Dolphins vs. Patriots

Lore & Background

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.

The Patriots finally made the Super Bowl in 1985, having defeated Miami in the AFC Championship game to get there. Starting in 1986, the rivalry was a little bit more even, with the Pats having a 7-game winning streak from 1985 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 2 teams in the AFC with a winning overall record against New England (the other being the 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. In 2004, one of the most famous moments in the rivalry happened where the Dolphins, 2–11 at the time, upset the defending (and eventual) Super Bowl champion Patriots, who were 12–1, in a game that has been known as 'The Night That Courage Wore Orange'.

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.

Reader's Guide

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, 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.

Divisional Origins and Historical Shifts

The Dolphins-Patriots rivalry traces its roots to the 1966 season when both franchises joined the American Football League as divisional opponents in the Eastern Division. Following the historic AFL-NFL merger, they remained rivals within the newly formed AFC East. For decades, the dynamic was heavily skewed; Miami emerged as a powerhouse while New England struggled significantly. This imbalance persisted until the early 2000s, marking a dramatic reversal where the Patriots ascended into a dynasty under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, dominating the division. Conversely, Miami faced years of mediocrity with few winning seasons. While the Dolphins currently hold a slight edge in the all-time series at 64-57, New England has proven superior in high-stakes postseason play, holding a 2-1 record against their neighbors in three playoff meetings.

Defining Moments and Iconic Upsets

The rivalry is punctuated by memorable games that defied expectations. A standout occurred in 2004 when the struggling Dolphins (2-11) shocked the defending Super Bowl champions, who were riding a 12-1 record, in a contest dubbed "The Night That Courage Wore Orange." Another pivotal moment arrived in 2008; utilizing the innovative Wildcat formation, Miami defeated an injury-depleted Patriots squad led by Tom Brady's absence, snapping a historic 20-game regular-season winning streak for New England. The intensity peaked again in 2018 with the "Miracle in Miami," where a last-second hook-and-lateral play secured a Dolphins victory that cost the Patriots the top playoff seed, though New England still advanced to win the Super Bowl that year.

Unprecedented Perfection and Coaching Legacies

A unique distinction binds these two franchises: they are the only teams in NFL history to achieve an undefeated regular season following the AFL-NFL merger. The Dolphins accomplished this feat in 1972, finishing 14-0 and securing Super Bowl VII to complete the only perfect season ever recorded. Decades later, the Patriots matched the regular-season perfection with a 16-0 record in 2007 but fell short of history by losing Super Bowl XLII. Both organizations are also defined by their long-tenured leadership; Miami was steered for years by Don Shula, while New England enjoyed an era of sustained excellence under Bill Belichick, creating two distinct eras of dominance separated by time.

Modern Connections and Tragic Incidents

In recent years, the rivalry has been fueled by personnel connections and off-field drama. The intensity heightened in 2019 when Miami hired Brian Flores, a former Patriots assistant since their 2004 Super Bowl run, as head coach. This was followed by the drafting of Mac Jones by New England in 2021; Jones had previously backed up Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama. The coaching staffs also share ties, with Wes Welker joining Miami's ranks after a stint with New England. However, the rivalry took a dark turn on September 17, 2023, during a game in Foxboro where a fatal altercation occurred between fans. A Patriots supporter died from a medical issue triggered by a scuffle, leading to charges against two Dolphins fans for assault and battery.