The Miami Dolphins didn't play a game in Week 6, as they were on their bye after starting the season with an 0-5 record through their first five games under new head coach Jeff Hafley.
While 28 other teams played games between Thursday and Monday, they had chances to prove who they were. For the Dolphins their fate in the newest power rankings were in the hands of those other teams.
As we head into a new week, here's a round-up of where the Dolphins are in power rankings for different publications.
USA Today Sports:No. 31 (-)
"Still winless, but at least they've been a lot more competitive in recent weeks.," Nate Davis wrote.
CBS Sports: No 32 (-)
"The bye week was good to them. They didn't lose. But with the Titans winning, they are one of only two teams without a victory.," Pete Prisco wrote.
FOX Sports: No. 32 (-1)
"Hopefully the Dolphins enjoyed their bye week, because they return to action as the worst team in football (once again) and one of just two winless teams. Now the big question on their season becomes: Where can they get their first (and possibly only) win? Four games stand out as possibilities, including two against the Jets, one of which comes this Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Dolphins aren’t better than the Jets, but when has that really mattered? Also, they are running the ball well, averaging 126.6 rushing yards for the season. The Jets, meanwhile, are giving up 123 rushing yards per game. So maybe, just maybe, it’s the Dolphins’ time," Ralph Vacchiano wrote.
The Athletic: No: 31 (-)
If the third-round rookie wide receiver comes back from an ankle injury after the bye, it’ll be a rare bright spot for the Dolphins this season. Douglas is not Miami’s top-scoring receiver, but he had 14.4 points in the only game he has started and finished this year. Quarterback Malik Willis (12.1 ppg) has been a fantasy disappointment because he’s not getting enough rushing volume," Chad Graff and Josh Kendall wrote,.
Yahoo! Sports: No 32 (-)
"Nobody in the Dolphins' organization would admit it publicly, but they have to be keeping an eye on the race for the first overall draft pick. The Titans seemed like they would give the Dolphins the biggest run for the top selection. (More on the Chargers, the NFL's lone 0-6 team right after this take on the Dolphins.) Everyone in Miami should have been happy to see Tennessee get its first win Sunday over Indianapolis. Yes, it's early in the season, but the stakes are high for the 2027 NFL Draft. Getting the first pick opens up all avenues for the Dolphins: They could take a quarterback they prefer, trade the pick to a desperate team and stock the roster, sit tight and take otherworldly receiver prospect Jeremiah Smith or even trade down a slot or two to get extra picks and still take Smith.
"Tanking is a taboo subject in the NFL but anyone being honest knows that for a team like the 2026 Dolphins, losing heavily in one bad season is the best thing for the future," Frank Schwab wrote.
Sports Illustrated: No 32 (-)
"This may end up looking crazy in a few weeks or months, but I really like the Jeff Hafley-Dolphins fit. This clip felt as authentic as anything you’ll see from a head coach talking about his roster," Connor Orr wrote.
Bleacher Report: No. 32 (-)
"The Miami Dolphins had a Week 6 bye, and we didn't change their ranking. On an encouraging note, the Dolphins battled the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals in one-score games, a step up from their double-digit blowout losses in Weeks 1-3.
"In Week 7, Miami may field its young core of rookie receivers if Caleb Douglas has recovered from an ankle injury. Along with Chris Bell and Kevin Coleman Jr., he could be the future of the Dolphins' pass-catching group," Moe Moton wrote.
ESPN: No. 32 (-)
"The Dolphins own the league's 10th-best rushing offense but rank 31st in passing yards per game, last in completion percentage and last in touchdown-to-interception ratio. Quarterback Malik Willis leads all qualified starters in average time to throw at 3.16 seconds -- in part because his receivers aren't getting open consistently -- and has turned the ball over in every game but one. Coach Jeff Hafley said before the bye week that the passing game as a whole needs to improve -- not just Willis. With rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas returning to practice this week, Miami could get a shot in the arm in Week 7," Marcel Louis-Jacques
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: How did the bye impact Dolphins standing in Week 7 power rankings?
