Looking Ahead: Miami Dolphins opponents for the 2022 NFL season

Teams that also finished 3rd in their divisions

The final three opponents on the list for the Miami Dolphins were decided by the 2021 final standings. Miami finished third in the AFC East, meaning that they will play against the third place finisher from the AFC South, AFC West, and NFC West.

AFC South – Texans (Home) – The recent connection between the Dolphins and the Houston Texans is an extensive one, thanks to the Laremey Tunsil blockbuster trade. When the two teams match up in 2022, the connection may be even stronger if the Texans happen to bring in a certain head coaching candidate who is very familiar in South Florida.

AFC West – Chargers – The game in Los Angeles against the Chargers should be met with plenty of fanfare. Much has been made of the decisions that the Dolphins made during the first round of the 2020 Draft, especially the one to pass on Justin Herbert in favor of Tua Tagovailoa. The latter is 1-0 in the only matchup between the two, but the former has gone through serious progressions in his performance since then. If Miami is hoping to make a playoff push in 2022, the Chargers will likely be one of their foes in the wild card race, making the game in Los Angeles one of the biggest ones on the schedule.

NFC West – Niners – The team that will be giving the Dolphins their only first-round selection in the upcoming draft will also be playing host to Miami at some point during the 2022 season. The 49ers have struggled with injuries over the past couple of years, but they are one of the most dangerous teams in the league when healthy. This will be the longest travel distance for Miami all season, so picking up a victory on the road against a strong team would be one of the biggest wins of the year if Miami can pull it off.