53rd season in franchise history
The 2018 season was the Miami Dolphins ' 49th in the National Football League (NFL), their 53rd overall and their third and last under head coach Adam Gase . During the offseason, the Dolphins tweaked their uniforms' orange color to better align with their classical past and history. For the second straight season, they also brought back their throwback uniforms from the Shula /Marino eras and wore them for three games.
With quarterback Ryan Tannehill playing for the first time since 2016 , the highlight of the Dolphins' season came during a memorable Week 14 win against division rival and defending back-to-back AFC champion New England Patriots , which prevented the Patriots from clinching the AFC East that week. However, the Dolphins would lose all of their remaining games and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The 7–9 finish was also the team's second consecutive losing season, with all 7 wins decided by one possession scores.
Draft trades
The Dolphins traded wide receiver Jarvis Landry to Cleveland in exchange for Cleveland's fourth-round selection they acquired from Carolina (123rd overall), and a 2019 7th round pick Cleveland originally acquired from Pittsburgh.
The Dolphins traded running back Jay Ajayi to Philadelphia in exchange for Philadelphia's fourth-round selection they acquired from New England (131st overall).
The Dolphins traded their fifth-round selection (147th overall) to New Orleans in exchange for linebacker Stephone Anthony .
The Dolphins traded the seventh-round selection they acquired from Tampa Bay (223rd overall) to San Francisco in exchange for San Francisco's seventh-round selection (227th overall) and center Daniel Kilgore .
2018 Miami Dolphins staff
Front office
Chairman/managing general partner – Stephen Ross
Vice chairman/partner – Bruce Beal
Vice chairman – Jorge Perez
Vice chairman – Don Shula
Vice chairman – Matt Higgins
Vice chairman, president and CEO – Tom Garfinkel
General manager – Chris Grier
Executive vice president of football operations – Mike Tannenbaum
Senior director, football administration – Brandon Shore
Director, college scouting – Adam Engroff
Director, pro personnel – Anthony Hunt
Director of football research – Brian Fleury
Director, football research & strategy – Matt Sheldon
Senior director, football and player development – Joe Vitt
Director, football and player development – Clyde Christensen
Director, analytics – Dennis Lock
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Head strength and conditioning – Dave Puloka
Assistant strength and conditioning – Jim Arthur
The Dolphins' 2018 schedule was finalized and announced on April 19.[ 1]
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Week 1: vs. Tennessee Titans [ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
TEN – Ryan Succop 47-yard field goal, 10:18. Titans 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 4:42.
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIA – Jason Sanders 27-yard field goal, 4:05. Dolphins 10–3. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:37.
Fourth quarter
TEN – Dion Lewis 4-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 14:17. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:48.
MIA – Jakeem Grant 102-yard kick return (Jason Sanders kick), 14:04. Dolphins 17–10.
MIA – Kenny Stills 75-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Jason Sanders kick), 10:22. Dolphins 24–10. Drive: 4 plays, 89 yards, 1:17.
TEN – Darius Jennings 94-yard kick return (Ryan Succop kick), 10:11. Dolphins 24–17.
MIA – Jason Sanders 30-yard field goal, 3:49. Dolphins 27–17. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 2:15.
TEN – Ryan Succop 53-yard field goal, 0:11. Dolphins 27–20. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 0:56.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Due to two weather delays, the game lasted for 7 hours and 10 minutes, the longest game since the AFL–NFL merger in 1970.[ 2] Coincidentally, wide receiver Danny Amendola met with former teammates Malcolm Butler and Dion Lewis . The three played for the New England Patriots from 2015 to 2017 and helped them win Super Bowl LI over the Atlanta Falcons .
Week 2: at New York Jets [ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIA – Albert Wilson 29-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Jason Sanders kick), 4:19. Dolphins 14–0. Drive: 2 plays, 49 yards, 0:46.
MIA – A. J. Derby 19-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (kick failed), 0:46. Dolphins 20–0. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 1:47.
Third quarter
NYJ – Bilal Powell 28-yard pass from Sam Darnold (kick failed), 11:58. Dolphins 20–6. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:09.
Fourth quarter
NYJ – Jason Myers 55-yard field goal, 10:11. Dolphins 20–9. Drive: 11 plays, 22 yards, 6:14.
NYJ – Jason Myers 41-yard field goal, 6:00. Dolphins 20–12. Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 3:05.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 3: vs. Oakland Raiders [ edit ]
Week Three: Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Raiders
7
3
7 3 20
Dolphins
0
7
7 14 28
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIA – Kenny Stills 34-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Jason Sanders kick), 12:11. Tied 7–7. Drive: 3 plays, 35 yards, 1:31.
OAK – Mike Nugent 25-yard field goal, 3:34. Raiders 10–7. Drive: 16 plays, 68 yards, 8:37.
Third quarter
OAK – Marshawn Lynch 1-yard run (Mike Nugent kick), 2:58. Raiders 17–7. Drive: 15 plays, 67 yards, 9:44.
MIA – Jakeem Grant 18-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Jason Sanders kick), 0:55. Raiders 17–14. Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 2:03.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Jakeem Grant 52-yard pass from Albert Wilson (Jason Sanders kick), 7:18. Dolphins 21–17. Drive: 2 plays, 70 yards, 0:48.
MIA – Albert Wilson 74-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Jason Sanders kick), 2:00. Dolphins 28–17. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:54.
OAK – Mike Nugent 52-yard field goal, 0:20. Dolphins 28–20. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 1:40.
Top passers
OAK – Derek Carr – 27/39, 345 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
MIA – Ryan Tannehill – 17/23, 289 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
OAK – Marshawn Lynch – 19 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD
MIA – Ryan Tannehill – 3 carries, 26 yards
Top receivers
OAK – Jordy Nelson – 6 receptions, 173 yards, 1 TD
MIA – Kenny Stills – 3 receptions, 61 yards, 1 TD
With the win, the Dolphins improved to 3–0, their first such start since 2013.[ 3]
Week 4: at New England Patriots [ edit ]
Week Four: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Dolphins
0
0
0 7 7
Patriots
3
21
7 7 38
at Gillette Stadium , Foxborough, Massachusetts
Date : September 30Game time : 1:00 p.m. EDTGame weather : 65 °F (18 °C), Sunny and WarmGame attendance : 65,878Referee : Alex Kemp TV announcers (CBS) : Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Steve TaskerRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
NE – Stephen Gostkowski 20-yard field goal, 5:28. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 6:37.
Second quarter
NE – Cordarrelle Patterson 55-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 12:10. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 2:08.
NE – James White 22-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 7:29. Patriots 17–0. Drive: 1 plays, 22 yards, 0:07.
NE – Phillip Dorsett 9-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 0:18. Patriots 24–0. Drive: 15 plays, 85 yards, 5:31.
Third quarter
NE – James White 14-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 6:49. Patriots 31–0. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 5:01.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
MIA – Ryan Tannehill – 11/20, 100 yards, 1 INT
NE – Tom Brady – 23/35, 274 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIA – Frank Gore – 11 carries, 41 yards
NE – Sony Michel – 25 carries, 112 yards, 1 TD
Top receivers
MIA – Albert Wilson – 4 receptions, 19 yards
NE – James White – 8 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD
With their first loss of the season, the Dolphins failed to earn their first 4–0 start since 1995 , during the Dan Marino era and Don Shula 's final year as the Dolphins' head coach.
Week 5: at Cincinnati Bengals [ edit ]
Week Five: Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Dolphins
0
14
3 0 17
Bengals
0
0
3 24 27
at Paul Brown Stadium , Cincinnati, Ohio
Date : October 7Game time : 1:00 p.m. EDTGame weather : 82 °F (28 °C), Mostly SunnyGame attendance : 52,708Referee : Craig Wrolstad TV announcers (CBS) : Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Steve TaskerRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
MIA – Jason Sanders 42-yard field goal, 9:25. Dolphins 17–0. Drive: 6 plays, 28 yards, 3:25.
CIN – Randy Bullock 51-yard field goal, 5:07. Dolphins 17–3. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 4:18.
Fourth quarter
CIN – Joe Mixon 18-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Randy Bullock kick), 14:54. Dolphins 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 3:30.
CIN – Michael Johnson 22-yard interception return (Randy Bullock kick), 11:43. Tied 17–17.
CIN – Randy Bullock 20-yard field goal, 3:30. Bengals 20–17. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:00.
CIN – Sam Hubbard 19-yard fumble return (Randy Bullock kick), 2:37. Bengals 27–17.
Top passers
MIA – Ryan Tannehill – 20/35, 185 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
CIN – Andy Dalton – 20/30, 248 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
MIA – Frank Gore – 12 carries, 63 yards
CIN – Joe Mixon – 22 carries, 93 yards
Top receivers
MIA – Kenyan Drake – 7 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
CIN – A. J. Green – 6 receptions, 112 yards
Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears [ edit ]
Week Six: Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Bears
0
0
21 7 0 28
Dolphins
7
0
6 15 3 31
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
CHI – Trey Burton 9-yard pass from Mitchell Trubisky (Cody Parkey kick), 13:27. Tied 7–7. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:37.
CHI – Allen Robinson 12-yard pass from Mitchell Trubisky (Cody Parkey kick), 11:33. Bears 14–7. Drive: 1 play, 12 yards, 0:05.
MIA – Jason Sanders 50-yard field goal, 7:55. Bears 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:38.
CHI – Tarik Cohen 21-yard run (Cody Parkey kick), 6:55. Bears 21–10. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:00.
MIA – Jason Sanders 25-yard field goal, 0:30. Bears 21–13. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 6:25.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Albert Wilson 43-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Brock Osweiler-Kenny Stills pass), 9:19. Tied 21–21. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:05.
CHI – Anthony Miller 29-yard pass from Mitchell Trubisky (Cody Parkey kick), 3:23. Bears 28–21. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:51.
MIA – Albert Wilson 75-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Jason Sanders kick), 3:17. Tied 28–28. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:16.
Overtime
MIA – Jason Sanders 47-yard field goal, 0:03. Dolphins 31–28. Drive: 6 plays, 28 yards, 1:55.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
A last-second field goal kick by Jason Saunders barely averted a tie and gave the Dolphins the win in overtime.
Week 7: vs. Detroit Lions [ edit ]
Week Seven: Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Lions
7
10
9 6 32
Dolphins
0
7
7 7 21
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DET – Matt Prater 29-yard field goal, 12:39. Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 2:38. Lions 10–0.
MIA – Kenny Stills 5-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Jason Sanders kick), 7:33. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 5:01. Lions 10–7.
DET – LeGarrette Blount 2-yard run (Matt Prater kick), 1:02. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:31. Lions 17–7.
Third quarter
DET – Matt Prater 28-yard field goal, 8:36. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 6:28. Lions 20–7.
MIA – Kenyan Drake 54-yard run (Jason Sanders kick), 7:06. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:26. Lions 20–14.
DET – Michael Roberts 4-yard pass from Matthew Stafford , 3:16. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:50. Lions 26–14.
Fourth quarter
DET – Matt Prater 35-yard field goal, 10:09. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 3:59. Lions 29–14.
MIA – Danny Amendola 24-yard pass from Brock Osweiler (Jason Sanders kick), 6:00. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:04. Lions 29–21.
DET – Matt Prater 50-yard field goal, 2:00. Drive: 8 plays, 44 yards, 4:05. Lions 32–21.
Top passers
DET – Matthew Stafford – 18/22, 217 yards, 2 TD
MIA – Brock Osweiler – 22/31, 329 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
DET – Michael Roberts – 3 receptions, 48 yards, 2 TD
MIA – Danny Amendola – 6 receptions, 84 yards, TD
The Dolphins were seeking their first win over the Lions since 2006 .
Week 8: at Houston Texans [ edit ]
Week Eight: Miami Dolphins at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Dolphins
7
3
10 3 23
Texans
7
7
14 14 42
at NRG Stadium , Houston, Texas
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
HOU – Jordan Thomas 13-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Ka'imi Fairbairn kick), 14:14. Texans 14–7. Drive: 2 plays, 16 yards, 0:36.
MIA – Jason Sanders 37-yard field goal, 3:01. Texans 14–10. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 4:32.
Third quarter
HOU – Jordan Thomas 2-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Ka'imi Fairbairn kick), 11:34. Texans 21–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:26.
MIA – Kenyan Drake 28-yard pass from Danny Amendola (Jason Sanders kick), 4:55. Texans 21–17. Drive: 4 plays, 51 yards, 1:46.
HOU – Will Fuller 73-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Ka'imi Fairbairn kick), 4:21. Texans 28–17. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:34.
MIA – Jason Sanders 41-yard field goal, 0:39. Texans 28–20. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 3:42.
Fourth quarter
HOU – DeAndre Hopkins 49-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Ka'imi Fairbairn kick), 14:49. Texans 35–20. Drive: 2 plays, 49 yards, 0:47.
MIA – Jason Sanders 46-yard field goal, 11:30. Texans 35–23. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:19.
HOU – DeAndre Hopkins 2-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Ka'imi Fairbairn kick), 7:34. Texans 42–23. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 3:52.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 9: vs. New York Jets [ edit ]
Week Nine: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Jets
0
3
0 3 6
Dolphins
0
6
0 7 13
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIA – Jason Sanders 43-yard field goal, 12:39. Dolphins 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 3:15.
MIA – Jason Sanders 27-yard field goal, 1:11. Dolphins 6–0. Drive: 14 plays, 51 yards, 6:03.
NYJ – Jason Myers 48-yard field goal, 0:20. Dolphins 6–3. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 0:51.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
MIA – Jerome Baker 25-yard interception return (Jason Sanders kick), 10:48. Dolphins 13–3.
NYJ – Jason Myers 56-yard field goal, 5:57. Dolphins 13–6. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 4:51.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 10: at Green Bay Packers [ edit ]
Week Ten: Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Dolphins
3
6
3 0 12
Packers
7
7
14 3 31
at Lambeau Field , Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date : November 11Game time : 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CSTGame weather : 33 °F (1 °C), cloudyGame attendance : 78,076Referee : Clay Martin TV announcers (CBS) : Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon and Steve TaskerRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Aaron Jones 2-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 15:00. Packers 14–3. Drive: 3 plays, 71 yards, 1:25.
MIA – Jason Sanders 25-yard field goal, 10:33. Packers 14–6. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:24.
MIA – Jason Sanders 47-yard field goal, 2:54. Packers 14–9. Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 2:42.
Third quarter
MIA – Jason Sanders 40-yard field goal, 11:43. Packers 14–12. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:23.
GB – Aaron Jones 10-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 9:38. Packers 21–12. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 2:10.
GB – Davante Adams 25-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 7:31. Packers 28–12. Drive: 3 plays, 27 yards, 1:27.
Fourth quarter
GB – Mason Crosby 38-yard field goal, 8:57. Packers 31–12. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 5:58.
Top passers
MIA – Brock Osweiler – 23/37, 213 yards, INT
GB – Aaron Rodgers – 19/28, 199 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
MIA – Frank Gore – 13 carries, 90 yards
GB – Aaron Jones – 15 carries, 145 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
MIA – Danny Amendola – 7 receptions, 72 yards
GB – Davante Adams – 4 receptions, 57 yards, 2 TD
Week 12: at Indianapolis Colts [ edit ]
Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Dolphins
7
7
3 7 24
Colts
7
7
0 13 27
at Lucas Oil Stadium , Indianapolis, Indiana
Date : November 25Game time : 4:25 p.m. ESTGame weather : Played indoors (retractable roof closed)Game attendance : 57,069Referee : Clete Blakeman TV announcers (CBS) : Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Bruce Arians and Melanie CollinsRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
IND – Jack Doyle 1-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 1:44. Colts 14–7. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 5:49.
MIA – Leonte Carroo 74-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Jason Sanders kick), 1:00. Tied 14–14. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:44.
Third quarter
MIA – Jason Sanders 29-yard field goal, 9:14. Dolphins 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 4:18.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Kenyan Drake 14-yard rush (Jason Sanders kick), 13:36. Dolphins 24–14. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:55.
IND – Adam Vinatieri 46-yard field goal, 8:26. Dolphins 24–17. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 5:10.
IND – Eric Ebron 12-yard pass from Andrew Luck (Adam Vinatieri kick), 4:25. Tied 24–24. Drive: 7 plays, 89 yards, 3:18.
IND – Adam Vinatieri 32-yard field goal, 0:00. Colts 27–24. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 2:38.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 13: vs. Buffalo Bills [ edit ]
Week Thirteen: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bills
0
6
3 8 17
Dolphins
7
7
0 7 21
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Date : December 2Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : 86 °F (30 °C), partly cloudyGame attendance : 65,155Referee : Shawn HochuliTV announcers (CBS) : Andrew Catalon and James LoftonRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
BUF – Zay Jones 15-yard pass from Josh Allen (kick failed), 11:44. Dolphins 7–6. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 5:05.
MIA – Kenyan Drake 3-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Jason Sanders kick), 0:40. Dolphins 14–6. Drive: 6 plays, 36 yards, 3:01.
Third quarter
BUF – Stephen Hauschka 32-yard field goal, 9:02. Dolphins 14–9. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 5:58.
Fourth quarter
BUF – Zay Jones 25-yard pass from Josh Allen (Josh Allen-Zay Jones pass), 12:00. Bills 17–14. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 3:24.
MIA – Kenny Stills 13-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Jason Sanders kick), 8:42. Dolphins 21–17. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:18.
Top passers
BUF – Josh Allen – 18/33, 231 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
MIA – Ryan Tannehill – 16/24, 137 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers
BUF – Josh Allen – 9 carries, 135 yards
MIA – Kenyan Drake – 7 carries, 31 yards
Top receivers
BUF – Zay Jones – 4 receptions, 67 yards, 2 TD
MIA – DeVante Parker – 4 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD
Week 14: vs. New England Patriots [ edit ]
Week Fourteen: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Patriots
6
21
0 6 33
Dolphins
7
14
7 6 34
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NE - Julian Edelman 2-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 14:14. Patriots 13-7. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:04
MIA - Brandon Bolden 54-yard run (Jason Sanders kick), 13:26. Dolphins 14-13. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:48
NE - Cordarrelle Patterson 37-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 10:32. Patriots 20-14. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:54
MIA - Brandon Bolden 6-yard run (Jason Sanders kick), 7:28. Dolphins 21-20. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:04
NE - Rob Gronkowski 16-yard pass from Tom Brady , 3:49. Patriots 27-21. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:39
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings [ edit ]
Week Fifteen: Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Dolphins
0
10
7 0 17
Vikings
21
0
3 17 41
at U.S. Bank Stadium , Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : December 16Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 66,841Referee : Walt ColemanTV announcers (CBS) : Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan WashburnRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
MIN – Stefon Diggs 13-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 11:40. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 3:20.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 13-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 6:21. Vikings 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:59.
MIN – Latavius Murray 18-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 1:32. Vikings 21–0. Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 3:38.
Second quarter
MIA – Minkah Fitzpatrick 50-yard interception return (Jason Sanders kick), 7:44. Vikings 21–7.
MIA – Jason Sanders 25-yard field goal, 0:14. Vikings 21–10. Drive: 14 plays, 61 yards, 6:03.
Third quarter
MIA – Kalen Ballage 75-yard run (Jason Sanders kick), 14:49. Vikings 21–17. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:11.
MIN – Dan Bailey 36-yard field goal, 8:40. Vikings 24–17. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:19.
Fourth quarter
MIN – Dan Bailey 34-yard field goal, 13:01. Vikings 27–17. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 4:35.
MIN – Aldrick Robinson 40-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 9:54. Vikings 34–17. Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 2:04.
MIN – Dalvin Cook 21-yard run (Dan Bailey kick), 7:49. Vikings 41–17. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:59.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
This was the Dolphins' first loss to the Vikings since 2002 .
Week 16: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars [ edit ]
Week Sixteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Jaguars
7
0
0 10 17
Dolphins
7
0
0 0 7
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Date : December 23Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : 73 °F (23 °C), sunnyGame attendance : 65,798Referee : Clay MartinTV announcers (CBS) : Andrew Catalon and James LoftonRecap , Gamebook
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
JAX – Kai Forbath 26-yard field goal, 10:54. Jaguars 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 4:46.
JAX – Telvin Smith 33-yard interception return (Kai Forbath kick), 9:34. Jaguars 17–7.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
JAX – Dede Westbrook – 7 receptions, 45 yards
MIA – Kenyan Drake – 4 receptions, 31 yards
With the loss, the Dolphins were eliminated from playoff contention.
Week 17: at Buffalo Bills [ edit ]
Game information
First quarter
BUF – Josh Allen 1-yard run (Stephen Hauschka kick), 10:14. Bills 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:46.
BUF – Zay Jones 18-yard pass from Josh Allen (Stephen Hauschka kick), 8:31. Bills 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 18 yards, 0:07.
Second quarter
Third quarter
BUF – Robert Foster 5-yard pass from Josh Allen (Stephen Hauschka kick), 9:09. Bills 21–14. Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 4:37.
BUF – LeSean McCoy 9-yard run (Stephen Hauschka), 6:57. Bills 28–14. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 1:48.
MIA – Jason Sanders 29-yard field goal, 1:28. Bills 28–17. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 5:29.
Fourth quarter
BUF – Josh Allen 30-yard run (Stephen Hauschka kick), 11:13. Bills 35–17. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 1:17.
BUF – Zay Jones 26-yard pass from Josh Allen (Stephen Hauschka kick), 7:44. Bills 42–17. Drive: 2 plays, 52 yards, 0:25.
Top passers
Top rushers
MIA – Kalen Ballage – 12 carries, 27 yards
BUF – Josh Allen – 9 carries, 95 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
This season finale marked the final games of players such as quarterback Ryan Tannehill , linebacker Cameron Wake , and head coach Adam Gase all in Dolphins uniforms.
#
Team
Division
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
SOS
SOV
STK
Division leaders
1[ a]
Kansas City Chiefs
West
12
4
0
.750
5–1
10–2
.480
.401
W1
2[ b]
New England Patriots
East
11
5
0
.688
5–1
8–4
.482
.494
W2
3[ b]
Houston Texans
South
11
5
0
.688
4–2
9–3
.471
.435
W1
4
Baltimore Ravens
North
10
6
0
.625
3–3
8–4
.496
.450
W3
Wild Cards
5[ a]
Los Angeles Chargers
West
12
4
0
.750
4–2
9–3
.477
.422
W1
6
Indianapolis Colts
South
10
6
0
.625
4–2
7–5
.465
.456
W4
Did not qualify for the postseason
7
Pittsburgh Steelers
North
9
6
1
.594
4–1–1
6–5–1
.504
.448
W1
8
Tennessee Titans
South
9
7
0
.563
3–3
5–7
.520
.465
L1
9
Cleveland Browns
North
7
8
1
.469
3–2–1
5–6–1
.516
.411
L1
10
Miami Dolphins
East
7
9
0
.438
4–2
6–6
.469
.446
L3
11[ c]
Denver Broncos
West
6
10
0
.375
2–4
4–8
.523
.464
L4
12[ c]
Cincinnati Bengals
North
6
10
0
.375
1–5
4–8
.535
.448
L2
13[ c]
Buffalo Bills
East
6
10
0
.375
2–4
4–8
.523
.411
W1
14
Jacksonville Jaguars
South
5
11
0
.313
1–5
4–8
.549
.463
L1
15[ d]
New York Jets
East
4
12
0
.250
1–5
3–9
.506
.438
L3
16[ d]
Oakland Raiders
West
4
12
0
.250
1–5
3–9
.547
.406
L1
Tiebreakers [ e]
^ a b Kansas City finished ahead of LA Chargers based on division record.
^ a b New England finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head victory.
^ a b c Denver finished ahead of Cincinnati and Buffalo based on strength of victory. Cincinnati finished ahead of Buffalo based on record vs. common opponents. Cincinnati's cumulative record against Baltimore, Indianapolis, the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami was 3–2, compared to Buffalo's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
^ a b NY Jets finished ahead of Oakland based on strength of victory.
^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (13) Conference championships (5) League championships (2) Retired numbers Media Current league affiliations Former league affiliation