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 56–53.[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 home) every regular season since 1967.

Dolphins–Patriots rivalry

Miami Dolphins New England Patriots
First meeting	November 27, 1966 Patriots 20, Dolphins 14
Latest meeting	December 29, 2019 Dolphins 27, Patriots 24
Next meeting	September 13, 2020
Statistics
Meetings total	109
All-time series	Dolphins, 56–53
Postseason results	Patriots, 2–1 January 8, 1983: Dolphins 28, Patriots 13 January 12, 1986: Patriots 31, Dolphins 14 December 28, 1997: Patriots 17, Dolphins 3
Largest victory	Dolphins: 52–0 (1972) Patriots: 43–0 (2019)
Longest win streak	Dolphins, 9 (1989–93) Patriots, 7 (1986–88; 2010–13)
Current win streak	Dolphins, 1 (2019-present)

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 the time the Dolphins were one of the NFL's most successful teams, while the Patriots were one of the worst. The Patriots finally made the Super Bowl in 1985.

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. 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".[2] The rivalry briefly intensified in 2005 when Nick Saban (whom 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. In Week 3 of the aforementioned 2008 season, the Dolphins used the Wildcat formation to throw the Patriots 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.[3] 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".[4]

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,[5] 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.[6]

Season-by-season results

Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots Season-by-Season Results
1960s (Dolphins, 4–3) Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at Boston/NE Patriots Overall series Notes 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) Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots Overall series Notes 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 1973 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 52–0 Dolphins 24–14 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) Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots Overall series Notes 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 game 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 1969 (Dolphins had won 16 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) Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots Overall series Notes 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 1994 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 39–35 Dolphins 23–3 Dolphins 36–22 1995 Tie 1–1 Patriots 34–17 Dolphins 20–3 Dolphins 37–23 First time in 30-year series history in which the away team won both meetings 1996 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 34–7 Patriots 42–23(OT) Dolphins 38–24 Patriots lose Super Bowl XXXI 1997 Patriots 2–0 Patriots 14–12 Patriots 27–24 Dolphins 38–26 1997 Playoffs Patriots 1–0 Patriots 17–3 Dolphins 38–27 AFC Wild Card Round 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
2000s (Patriots, 11–9) Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots Overall series Notes 2000 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 10–3 Dolphins 27–24 Dolphins 43–28 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 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 since 2002. 2009 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 22–21 Patriots 27–17 Dolphins 50–39
2010s (Patriots, 14–6) Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots Overall series Notes 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 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
Summary of Results Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots Notes AFL regular season Dolphins 4–3 Tie 2–2 Dolphins 2–1 NFL regular season Dolphins 50–48 Dolphins 34–15 Patriots 33–16 AFL and NFL regular season Dolphins 54–51 Dolphins 36–17 Patriots 34–18 NFL postseason Patriots 2–1 Tie 1–1 Patriots 1–0 Regular and postseason Dolphins 56–53 Dolphins 37–18 Patriots 35–18

Connections between the teams

Coaches

Name	Dolphins' tenure	Patriots' tenure
Dave DeGuglielmo	Offensive line coach, 2009-2011, 2017, 2019 (asst)	Offensive line coach, 2014-15
Brian Flores	Head coach, 2019-present	Scouting assistant, 2004-05 Pro scout, 2006-07 Special teams assistant, 2008-09 Assistant offense & special teams, 2010 Defensive assistant, 2011 Safeties coach, 2012-15 Linebackers coach, 2016-18
Chad O'Shea	Offensive coordinator, 2019	Wide receivers coach, 2009-2018

Players

Name	Position(s)	Dolphins' tenure	Patriots' tenure
Will Allen	Cornerback	2006-2011	2012
Danny Amendola	Wide receiver	2018	2013-17
Brandon Bolden	Running back/Special teamer	2018	2012-17, 2019-present
A.J. Derby	Tight end	2017-18	2015-16
Jonathan Freeny	Linebacker	2011-14	2015-16, 2017
Larry Izzo	Special teamer	1996-2000	2001-08
Ted Larsen	Guard	2017-18	2010
Wes Welker	Wide receiver	2004-06	2007-2012
Junior Seau	Linebacker	2003-2005	2006-2009
Eric Rowe	Cornerback	2019-present	2016-18
Kyle Van Noy	Linebacker	2020-present	2016-19

References

1. "New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins Results | The Football Database". FootballDB.com. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
2. Galicia, Thomas (October 4, 2010). "Miami Dolphins-New England Patriots: Greatest Games In The Series". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
3. "Dolphins stun Patriots 38-13". The Seattle Times. 2008-09-22. Retrieved 2017-08-28.
4. Hoffman, Benjamin (December 9, 2018). "Dolphins Shock Patriots With a Miracle in Miami". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
5. 1972 Perfect Season - Miami Dolphins
6. "Giants prevent perfect season, beat Patriots". Sporting News. February 8, 2008. Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2008.