Dolphins–Patriots rivalry

The Dolphins–Patriots rivalry is an American football rivalry between the National Football League (NFL)'s Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. The Dolphins lead the all-time series 60–55.[1] Because both teams are members of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division, the two teams have been scheduled to play twice (home and away) every regular season since 1967.

Dolphins–Patriots rivalry
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
First meetingNovember 27, 1966
Patriots 20, Dolphins 14
Latest meetingSeptember 17, 2023
Dolphins 24, Patriots 17
Next meetingOctober 29, 2023
Statistics
Meetings total116
All-time seriesDolphins, 61–55
Postseason resultsPatriots, 2–1
  • January 8, 1983: Dolphins 28, Patriots 13
  • January 12, 1986: Patriots 31, Dolphins 14
  • December 28, 1997: Patriots 17, Dolphins 3
Largest victoryDolphins: 52–0 (1972)
Patriots: 43–0 (2019)
Longest win streakDolphins, 9 (1989–93)
Patriots, 7 (1986–88; 2010–13)
Current win streakDolphins, 1 (2023–present)

Characteristics and history

Patriots running back Craig James rushes the ball past the Dolphins' defense in the 1985 AFC Championship game.

While not as famous as some other rivalries, the rivalry has a long history that dates back to the 1960s. The beginning of the rivalry was dominated by the Dolphins, as at the time the Dolphins were one of the NFL's most successful teams, while the Patriots were one of the worst. This trend would change during the early 2000s when the Patriots became more and more successful, eventually culminating with the Brady & Belichick dynasty, while the Dolphins, and the rest of the AFC East, would become mired in mediocrity.[2][3][4][5][6] The Patriots finally made the Super Bowl in 1985, having defeated Miami in the AFC Championship game to get there.[7]

Starting in 1986, the rivalry was a little bit more even, with the Pats having a 7-game winning streak from 1986 to 1988. The Dolphins then took over the rivalry once again, winning 13 of the next 15 matchups between the 2 teams. Both teams had great quarterbacks in the 1990s, with the Patriots having Drew Bledsoe and the Dolphins with Dan Marino, both of whom appeared in at least one Super Bowl; Marino in Super Bowl XIX and Bledsoe in Super Bowl XXXI. The Dolphins continued to dominate the rivalry through the late 1990s with the Dolphins sweeping the Patriots in back to back years, 1999 and 2000.

Miami is one of 4 teams in the AFC with a winning overall record against New England (the others being the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, and Kansas City Chiefs). Since 2003, the Patriots have dominated the rivalry, but not as much as their rivalries with their two other AFC East opponents.[8][9] In 2004, one of the most famous moments in the rivalry happened where the Dolphins, 2–11 at the time, upset the defending champion Patriots, who were 12–1, in a game that has been known as "The Night That Courage Wore Orange".[10] The rivalry briefly intensified in 2005 when Nick Saban (who previously served as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns, coached by Bill Belichick at the time) was hired as the Dolphins head coach and when he nearly signed quarterback Drew Brees with the Dolphins, as well as in 2008 when the Dolphins became the only team other than the Patriots since 2003 to win the division.[11] In Week 3 of the aforementioned 2008 season, the Dolphins used the Wildcat formation to throw the Patriots (who were without Tom Brady that year because of an ACL injury earlier in the season) off and went on to upset them, 38–13, snapping their 20-game regular season winning streak that dated back to December 10, 2006, which coincidentally, the Patriots were also beat by the Dolphins.[12] In 2018, the Dolphins upset the Patriots in Miami for the second year in a row, this time with a last-minute hook and lateral scoring play in what is known as the "Miracle in Miami".[13]

On February 4, 2019, the Dolphins hired a long-time Patriots assistant, Brian Flores (who had been with the team since their 2004 Super Bowl-winning season) as the 12th head coach in franchise history. In 2021, the rivalry intensified once again after the Patriots drafted Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, a former college teammate of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whom Jones backed up in the first half of the 2019 season until a season-ending hip injury from Tagovailoa caused Jones to take the helms at quarterback for Alabama. Both quarterbacks led Alabama to national titles in 2018 and 2021, respectively. Jones and Tagovailoa were also backups to future Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts during the 2017 season, Jones and Tagovailoa's true freshman years. In 2022, the Dolphins hired former Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker to be their new wide receivers coach. Welker previously played for the Dolphins from 2004–2006 and the hiring would reunite him with Dolphins defensive coordinator and former long-time Patriots assistant Josh Boyer, whom was serving as a defensive assistant and later the defensive backs coach during Welker's tenure with New England (2007–2012).

Also notable is the fact that the Dolphins and Patriots are the only NFL teams to post undefeated regular season records following the NFL-AFL merger. The 1972 Dolphins finished with a 14–0 regular season record and went on to win Super Bowl VII, finishing the only complete perfect season in NFL history,[14] while the 2007 Patriots were the first team to go undefeated in the regular season since the league expanded to 16 games, but famously lost Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants. Additionally, both teams have had long-tenured coaches in Don Shula and Bill Belichick, respectively.[15]

Season-by-season results

Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots Season-by-Season Results
1960s (Dolphins, 4–3)
SeasonSeason seriesat Miami Dolphinsat Boston/NE PatriotsOverall seriesNotes
1966 Patriots 1–0 Patriots
20–14
no game Patriots
1–0
Dolphins join AFL as an expansion team.
1967 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
41–32
Patriots
41–10
Patriots
2–1
1968 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
38–7
Dolphins
34–10
Dolphins
3–2
1969 Tie 1–1 Patriots
38–23
Dolphins
17–16
Dolphins
4–3
Dolphins' home game at Tampa Stadium.
1970s (Dolphins, 13–7)
SeasonSeason seriesat Miami Dolphinsat New England PatriotsOverall seriesNotes
1970 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
37–20
Patriots
27–14
Dolphins
5–4
AFL-NFL merger. Both teams placed in AFC East.
1971 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
41–3
Patriots
34–13
Dolphins
6–5
Patriots open Foxboro Stadium (then known as Schaefer Stadium). Dolphins lose Super Bowl VI.
1972 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
52–0
Dolphins
37–21
Dolphins
8–5
Dolphins complete 17-0 season, win Super Bowl VII. Dolphins hand Patriots worst loss in franchise history in Miami meeting. The 52 points allowed by New England is also a team record.
1973 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
44-23
Dolphins
30-14
Dolphins
10–5
Dolphins win Super Bowl VIII.
1974 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
41–3
Patriots
34–13
Dolphins
11–6
1975 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
30–14
Dolphins
22–14
Dolphins
13–6
1976 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
10–3
Patriots
22–14
Dolphins
14–7
1977 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
17–5
Patriots
14–10
Dolphins
15–8
1978 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
23–3
Patriots
33–24
Dolphins
16–9
1979 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
39–24
Patriots
28–13
Dolphins
17–10
1980s (Patriots, 11–10)
SeasonSeason seriesat Miami Dolphinsat New England PatriotsOverall seriesNotes
1980 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
16–13
Patriots
34–0
Dolphins
18–11
1981 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
24–14
Dolphins
30–3
Dolphins
20–11
1982 Patriots 1–0 no game Patriots
3–0
Dolphins
20–12
Game in Miami not played due to Players strike reducing season to 9 games. Game in New England became known as the Snowplow Game. Dolphins lose Super Bowl XVII.
1982 Playoffs Dolphins 1–0 Dolphins
28–13
Dolphins
21–12
AFC first round playoffs.
1983 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
34–24
Patriots
17–6
Dolphins
22–13
1984 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
28–7
Dolphins
34–24
Dolphins
24–13
Dolphins lose Super Bowl XIX.
1985 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
30–27
Patriots
17–13
Dolphins
25–14
Patriots lose Super Bowl XX.
1985 Playoffs Patriots 1–0 Patriots
31–14
Dolphins
25–15
AFC Championship Game: Patriots' first win in Miami since 1966 (Dolphins had won 18 straight in Miami).
1986 Patriots 2–0 Patriots
34–27
Patriots
34–7
Dolphins
25–17
Patriots' first season sweep of Dolphins.
1987 Patriots 2–0 Patriots
24–10
Patriots
28–21
Dolphins
25–19
Dolphins open Hard Rock Stadium (then known as Joe Robbie Stadium).
1988 Patriots 2–0 Patriots
6–3
Patriots
21–10
Dolphins
25–21
Patriots win seven straight meetings.
1989 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
31–10
Dolphins
24–10
Dolphins
27–21
1990s (Dolphins, 14–7)
SeasonSeason seriesat Miami Dolphinsat New England PatriotsOverall seriesNotes
1990 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
17–10
Dolphins
27–24
Dolphins
29–21
1991 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
30–21
Dolphins
20–10
Dolphins
31–21
1992 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
38–17
Dolphins
16–13(OT)
Dolphins
33–21
1993 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
17–13
Patriots
33–27(OT)
Dolphins
34–22
Dolphins win nine straight immediately following Patriots seven-game winning streak. Patriots' overtime win eliminates Dolphins from playoff contention after the Dolphins started 9–2.
1994 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
39–35
Dolphins
23–3
Dolphins
36–22
The game in Miami marked Dan Marino's first game after missing most of the 1993 season due to a torn Achilles' tendon. Marino and Drew Bledsoe would both throw for over 400 yards in that meeting.
1995 Tie 1–1 Patriots
34–17
Dolphins
20–3
Dolphins
37–23
First time since 1969 in which the away team won both meetings.
1996 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
34–7
Patriots
42–23
Dolphins
38–24
Patriots lose Super Bowl XXXI.
1997 Patriots 2–0 Patriots
14–12
Patriots
27–24
Dolphins
38–26
Game in Miami was the de facto AFC East Championship Game. But due to the Jets' loss the previous day, this game ironically decided whom would finish as the #3 seed and host the loser (as the #6 seeded wild card) in the AFC Wild Card Round the following week.
1997 Playoffs Patriots 1–0 Patriots
17–3
Dolphins
38–27
AFC Wild Card playoffs.
1998 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
12–9(OT)
Patriots
26–23
Dolphins
39–28
1999 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
27–17
Dolphins
31–30
Dolphins
41–28
Last Start for Dan Marino in the series.
2000s (Patriots, 11–9)
SeasonSeason seriesat Miami Dolphinsat New England PatriotsOverall seriesNotes
2000 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
10–3
Dolphins
27–24
Dolphins
43–28
Last Start for Drew Bledsoe in the series. Dolphins clinch AFC East in their road win in week 17.
2001 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
30–10
Patriots
20–13
Dolphins
44–29
Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVI.
2002 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
26–13
Patriots
27–24(OT)
Dolphins
45–30
Patriots open Gillette Stadium. Patriots deny Dolphins the AFC East title, but both teams are eliminated following the Jets victory later in the day.
2003 Patriots 2–0 Patriots
19–13(OT)
Patriots
12–0
Dolphins
45–32
Patriots win Super Bowl XXXVIII.
2004 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
29–28
Patriots
39–35
Dolphins
46–33
2–11 Dolphins defeat 12–1 Patriots in December game in Miami. Patriots win Super Bowl XXXIX.
2005 Tie 1–1 Patriots
23–16
Dolphins
28–26
Dolphins
47–34
2006 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
21–0
Patriots
20–10
Dolphins
48–35
2007 Patriots 2–0 Patriots
49–28
Patriots
28–7
Dolphins
48–37
Patriots complete 16–0 regular season, lose Super Bowl XLII.
2008 Tie 1–1 Patriots
48–28
Dolphins
38–13
Dolphins
49–38
Dolphins frequently use the "Wildcat" formation to defeat Patriots, this formation gains popularity in the league. Dolphins win AFC East, the only season the Patriots did not win the division as well as miss the playoffs from 2003–2019. Tom Brady did not play in either game due to a season-ending knee injury in the season opener.
2009 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
22–21
Patriots
27–17
Dolphins
50–39
2010s (Patriots, 14–6)
SeasonSeason seriesat Miami Dolphinsat New England PatriotsOverall seriesNotes
2010 Patriots 2–0 Patriots
41–14
Patriots
38–7
Dolphins
50–41
2011 Patriots 2–0 Patriots
38–24
Patriots
27–24
Dolphins
50–43
Patriots lose Super Bowl XLVI.
2012 Patriots 2–0 Patriots
23–16
Patriots
28–0
Dolphins
50–45
2013 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
24–20
Patriots
27–17
Dolphins
51–46
Patriots win seven straight meetings from 2010–13.
2014 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
33–20
Patriots
41–14
Dolphins
52–47
Patriots win Super Bowl XLIX.
2015 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
20–10
Patriots
36–7
Dolphins
53–48
Dolphins spoil the Patriots' bid to clinch the AFC's #1 seed in their Miami meeting in the final week of the regular season.
2016 Patriots 2–0 Patriots
35–14
Patriots
31–24
Dolphins
53–50
Patriots win Super Bowl LI.
2017 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
27–20
Patriots
35–17
Dolphins
54–51
Patriots lose Super Bowl LII.
2018 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
34–33
Patriots
38–7
Dolphins
55–52
Patriots win 10 straight home games. Dolphins win with last-minute lateral pass in Miami home game. Patriots win Super Bowl LIII.
2019 Tie 1–1 Patriots
43–0
Dolphins
27–24
Dolphins
56–53
Dolphins deny Patriots a first-round bye with Week 17 win; Tom Brady's final regular season game as a Patriot.
2020s (Dolphins, 5–2)
SeasonSeason seriesat Miami Dolphinsat New England PatriotsOverall seriesNotes
2020 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
22–12
Patriots
21–11
Dolphins
57–54
Patriots sign QB Cam Newton prior to 2020 season. Miami's home win eliminates Patriots from playoff contention for the first time since 2008.
2021 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins
33–24
Dolphins
17–16
Dolphins
59–54
Dolphins sweep Patriots for the first time since 2000.
2022 Tie 1–1 Dolphins
20–7
Patriots
23–21
Dolphins
60–55
2023 Dolphins 1–0 TBD Dolphins
24–17
Dolphins
61–55
Summary of Results
SeasonSeason seriesat Miami Dolphinsat New England PatriotsNotes
AFL regular season Dolphins 4–3 Tie 2–2 Dolphins 2–1
NFL regular season Dolphins 56–50 Dolphins 38–14 Patriots 36–18
AFL and NFL regular season Dolphins 60–53 Dolphins 40–16 Patriots 37–20
NFL postseason Patriots 2–1 Tie 1–1 Patriots 1–0 AFC Wild Card/First Round playoffs: 1982, 1997. AFC Championship Game: 1985
Regular and postseason Dolphins 61–55 Dolphins 41–17 Patriots 38–20

Connections between the teams

Coaches/executives

NameDolphins' tenurePatriots' tenure
Josh Boyer Defensive pass game coordinator/Cornerbacks coach, 2019
Defensive coordinator, 2020–2023
Defensive assistant, 2006–2008
Defensive backs coach, 2009–2011
Cornerbacks coach, 2012–2018
Dom Capers Defensive coordinator, 2006–2007 Special assistant and secondary coach, 2008
Brian Daboll Offensive coordinator, 2011 Defensive assistant, 2000–2001
Wide receivers coach, 2002–2006
Tight ends coach, 2013–2016
Dave DeGuglielmo Offensive line coach, 2009–2011, 2017, 2019 (asst) Offensive line coach, 2014–2015
Brian Flores Head coach, 2019–2021 Scouting assistant, 2004–2005
Pro scout, 2006–2007
Special teams assistant, 2008–2009
Assistant offense & special teams, 2010
Defensive assistant, 2011
Safeties coach, 2012–2015
Linebackers coach, 2016–2018
Defensive play-caller, 2018
George Godsey Tight ends coach, 2019–present
Co-offensive coordinator, 2021
Offensive assistant, 2011
Tight ends coach, 2012–2013
Patrick Graham Defensive coordinator, 2019 Coaching assistant, 2009
Defensive assistant, 2010
Defensive line coach, 2012–2013
Linebackers coach, 2014–2015
Chris Grier Area scout, 2000–2002
National scout/assistant director of college scouting, 2003–2007
Director of college scouting, 2007–2015
General manager, 2016–present
Intern, 1994
Regional scout, 1995–1999
Chad O'Shea Offensive coordinator, 2019 Wide receivers coach, 2009–2018
Jerry Schuplinski Assistant quarterbacks coach, 2019 Offensive assistant, 2013–2015
Assistant quarterbacks coach, 2016–2018

Players

NamePosition(s)Dolphins' tenurePatriots' tenure
Will Allen Cornerback 2006–2011 2012
Danny Amendola Wide receiver 2018 2013–2017
Brandon Bolden Running back/Special teamer 2018 2012–2017, 2019–2021
Jacoby Brissett Quarterback 2021 2016
Adam Butler Defensive tackle 2021–2022 2017–2020
A.J. Derby Tight end 2017–2018 2015–2016
Justin Coleman Cornerback 2021 2015–2016
Trey Flowers Linebacker 2022–present 2015–2018
Jonathan Freeny Linebacker 2011–2014 2015–2016, 2017
Irving Fryar Wide receiver 1992–1995 1984–1992
Davon Godchaux Defensive tackle 2017–2020 2021–present
Larry Izzo Special teamer 1996–2000 2001–2008
Ted Larsen Guard 2017–2018 2010
Sony Michel Running back 2022 2018–2020
Jason McCourty Cornerback 2021 2018–2020
DeVante Parker Wide receiver 2015–2021 2022–present
Eric Rowe Cornerback 2019–2022 2016–2018
Junior Seau Linebacker 2003–2005 2006–2009
Kyle Van Noy Linebacker 2020 2016–2019, 2021
Wes Welker Wide receiver 2004–2006 2007–2012

See also

References

  1. "New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins Results | The Football Database". FootballDB.com. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  2. Beguiristain, Joseph. "The 5 Moves That Put the Miami Dolphins into Mediocrity". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  3. Ahmed, Sam. "Miami Dolphins: An Uncertain Future for an Unstable Team". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  4. "Patriots Haters Should Blame the AFC East, Not Brady and Belichick". InsideHook. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  5. Levin •, Jake. "The Patriots Have Been Utterly Dominant in the AFC East. Will That Continue in 2019?". NBC Boston. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  6. "These stats show the Patriots' dominance over teams outside the AFC East". RSN. Retrieved 2022-06-29.
  7. "The Patriots and Dolphins are heading for a true rivalry". Boston Herald. 2021-09-08. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  8. Schad, Joe. "Loved to hear it: Tom Brady cites Dolphins defense of early 2000's as toughest". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  9. "Which defense gave Brady the most trouble? QB gives surprising answer". RSN. Retrieved 2022-06-26.
  10. Galicia, Thomas (October 4, 2010). "Miami Dolphins-New England Patriots: Greatest Games In The Series". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  11. "SI.com - Photo Gallery - Top 10 New NFL Rivalries". 2010-08-17. Archived from the original on 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2022-12-27.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  12. "Dolphins stun Patriots 38-13". The Seattle Times. 2008-09-22. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
  13. Hoffman, Benjamin (December 9, 2018). "Dolphins Shock Patriots With a Miracle in Miami". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  14. 1972 Perfect Season - Miami Dolphins
  15. "Giants prevent perfect season, beat Patriots". Sporting News. February 8, 2008. Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
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