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10 best Miami Dolphins games of the past decade

By Matthew Stevens

MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 04: Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Dave Puloka of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 04: Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke and Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Dave Puloka of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown in the fourth quarter of their game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Jarvis Landry
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 17: Jarvis Landry /

1.  12/24/16  Miami Dolphins 34  Buffalo Bills 31 (OT)

Making this the number one game of the decade was a no-brainer because it had meaning and a great finish.

The Dolphins jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind rushing touchdowns by Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake.  Buffalo answered with a touchdown pass from QB Tyrod Taylor to WR Sammy Watkins to make it 14-7 at the half.

A 56-yard TD from QB Matt Moore to WR Devante Parker put the Dolphins up 21-7 to start the 3rd quarter.  A LeSean McCoy rushing touchdown was followed by a Kenny Stills TD catch to make it 28-14.  The quarter ended with a TD reception by former Dolphin Charles Clay to cut the Dolphins lead to 28-21 heading into the 4th quarter.

Next. The worst games of the last decade. dark

Former Dolphins kicker Dan Carpenter made a 28-yd FG and Clay caught his second touchdown of the day to give Buffalo a 31-28 lead with 1:12 left in the game.  With a big kickoff return (39 yards) by Drake and two completions by Moore, Dolphins kicker Andrew Franks hit a career-long 55-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining.

In overtime, the Bills took the kickoff and drove 48 yards but this time Carpenter missed from 45 yards to give the Dolphins new life.  After exchanging punts, the Dolphins would get the ball on their own 15 with 4:00.  Ajayi would rush 4 times for 75 yards, including a 57-yard run to begin the drive.  With 51 seconds remaining, Franks set up for a ‘chip shot’ 27-yard field goal to end the game.

What made this game special:  Besides the back-and-forth nature of the game, this win secured the Dolphins their only playoff appearance of the decade.

I know that fans will have a different take on this list so let’s hear your favorite game of the past decade.

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