The Miami Dolphins struggled in all three aspects of their game against the Las Vegas Raiders, faltering on offense, laboring on defense, and getting gashed by long special-teams returns. It was not an ideal start to the season.
This season is not about wins and losses, though. This year’s focus is on the team developing the younger players and building toward the future. Miami is rebuilding, turning over much of the roster as a new front office and coaching staff put their stamp on the team.
Things may not get better this week as the Dolphins visit the San Francisco 49ers. According to the latest FanDuel Sportsbook odds, the Dolphins are 13.5-point underdogs. Not a lot is expected of Miami later today.
Fans concerned about lack of pass rush
The Raiders’ offensive line struggled to protect the quarterback in 2025. Last week, Miami could not get near Kirk Cousins. The pass rush simply never materialized. Now, the fans see it as the biggest area of concern with the team.
Out SB Nation Reacts poll for this week asked for where the concerns were for the Dolphins moving forward, and the fans zeroed in on the pass rush – and this is before the team’s top rusher, Chop Robinson, was ruled out of today’s game with a concussion – with 42 percent of the responses expecting more from the group.
The offensive line received 20 percent of the votes, special teams 13 percent, and the cornerbacks 4 percent. The remaining 22 percent voted “other.” Discussion around the poll included concerns about offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, penalties, and fans turning on the team and not giving the rebuild the time it needs to turn the franchise around.
Dolphins fan confidence
The Dolphins’ struggles against the Raiders were not unexpected, but it was still a rough game to watch. Our weekly fan confidence poll reflects the fan conflict between wanting to watch a competitive team putting up wins and the understanding that the team is resetting this year and building for the future. Last week, 79 percent of the fan base said they were positive about the team’s direction.
With the loss to the Raiders now on the board, our fan confidence poll dipped, but maybe not as much as a loss like that would have last year. According to our Week 2 survey, 63 percent of the fans are still supportive of the direction Miami is taking.
Miami Dolphins 2026 Season Fan Confidence Results:
Preseason – 80%
Week 1 – 79%
Week 2 – 63%
National Poll: Worst quarterback situation in league
This week’s SB Nation Reacts National survey included a question about the worst quarterback situations in the league. The Dolphins showed up in the results, but were nowhere near the top. Miami received six percent of the vote, more than the Minnesota Vikings (five percent) and the New England Patriots (two percent).
The Cleveland Browns dominated the results, receiving 67 percent of the vote. DeShaun Watson is starting for Cleveland, though he does not look comfortable, with Shedeur Sanders and Taylen Green backing him up. Dillon Gabriel is on injured reserve.
The Atlanta Falcons, who have a quarterback room that includes former Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa along with Michael Penix, Jr., Cooper Rush, and Nick Muse, picked up 19 percent of the votes, landing them in second place. Tagovailoa was expected to start the season at the top of the depth chart, but he missed the opener with an oblique injury and is doubtful for today.
Do you agree with the Dolphins’ fan confidence poll results? What is the biggest area of concern for the team? Let us know in the comments.
