2006 Wild Card Playoff vs New York Jets

Lore & Background

The Jets and Dolphins were established in 1960 and 1966 respectively; both as members of the American Football League. After the AFL–NFL merger in 1970, the Dolphins and the Jets were placed in the AFC East, guaranteeing that they would meet twice a year annually. The rivalry has stayed intense through the years as both teams are always competitive against one another regardless of the standings. The rivalry also maintains a high intensity because of the large number of transplanted New York Jets' fans who retire to South Florida.

Before the New England Patriots rise to dominance in the early 2000s, the Jets and Dolphins regularly contested for the AFC East title (along with the Buffalo Bills in the late 1980s and early 1990s). Upon the Dolphins' joining the AFL in 1966, the Jets laid the seeds for their 1968 Super Bowl III victory. After the Jets' Super Bowl victory in 1968, the Dolphins began ascending to the top of the NFL, culminating in back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1972 and 1973.

The 1972 season also saw Miami finish with a 17–0 record; the only NFL team to finish the regular season and post-season without a loss or tie.

Reader's Guide

The Dolphins are one of four NFL teams with a winning record against every division rival after 100 games played against each of them (along with the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and Kansas City Chiefs). Conversely, the Jets are one of only three NFL teams with a losing record against every division rival after 100 games played against each of them (along with the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers).

Did You Know?

• The only tie in the series was a 28–28 stalemate in 1981.
• The highest-scoring game between the teams was a 51–45 Jets win in 1986 (96 total points).
• The Dolphins' A. J. Duhe intercepted Jets' quarterback Richard Todd three times in the 1982 AFC Championship, returning one 35 yards for a touchdown.