4 games that could tell us whether the Dolphins are still lying about their culture

Earlier in this NFL offseason, Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb made some highly interesting comments regarding the team’s culture.

He said that last year, the Dolphins lied about changing their culture for the better, but now their actions are matching their words.

One way to gauge whether Miami has indeed changed its culture for the better will be to see how the team fares in certain matchups in the 2025 season.

The Dolphins will have their mental and physical toughness tested in a number of games this season, and prime examples will come in Weeks 3, 9, 10 and 18. In order to show that their culture has undergone a positive shift, the Dolphins need to show some fight in these games, and in some cases, win.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at four games that will speak volumes about the state of the team’s culture.

Week 3 at Buffalo Bills

The Bills have had the Dolphins’ number in recent years. Over the last 14 games played between the two AFC East squads (including playoff contests), Miami has just a 1-13 record and has also dropped the last six meetings.

There have been some close games sprinkled in during that span, such as when the Dolphins lost to Buffalo by just three points in November of 2024 and sustained another three-point loss in the playoffs in January of 2023, but close isn’t good enough.

A win for the Dolphins over the Bills in this contest would help to show that they aren’t going to continue to fall short against Buffalo. A victory might also aid in snapping Buffalo’s streak of clinching the AFC East, as the Bills are the only team that has won the division since the start of the 2020 season.

Should the Dolphins defy the odds and come out on top in the game in question, it would mark their first victory over the Bills since all the way back in September of 2022.

Week 9 vs. Baltimore Ravens

The opening eight weeks of the 2025 campaign project to be pretty manageable for the Dolphins. They will have a couple of tough games against teams like the Bills and Los Angeles Chargers but will have more games in that span against teams that were bottom-feeders last season, such as the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.

While the Dolphins should have a winning record through the first eight weeks, their schedule will ramp up in difficulty in a major way for Weeks 9 through 11, and they will kick off this especially difficult section of their schedule with a home game against the Ravens on Oct. 30.

The Ravens won 12 games last season and ranked in the top 10 in the league in total points for (518) and against (361). Baltimore has consistently been in the mix in recent years thanks in large part to production from quarterback Lamar Jackson, who’s one of the best players in all of football.

Jackson threw for 41 touchdowns compared to only four interceptions a season ago and led the league in quarterback rating in his seventh campaign in the pros. Per usual, he also did damage on the ground. Hopefully, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will bring his A-game for this contest and be able to at least rival the numbers that Jackson puts up.

This will be a chance for the Dolphins to prove that they’re ready to navigate a brutal part of their schedule.

Week 10 vs. Buffalo Bills

After the Dolphins take on the Ravens, they will continue the most difficult portion of their season by taking on the Bills once again, but this will be a home game for Miami at Hard Rock Stadium.

This game will give the Dolphins another chance to pick up a big win during a vital three-game span. Moreover, should the Dolphins drop their Week 3 meeting against the Bills, this will also serve as another chance to land a punch against Buffalo and end the run the Bills have been on against Miami.

By the time this game comes around on the calendar, folks will be starting to look at divisional standings more closely, and the outcome of the Week 10 game could play a major part in who ultimately wins the AFC East division.

For those curious, Miami’s final matchup of its treacherous three-game stretch in Weeks 9 through 11 will come against the Washington Commanders. The Dolphins will then have their bye.

Week 18 at New England Patriots

It’s no secret that the Dolphins’ track record of playing in the cold under head coach Mike McDaniel leaves a lot to be desired.

This season, the Dolphins will be on the road in a cold-weather area in January to take on a likely improved Patriots team to wrap up their 17-game slate.

Miami has historically struggled in the cold, and this contest could determine whether or not the team misses out on the playoffs for a second season in a row. As such, it will be a chance to send a message.

Another down season for Miami could potentially lead to major changes, as folks within the front office might run out of patience with the current core in that scenario. But a win in Week 18, maybe to get into the playoffs, would only help.

All in all, the Dolphins will have their work cut out for them in every one of the four games mentioned, but a realistic goal is for them to win at least two of these contests.