NFL Power Rankings: ESPN Ranks Worst Team After Two Weeks 1
The Miami Dolphins have endured a difficult opening to the 2026 NFL season, with their 0-2 record putting them at the bottom of ESPN’s Week 3 power rankings. The early results have exposed major concerns for a team that entered the season hoping to compete in a challenging AFC landscape.
Miami’s struggles have affected nearly every area of the team through the first two games. The Dolphins have failed to establish enough consistency offensively while also giving opponents opportunities to control games, leaving little room for error as they search for their first victory.
Miami Dolphins, Jeff Hafley, NFLMiami Dolphins, Jeff Hafley, NFL
Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Head coach Jeff Hafley during the 2026 Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The biggest concern has been the team’s inability to sustain offensive momentum. Miami has struggled to consistently create explosive plays and finish drives, making it difficult to keep pace when opponents build an early advantage and forcing the defense to spend too much time on the field.
The defensive performance has also contributed to the disappointing start. When an offense fails to generate enough points, the margin for defensive mistakes becomes smaller, and Miami has not consistently produced the stops needed to compensate for its offensive shortcomings.
ESPN’s NFL Power Rankings Names Miami Dolphins the Worst Team After Two Weeks
Miami Dolphins, Jeff Hafley, NFLMiami Dolphins, Jeff Hafley, NFL
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is shown before their preseason game against there Seattle Seahawks Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Miami has been named the worst team in the league after two weeks of football action. This is detailed more in an analysis by Marcel Louis-Jacques for ESPN.
Week 2 result: Lost to the 49ers 35-13
Week 2 ranking: 31
One thing we know about the QB1: Malik Willis is still developing — and needs more help.
Willis hasn’t been the issue for the Dolphins’ offense, but he’s clearly adjusting to a new scheme and new teammates. On one hand, Miami’s receivers room consists of three rookies and has struggled to consistently get open. Willis has also been sacked at the highest rate in the NFL. But at the same time, his completion percentage over expectation of minus-3.5% ranks fourth worst in the NFL, per NFL Next Gen Stats, and there have been plays in which he refused to hit his checkdowns. Miami believes in Willis, and a learning curve is expected considering his limited starting experience.
An 0-2 record does not automatically eliminate a team from postseason contention, but it significantly increases the pressure surrounding the next stretch of the schedule. The Dolphins need improvements in execution, consistency and situational football if they are going to change the narrative surrounding their season before the deficit becomes more difficult to overcome.
For now, the bottom ranking reflects what has happened on the field rather than what Miami might accomplish later in the year. The Dolphins still have opportunities to reverse their fortunes, but they will need to show meaningful progress quickly as the pressure grows with every game played without a victory.