force Indianapolis into a one-dimensional attack, its pass rushers can feast and blow up the pocket. The Colts counter with Nelson and Raimann anchoring an O-line that Pro Football Focus labeled top-five in its 2025 preseason rankings, designed to protect Daniel Jones and open lanes for Taylor.

Key to the Dolphins’ plan is Minkah Fitzpatrick’s veteran leadership and the unit’s depth and athleticism at every level. On offense, Tua Tagovailoa will lean on Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but the real leverage may come from the defensive line and linebackers creating pressure and forcing mistakes. The matchup will set the tone for each team’s path to victory and has immediate fantasy implications across both sides of the ball.

Miami's secondary opens the season with questions, rotating safeties opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick as free-agent signees push for time. Davis is listed first but health and flux keep the depth chart unsettled, while Melifonwu recovers and earns snaps. On the outside, Storm Duck is expected to start, with Rasul Douglas’ signing adding immediate competition. Rookie Jason Marshall Jr. shows nickel potential, while multiple safeties can swap roles for versatility and misdirection in coverage.

Expect the Dolphins to lean on varied looks and interchangeability to slow Indianapolis. Mixing Fitzpatrick, Melifonwu, and Davis in different alignments alongside Duck and Marshall Jr. should create matchup advantages, aided by a pass rush that helps coverage time. The opener could hinge on how quickly the unit communicates and finishes plays rather than who officially starts.