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 62–55.^[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 meeting	November 27, 1966 Patriots 20, Dolphins 14
Latest meeting	October 29, 2023 Dolphins 31, Patriots 17
Next meeting	October 6, 2024
Statistics
Meetings total	117
All-time series	Dolphins, 62–55
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, 2 (2023–present)
Playoff and Championship Success
Super Bowl Championships (8) Dolphins (2) – 1972, 1973 Patriots (6) – 2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018 Super Bowl Appearances (16) Dolphins (5) – 1971, 1972, 1973, 1982, 1984 Patriots (11) – 1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 AFC East Divisional Championships (35) (1970–present) Dolphins (14) – 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1981, 1982², 1983, 1984, 1985, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2008 Patriots (21) – 1978, 1986, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 AFL/AFC Championship Appearances (22) Dolphins (7) – 1971, 1972, 1973, 1982², 1984, 1985, 1992 Patriots (15) – 1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 AFC Wild Card Berths (14) (1970–present) Dolphins (8) – 1970, 1978, 1990, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001 Patriots (6) – 1976, 1982, 1985, 1994, 1998, 2021

800km
500miles

Patriots

Dolphins

  

Locations of the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots

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 3 teams in the AFC with a winning overall record against New England (the others being the 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.^{[citation needed]} 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 to 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]

2023 deadly fan altercation

During the Dolphins–Patriots game in Foxboro on September 17, 2023, a Patriots fan died after an altercation with Dolphins fans.^[16] The Patriots fan, Dale Mooney, had confronted a Dolphins fan who had been arguing with his group before another Dolphins fan delivered two punches to Mooney, who fell unconscious and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.^[17] Despite the attack, an autopsy found that Mooney did not suffer a traumatic injury directly from the punches and instead succumbed to a "medical issue", which a witness to the altercation surmised was a heart attack from "getting worked up from the scuffle".^[18] Two men from Rhode Island, John Vieira and Justin Mitchell, were later charged in Mooney's death for assault and battery and disorderly conduct, but not for homicide despite the medical examiner ruling Mooney's cause of death to be homicide.^[19]

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. 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) 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 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) 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. 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) 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 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 to 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) 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 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, 6–2) Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots Overall series Notes 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 2–0 Dolphins 31–17 Dolphins 24–17 Dolphins 62–55
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 57–50 Dolphins 39–14 Patriots 36–18 AFL and NFL regular season Dolphins 61–53 Dolphins 41–16 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 62–55 Dolphins 42–17 Patriots 38–20

Connections between the teams

Coaches/executives

Name	Dolphins' tenure	Patriots' 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

Name	Position(s)	Dolphins' tenure	Patriots' tenure
Will Allen	Cornerback	2006–2011	2012
Danny Amendola	Wide receiver	2018	2013–2017
Jake Bailey	Punter	2023–present	2019–2022
Brandon Bolden	Running back/Special teamer	2018	2012–2017, 2019–2021
Jacoby Brissett	Quarterback	2021	2016, 2024–present
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
Mike Gesicki	Tight end	2018-2022	2023
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
Jonnu Smith	Tight end	2021-2022	2024-present
Kyle Van Noy	Linebacker	2020	2016–2019, 2021
Wes Welker	Wide receiver	2004–2006	2007–2012

See also

• Celtics–Heat rivalry

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 (28 August 2019). "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. 25 January 2019. 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. 26 October 2021. 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. . 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. . Sporting News. February 8, 2008. Archived from the original on February 7, 2008. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
16. Rorabaugh, Dan (2023-09-20). "Here's what we know about death of Patriots fan at Sunday's game who was punched by another fan". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
17. Congi, Sera (2023-09-21). "Patriots fan who died after Gillette altercation did not suffer traumatic injury, DA's office says". WCVB. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
18. Casselberry, Ian (2023-09-20). "Patriots Fan Who Died After Fight at Game Had 'Medical Issue,' Autopsy Showed". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-01-07.
19. Sylla, Zenebou (2023-12-22). "2 men charged with assault in altercation that led to fan's death fan at Patriots game, prosecutors say". CNN. Retrieved 2024-01-07.