Miami Dolphins’ Rivalries: Jets, Bills, and Patriots
The Miami Dolphins are a professional football team in the National Football League (NFL) that has had a rich history since their inception in 1966. Over the years, they have had several rivalries with teams such as the
New York Jets,
Buffalo Bills, and more recently, the
New England Patriots.
These rivalries have often led to intense games that have been etched in the history books. In this article, we will dive into and explore the Dolphins’ rivalries with the Jets, Bills, and Patriots.
New York Jets
The Miami Dolphins and the
New York Jets have been divisional rivals since the merger of the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League in 1970. As divisional opponents, the two teams have played against each other twice a year, every year, leading to some iconic moments in football history.
In 1982, the Dolphins and the Jets met in the AFC Championship game. The Dolphins were favored to win, but the Jets’ defense had other plans.
A.J. Duhe, a linebacker for the Jets, intercepted three passes, returning one for a touchdown in the fourth quarter that sealed the win for the Jets. Another memorable game between the two teams was the “Monday Night Miracle” in 2000.
The Dolphins led the Jets 30-7 in the fourth quarter, and it looked like they had wrapped up the win. But the Jets, led by quarterback Vinny Testaverde, rallied and scored 23 unanswered points to force overtime.
In OT, John Hall hit a game-winning field goal to secure the Jets’ comeback victory.
Buffalo Bills
The Miami Dolphins and the
Buffalo Bills have been divisional rivals since 1966, with some of the most iconic players in NFL history playing for both teams, such as Jim Kelly and Dan Marino. The rivalry between these two teams is intense, and they have often found themselves fighting for the top spot in the AFC East.
The Dolphins and Bills have faced each other in the playoffs twice, in 1990 and 1992. In 1990, the Bills were heavy favorites, with a record of 13-3, and were expected to cruise to victory.
However, the Dolphins had other plans, and Dan Marino led the team to a 17-10 victory in the divisional round. The two teams met again in 1992, with the winner advancing to the Super Bowl.
The game was a seesaw battle, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the game. In the end, it was the Bills who came out on top, winning 29-10.
New England Patriots
The Miami Dolphins and the
New England Patriots have had a relatively recent rivalry, with the Patriots dominating the AFC East for most of the last two decades. However, the Dolphins have had some memorable victories over the Patriots, including one in Week 17 of the 2019 NFL season, where the Dolphins prevented the Patriots from securing a first-round bye in the playoffs.
The Dolphins and the Patriots have faced each other in the playoffs three times, with the Patriots winning all three. One of the most memorable games between the Dolphins and the Patriots was in the 1985 AFC Championship game.
The game was played in harsh weather conditions, with temperatures dropping to -1F. The Patriots were no match for the Dolphins, and they lost the game 31-14.
Nick Saban, the current head coach of the University of Alabama, coached the Dolphins for two seasons before resigning in 2006. Soon after, he joined the University of Alabama and has become one of the most successful college football coaches of all time.
Bill Belichick, the current head coach of the Patriots, previously served as an assistant coach for the Dolphins in the 1970s.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Miami Dolphins have had some intense rivalries over the years, with the
New York Jets,
Buffalo Bills, and
New England Patriots being among the most iconic. The games between these teams have often resulted in some of the most memorable moments in football history, and fans can expect the rivalry to continue for years to come.
As we have already discussed, the Miami Dolphins have had some historical rivalries against teams such as the
New York Jets,
Buffalo Bills, and
New England Patriots. In this expansion, we will dive into the Dolphins’ riveting rivalry with the Bills and the Patriots that have led to some of the most heated moments in the NFL.
Bills vs. Dolphins Rivalry History
The Miami Dolphins and the
Buffalo Bills have been divisional rivals since 1966, and the two teams have played at least twice a year ever since.
As divisional opponents, both teams have come across each other in the playoffs twice, in 1990 and 1992, with each team winning a game. The Bills had one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, Jim Kelly, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Kelly played a significant role in the rivalry, leading the Bills to the top of the AFC East on many occasions. Quarterback Dan Marino, who was also inducted into the Hall of Fame, represented the Dolphins.
Marino was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history, and his battles against Kelly and the Bills were legendary. In 1990, the Dolphins were not expected to put up much of a fight against the heavily favored Bills, who had a regular season record of 13-3.
However, Marino put up a heroic performance, throwing for two touchdowns, including one in the final minutes of the game that sealed the Dolphins’ 17-10 victory. This game is considered one of the greatest upsets in NFL history.
In 1992, the tables turned, with the Bills edging the Dolphins out of the playoffs to advance to the Super Bowl. It was a hard-fought game, with both teams exchanging leads in the second half.
However, it was the Bills who came out on top, winning 29-10 and advancing to the Super Bowl. Top Quarterbacks in Bill vs.
Dolphins Shootouts
In addition to being divisional rivals, the Bills and the Dolphins have seen some legendary quarterbacks take to the field in their battles. Jim Kelly, as previously mentioned, played a significant role in the Bills’ success against the Dolphins.
Dan Marino, on the other hand, was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL at that time, and his battles with Kelly were nothing short of legendary. In the 1983 NFL Draft, both the Bills and the Dolphins were in the hunt for a quarterback.
The Bills picked Jim Kelly and signed him to a long-term contract. The Dolphins, not wanting to miss out on a top quarterback, chose Dan Marino in the first round.
The two quarterbacks would end up facing each other 21 times over the years, with each game filled with anticipation and drama. Some of the most memorable games between the Bills and Dolphins were high-scoring shootouts that saw both quarterbacks throw for over 300 yards.
One of these games was in 1984, where Marino and Kelly put on a show. The Bills were up by 10 points in the fourth quarter, but Marino led the Dolphins back with two touchdowns, including a game-winning pass to Mark Clayton with just seconds left on the clock, securing a 38-35 victory for the Dolphins.
Patriots vs. Dolphins Rivalry History
The Miami Dolphins and
New England Patriots have been divisional rivals since 1967, with the two teams playing each other at least twice a year since then.
The rivalry between the two teams is one of the most storied in NFL history, with the Patriots dominating over the past two decades. The Patriots have a rivalry record of 55-53-0 against the Dolphins, and they have won the AFC East division 17 times since 2001.
However, the Dolphins have had some significant victories over the Patriots over the years, including one in Week 17 of the 2019 season. Intense Moments in Patriots vs.
Dolphins Rivalry
One of the most intense moments in the Dolphins and Patriots rivalry was the 2007 game in which the Patriots were attempting to complete a perfect season. The Dolphins, who had a record of 1-14, were not expected to provide much of a challenge for the seemingly unbeatable Patriots.
However, the Dolphins had other plans, and they shocked the entire football world by defeating the Patriots 38-34. The loss prevented the Patriots from achieving a perfect season.
Another intense moment in the Dolphins and Patriots rivalry was the coaching history between the two teams. Nick Saban was the head coach of the Dolphins from 2005-2006, before resigning and joining the University of Alabama, where he has since become one of the most successful college football coaches of all time.
Bill Belichick, the current head coach of the Patriots, worked as an assistant coach for the Dolphins in the 1970s. This makes the rivalry between the two coaches even more personal, and it is always interesting to see how the two coaches match up against each other.
In Week 17 of the 2019 season, the Dolphins were trying to prevent the Patriots from securing a first-round bye in the playoffs. In a surprising twist, the Dolphins defeated the Patriots, assuring they would play in the wild card round.
Conclusion
The rivalries between the Miami Dolphins and the
Buffalo Bills and the
New England Patriots have been an integral part of NFL history. With some of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, such as Jim Kelly and Dan Marino, participating and memorable games engrained into the memory of fans, these rivalries have led to many interesting moments in football history.
In this article, we have explored the historical rivalry between the Miami Dolphins and their AFC East divisional rivals, the
New York Jets,
Buffalo Bills, and
New England Patriots. We have discussed some of the most memorable games between each team, as well as the impact that legendary quarterbacks such as Jim Kelly and Dan Marino have had on the rivalries.
Additionally, we have touched on the personal connections that coaches Nick Saban and Bill Belichick have to each other and the rivalry. Overall, these rivalries have helped shape NFL history and are a key part of the ongoing story of this American institution.
FAQs:
1. When did the Dolphins and Bills become divisional rivals?
The Miami Dolphins and
Buffalo Bills became divisional rivals in 1966. 2.
How many times have the Dolphins and the Patriots faced each other in the playoffs? The Dolphins and the Patriots have faced each other in the playoffs three times, with the Patriots winning all three.
3. Who were the notable quarterbacks involved in the Bills vs.
Dolphins rivalry? Jim Kelly played for the Bills, and Dan Marino played for the Dolphins.
Both were inducted into the Hall of Fame. 4.
What connection do coaches Nick Saban and Bill Belichick have to each other and the rivalry? Saban coached the Dolphins from 2005-2006, while Belichick worked as an assistant coach for the Dolphins in the 1970s.
5. Why was the 2007 game between the Patriots and the Dolphins important?
The game prevented the Patriots from achieving a perfect season, and was a significant upset, with the 1-14 Dolphins defeating the seemingly unbeatable 16-0 Patriots.