Dolphins Return Home to Face Chiefs in Week 3 Matchup
The short version
- Dolphins host the Chiefs in their 2026 home opener after a road loss to the 49ers
- Kansas City leads the NFL in rushing behind Kenneth Walker's 290 yards in two games
- The Chiefs blitz at the league's fifth-highest rate at 39.4 percent
- Miami's defense ranks 19th in total yards allowed through two weeks
- Quarterback Malik Willis was sacked twice but pressured often in Santa Clara
Miami hosts Kansas City at Hard Rock Stadium looking for its first win under coach Hafley after a tough road stretch.
The Miami Dolphins play their first home game of the 2026 season on Sunday, welcoming Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs to Hard Rock Stadium. Miami enters the week winless after being outplayed by an NFC contender on the road, a loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara on September 20. Kansas City arrives as the favorite.
Miami's opener came against the Las Vegas Raiders before the trip to face the 49ers. Quarterback Malik Willis started in Santa Clara and was under pressure frequently, with much of the trouble traced to one offensive lineman. Two of the sacks charged against Willis came when he ran out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage rather than throwing the ball away.
Despite the pressure, San Francisco got Willis to the ground only twice, and that was with edge rusher Nick Bosa in the lineup. The 49ers do not blitz at a high rate, and the blitzes they did call caught Miami off guard. The Dolphins had already faced Maxx Crosby in Week 1, giving them experience against top pass rushers early in the season.
The Chiefs present a different kind of challenge up front. Kansas City has three sacks as a team this season, with two coming from its edge group. George Karlaftis III leads that group with 30.5 career sacks, while Felix Anudike-Uzomah has four career sacks, three of them before 2026. Ashton Gillotte is a second-year player with 1.5 career sacks, and rookie R. Mason Thomas has one sack this season. Chris Jones remains a threat as an interior rusher.
Kansas City blitzes far more often than Miami's first two opponents, ranking fifth in the league at 39.4 percent. The Raiders and 49ers both blitzed in the 22 percent range. That predictability could let the Dolphins build in protections and quick outlets to get the ball out of Willis's hands. The Chiefs have faced two mobile quarterbacks this season, but neither has Willis's rushing ability, and a mistimed blitz could put him on the edge in space.
Miami's defense sits in the middle of the league through two weeks, ranking 19th in total yards allowed, 18th in passing yards allowed and 18th in rushing yards allowed. The Dolphins held San Francisco's top two running backs to a combined 48 yards on 17 carries, though they surrendered three rushing touchdowns, with quarterback Brock Purdy contributing scrambles.
The bigger problem is Kansas City's ground game. Reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker leads the NFL in rushing with 290 yards on 47 carries through two games. Both of the Chiefs' opponents this season rank in the bottom four in rushing yards and yards per attempt allowed. Kansas City is coming off two home primetime games, including an overtime Sunday night win over the Indianapolis Colts, and now must travel east for an early kickoff.
Conditions could also play a role. Forecasts call for mid-80s temperatures in Miami, and heat has historically been a factor for visiting teams there. Miami held a time-of-possession edge against the 49ers, including a 19:17 to 10:43 advantage in the first half, but failed to finish several scoring chances. Coach Hafley has noted that despite the roster's youth and talent gaps, the team is playing with greater toughness and intensity. After the Chiefs, the Dolphins face Brian Flores's Minnesota Vikings, who lead the NFL with an 81.8 percent blitz rate.
Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins kicks off Sunday, September 27 at 1:00 PM EDT at Hard Rock Stadium, airing on CBS.
Games to watch
