Miami Dolphins all-time history versus New England Patriots

The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots have a rich 50-year history as division rivals.  Miami leads the all-time series 53-48  (including playoffs).

No matter what the record between the two teams, the Dolphins and Patriots almost always play close, hard fought games.

Recent history

During the Ryan Tannehill era, Miami is 3-1 at home vs the Pats but 0-4 in Foxboro.  In fact, Miami hasn’t won an away game (0-7) vs New England since the 2008 “Wildcat Game”.

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3 Best Miami wins vs New England

(3)  1/3/16 Dolphins keep Patriots from getting home-field (20-10)

Coming off a 3-game losing streak, this Week 17 matchup saw Miami just looking to finish off a terrible 2015 season.  New England, meanwhile, was battling the Denver Broncos for best record in the AFC.   When it was all over, Tannehill had thrown for 350 yards and 2 TDs while New England managed just 196 yards of total offense.

With the loss, the Patriots ended up having to travel to Denver for the AFC Championship game and may well have cost New England another Super Bowl appearance.

(2) 11/12/72 Largest margin of victory in team history (52-0)

Miami was eight games through their perfect season when they hosted the 2-6 Patriots at the Orange Bowl.  The game was over early as Miami put up 17 first quarter points.

By the end of the game, Miami’s QBs went 11-19 for 307yds and 3TDs while also rushing for 181 yards and 4TDs.

(1)  9/21/08 “Wildcat Game” (38-13)

Even with the loss of Tom Brady in week one, the defending AFC champion Patriots were coming into this week 3 matchup at 2-0 and feeling good.

Miami, on the hand, was flying to Foxboro after being pounded by the Arizona Cardinals 31-10 in Glendale.  It was on that flight that head coach Tony Sparno, OC Dan Henning and QB coach David Lee decided they needed some ‘magic’ if they were going to save their season.  That night the “Wildcat offense” was born.

While Chad Pennington was a very efficient 17-20 for 226Yds, it was the Wildcat that bewildered Bill Bellicheck’s defense.  Ronnie Brown was the star of the game as he rushed 17 times for 113 yards and 4 TDs while also throwing a 19-yd TD pass to Anthony Fasano from the same formation.

The Dolphins went on to ride the ‘Wildcat’ to the 2008 AFC East division crown.  Meanwhile the loss proved to be the tie-breaker that kept New England out of the playoffs .  Miami hasn’t been to the playoffs since then while New England has won the division the last 7 seasons.

3 Worst Dolphins losses vs New England

(3)  10/12/80 Offensive Ineptitude (34-0)

While this game didn’t mean much to Miami, it was without a doubt a terrible game.  Miami totaled 88 yards of total offense and turned the ball over 4 times in the defeat.

(2)  12/12/82 “Snow Plow Game” (3-0)

Any fan over the age of 40 probably remembers this game, while those under 40 yrs old have at least seen the video.  A major blizzard hit the northeast causing the field to be both icy and covered in snow.

With the game tied 0-0 and 4:45 left in the 4th quarter, Patriots HC Ron Meyer told Mark Henderson (an ex-con on ‘work release’ ) to drive onto the field with his snowplow.  He cleared a spot for the field goal and the Patriots made the game-winning kick.

While many would consider this the most ‘famous loss’ to the Patriots, and I did consider putting it #1, the fact that Miami still went to the Super Bowl made it impossible to place this at the top of the list.

(1)  1/12/86 AFC Championship Game (31-14)

Miami came into this game having won the division at 12-4 and with the distinction of being the only team to have beaten the Chicago Bears during the regular season.

With the Bears having won earlier in the day, NFL fans were excited over the prospect of a Bears-Dolphins rematch in the Super Bowl.   Unfortunately, New England had other ideas.  The Patriots rushed 59 times for 255 yards and 1 TD.  QB Tony Eason completed 10 of 12 passes for 71 yards and 3 TDs.  The long-awaited rematch never happened and the Patriots went on to be blown out by the Bears 46-10.