Dolphins–Patriots rivalry

The Dolphins–Patriots rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots.

Dolphins–Patriots rivalry

Dolphins and Patriots face off during the 2013 season.
Miami Dolphins New England Patriots
Location	Miami, Foxborough
First meeting	November 27, 1966 Patriots 20, Dolphins 14[1]
Latest meeting	November 24, 2024 Dolphins 34, Patriots 15[1]
Next meeting	September 14, 2025
Stadiums	Dolphins: Hard Rock Stadium Patriots: Gillette Stadium
Statistics
Meetings total	119[1]
All-time series	Dolphins: 64–55[1]
Regular season series	Dolphins: 63–53[1]
Postseason results	Patriots: 2–1[1]
Largest victory	Dolphins: 52–0 (1972) Patriots: 43–0 (2019)[1]
Most points scored	Dolphins: 52 (1972) Patriots: 49 (2007)[1]
Longest win streak	Dolphins: 9 (1989-1993) Patriots: 7 (1986-1988, 2010-2013)[1]
Current win streak	Dolphins: 4 (2023–present)[1]
Post-season history[1]
1982 AFC Wild Card: Dolphins won: 28–13 1985 AFC Championship: Patriots won: 31–14 1997 AFC Wild Card: Patriots won: 17–3

480km
298miles

Patriots

Dolphins

   

Locations of the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots

The Dolphins joined the AFL in the 1966 season, being placed in the AFL Eastern Division alongside the Patriots, becoming divisional rivals with them. Following the AFL–NFL merger, the Dolphins and Patriots joined the National Football League (NFL) and were placed in the American Football Conference (AFC) and the AFC East.

The Dolphins lead the overall series, 64–55. The two teams have met three times in the playoffs, with the Patriots holding a 2–1 record.^[1]

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. However, this notion would change in the early 2000s when the Patriots becoming 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, only posting a few winning seasons, while the Patriots dominated the AFC East.^{[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. 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. Boston/New England Patriots Season-by-Season Results[1]
1960s (Dolphins, 4–3) Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at Boston Patriots Overall series Notes 1966 Patriots 1–0 Patriots 20–14 no game Patriots 1–0 Dolphins join the American Football League (AFL) as an expansion team. They are placed in the AFL Eastern Division, resulting in two meetings annually with the Patriots. 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 was played at Tampa Stadium in Tampa.
1970s (Dolphins, 13–7) Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at Boston/New England Patriots Overall series Notes 1970 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 37–20 Patriots 27–14 Dolphins 5–4 As a result of the AFL–NFL merger, the Dolphins and Patriots are placed in the AFC East. Dolphins hire Don Shula as their head coach. Patriots' win was their only home win in the 1970 season. 1971 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 41–3 Patriots 34–13 Dolphins 6–5 Patriots open Schaefer Stadium (now known as Foxboro Stadium) and change their name to "New England Patriots". Starting with their home win, the Dolphins went on a 31-game home winning streak, an NFL record. Dolphins lose Super Bowl VI. 1972 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 52–0 Dolphins 37–21 Dolphins 8–5 In Miami, Dolphins set franchise records for their largest victory overall with a 52–point differential, their most points scored in a game (broken in 1977) and their most points scored in a game against the Patriots. Meanwhile, Patriots set franchise records their worst loss overall and their most points allowed in a game. Dolphins win Super Bowl VII to complete the NFL's first 17-0 season. 1973 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 44-23 Dolphins 30-14 Dolphins 10–5 Dolphins win Super Bowl VIII. 1974 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 34–27 Patriots 34–24 Dolphins 11–6 1975 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 20–7 Dolphins 22–14 Dolphins 13–6 1976 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 10–3 Patriots 30–14 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 In Miami, QB Bob Griese finished with a perfect passer rating (158.3). Both teams finished with 11–5 records, but the Patriots clinched the AFC East based on having a better division record. 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 (OT) Patriots 34–0 Dolphins 18–11 First overtime result in the series. In New England, Dolphins finish with 88 total yards, setting a franchise record for the fewest yards in a game. 1981 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 24–14 Dolphins 30–27 (OT) Dolphins 20–11 1982 Patriots 1–0 canceled Patriots 3–0 Dolphins 20–12 Due to the 1982 NFL Players' strike, the game scheduled in Miami was canceled. 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. 1983 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 34–24 Patriots 17–6 Dolphins 22–13 Dolphins draft QB Dan Marino. 1984 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 28–7 Dolphins 44–24 Dolphins 24–13 In New England, Dolphins finish with 552 total yards, setting a franchise record for their most total yards in a game (broken in 1988). Dolphins lose Super Bowl XIX. 1985 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 30–27 Patriots 17–13 Dolphins 25–14 Dolphins win 18 straight home meetings (1970-1985). 1985 Playoffs Patriots 1–0 Patriots 31–14 Dolphins 25–15 AFC Championship Game. Patriots' first road win against the Dolphins since the 1969 season and first win in Miami since the 1966 season. Dolphins' only home loss in their 1985 season after going 8–0 in the regular season. Patriots go on to lose Super Bowl XX. 1986 Patriots 2–0 Patriots 34–27 Patriots 34–7 Dolphins 25–17 Patriots record their first season series sweep against the 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 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 30–20 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 meetings (1989–1993). Patriots eliminate Dolphins from playoff contention with their win. 1994 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 39–35 Dolphins 23–3 Dolphins 36–22 Game in Miami marked Dolphins' QB Dan Marino's first game after missing most of the 1993 season due to a torn Achilles' tendon. Marino and Patriots' QB Drew Bledsoe threw for over 400 yards. Both teams finished with 10–6 records, but the Dolphins clinched the AFC East based on their head-to-head sweep. 1995 Tie 1–1 Patriots 34–17 Dolphins 20–3 Dolphins 37–23 Road team splits the season series for the first time since the 1969 season. Last season for Don Shula. 1996 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 24–10 Patriots 42–23 Dolphins 38–24 Patriots lose Super Bowl XXXI. 1997 Patriots 2–0 Patriots 14–12 Patriots 27–24 Dolphins 38–26 In Miami, Patriots clinched the AFC East with their win, setting up a rematch in the AFC Wild Card Round the following week. 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 In New England, Dolphins finish with 9 sacks, setting a franchise record for their most sacks in a game. Final season 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 Patriots draft QB Tom Brady and hire Bill Belichick as their head coach. Last Start for Patriots' QB Drew Bledsoe in the series. In New England, Dolphins clinched the AFC East with their win. 2001 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 30–10 Patriots 20–13 Dolphins 44–29 Tom Brady makes his debut in the series. Both teams finished with 11–5 records, but the Patriots clinched the AFC East based on having a better division record. 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 with their win, but both teams were eliminated later that day following the Jets’ victory. Beginning with that win, the Patriots went on a 21-game home winning streak." 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 24–10 Dolphins 46–33 2–11 Dolphins defeat 12–1 Patriots in what is dubbed "The Night That Courage Wore Orange". Patriots win Super Bowl XXXIX. 2005 Tie 1–1 Patriots 23–16 Dolphins 28–26 Dolphins 47–34 In New England, Patriots' backup QB Doug Flutie converted a drop kick for an extra point for the first time since the 1941 NFL Championship Game. 2006 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 21–0 Patriots 20–10 Dolphins 48–35 Following their win, the Dolphins went on a 16-game losing streak. 2007 Patriots 2–0 Patriots 49–28 Patriots 28–7 Dolphins 48–37 In Miami, Patriots score their most points in a game against the Dolphins as Tom Brady throws for 6 touchdown passes for the first time in his career. He also finishes with a perfect passer rating (158.3) for the first time in his career. Patriots complete 16–0 regular season. Patriots lose Super Bowl XLII. 2008 Tie 1–1 Patriots 48–28 Dolphins 38–13 Dolphins 49–38 In Miami, Dolphins frequently use the "Wildcat formation" to defeat the Patriots and end their 15-game home winning streak. The formation subsequently gained popularity across the league. Tom Brady did not play in either game due to a season-ending knee injury in the season opener. Both teams finished with 11–5 records, but the Dolphins clinched the AFC East based on having a better conference record, eliminating the Patriots from playoff contention. 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 In Miami, Patriots finish with 622 total yards, setting a franchise record for most yards in a game. It also set a franchise record for most yards allowed in a game by the Dolphins at the time (broken in 2019). Tom Brady finished with 517 passing yards, the most passing yards in a game in his career and a Patriots' franchise record for most passing yards in a game. It is also a franchise record for most passing yards allowed in a game by the Dolphins. 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 2014 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 33–20 Patriots 41–13 Dolphins 52–47 Patriots win Super Bowl XLIX. 2015 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 20–10 Patriots 36–7 Dolphins 53–48 Dolphins prevent the Patriots from clinching the AFC's #1 seed with their win. 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 Dolphins' win ended the Patriots 14-game road winning streak. Patriots lose Super Bowl LII. 2018 Tie 1–1 Dolphins 34–33 Patriots 38–7 Dolphins 55–52 Patriots win 10 straight home meetings (2009–2018). In Miami, Dolphins win on a lateral pass on the game's final play. Patriots win Super Bowl LIII. 2019 Tie 1–1 Patriots 43–0 Dolphins 27–24 Dolphins 56–53 In Miami, Patriots record their largest victory against the Dolphins with a 43–point differential. Dolphins prevent Patriots from clinching a first-round bye with their win. Game in Miami was QB Tom Brady's final regular season game as the Patriots' quarterback.
2020s (Dolphins, 8–2) 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 Dolphins eliminate the Patriots from playoff contention for the first time since the 2008 season with their win. 2021 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 33–24 Dolphins 17–16 Dolphins 59–54 Dolphins' first season series sweep against the Patriots since the 2000 season. 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 Final season Bill Belichick was the Patriots' head coach. 2024 Dolphins 2–0 Dolphins 34–15 Dolphins 15–10 Dolphins 64–55
Summary of Results Season Season series at Miami Dolphins at Boston/New England Patriots Notes AFL regular season Dolphins 4–3 Tie 2–2 Dolphins 2–1 NFL regular season Dolphins 59–50 Dolphins 40–14 Patriots 36–19 AFL and NFL regular season Dolphins 63–53 Dolphins 42–16 Patriots 37–21 NFL postseason Patriots 2–1 Tie 1–1 Patriots 1–0 AFC Wild Card Round: 1982,1997 AFC Championship: 1985 Regular and postseason Dolphins 64–55 Dolphins 43–17 Patriots 38–21 Dolphins are 1–0 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa (1969), accounted for as a Dolphins' home game.

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
Braxton Berrios	Wide receiver	2023–2024	2018
Pharaoh Brown	Tight end	2025–present	2023
Brandon Bolden	Running back/special teamer	2018	2012–2017, 2019–2021
Jacoby Brissett	Quarterback	2021	2016, 2024
Nick Buoniconti	Linebacker	1969-1974, 1976	1962-1968
Adam Butler	Defensive tackle	2021	2017–2020
Keith Byars	Fullback/tight end	1993–1996	1996 1997
Justin Coleman	Cornerback	2021	2015–2016
Bryan Cox	Linebacker	1991-1995	2001
A.J. Derby	Tight end	2017–2018	2015–2016
Trey Flowers	Linebacker	2022	2015–2018, 2023
Isaiah Ford	Wide receiver	2017–2020, 2020–2021	2020
Tony Franklin	Place kicker	1988	1984-1987
Jonathan Freeny	Linebacker	2011–2014	2015–2016, 2017
Irving Fryar	Wide receiver	1993–1995	1984–1992
Jabar Gaffney	Wide receiver	2012	2006-2008, 2012*
Davon Godchaux	Defensive tackle	2017–2020	2021–2024
Mike Gesicki	Tight end	2018–2022	2023
Brandon Gibson	Wide receiver	2013–2014	2015*
Chasen Hines	Guard	2023–present	2022
Mack Hollins	Tight end	2019–2021	2025–present
Damon Huard	Quarterback	1997-2000	2001-2003
Larry Izzo	Special teamer	1996–2000	2001–2008
Ted Larsen	Guard	2017–2018	2010
Jeron Mastrud	Tight end	2010–2012	2010*
Jason McCourty	Cornerback	2021	2018–2020
Raekwon McMillan	Linebacker	2018–2019	2022–2024
Sony Michel	Running back	2022	2018–2020
Lamar Miller	Running back	2012–2015	2020*
Sammy Morris	Running back	2004–2006	2007–2010
Calvin Munson	Linebacker	2019–2021, 2021–2022, 2023	2018–2019, 2021, 2022–2023
DeVante Parker	Wide receiver	2015–2021	2022–2023
Eric Rowe	Cornerback	2019–2022	2016–2018
Junior Seau	Linebacker	2003–2005	2006–2009
Jonnu Smith	Tight end	2024–present	2021–2022
Marcus Thigpen	Running back	2012–2013	2014*
Kyle Van Noy	Linebacker	2020	2016–2019, 2021
Wes Welker	Wide receiver	2004–2006	2007–2012

See also

• List of NFL rivalries
• AFC East
• Celtics–Heat rivalry