Skip to main content
Advertising

Official website of the New England Patriots

Memorable Moments: Patriots-Dolphins, presented by Empower

As the Patriots and Dolphins prepare to meet in the regular season finale, we present a look at some memorable moments between the AFC East rivals.

Schaefer Stadium's snowplow operator, Mark Henderson, cleared a spot on the snowy field for Patriots kicker John Smith, who hit a 33-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to give New England a 3-0 win over Miami on Dec. 12 1982.
1 / 21
The Patriots reached their first Super Bowl in franchise history by "squishing the fish" in a 31-14 upset victory over the host Dolphins in the AFC Championship game on Jan. 12, 1986. New England racked up 255 rushing yards, converted six turnovers into 24 points and became the first NFL team to win three consecutive playoff games on the road.
2 / 21
AP Images
In a classic shootout, Miami outlasted New England 39-35 in the season-opener on Sept. 4, 1994. Dolphins QB Dan Marino, returning from a torn Achillies' tendon the year before, threw for 473 yards and five TDs, including one to former Patriot WR Irving Fryar for the go-ahead score.
3 / 21
The Dolphins sacked Tom Brady four times in his second-career start to secure a 30-10 win on Oct. 7, 2001. Miami DE Jason Taylor had a sack and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
4 / 21
After trailing 21-7, the Patriots rallied thanks to four field goals by Adam Vinatieri, whose 35-yarder in overtime gave New England a thrilling 27-24 overtime victory on Dec. 29, 2002.
5 / 21
Tom Brady threw an 82-yard touchdown pass to Troy Brown in overtime, allowing the Patriots to escape from Miami with a 19-13 overtime win on Oct. 19, 2003. Patriots DE Richard Seymour helped set up the win, blocking a 35-yard field goal attempt by Dolphins kicker Olindo Mare late in the fourth quarter.
6 / 21
* FILE * New England Patriots' Tedy Bruschi (54) celebrates as he crosses into the end zone after his interception for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., in this Dec. 7, 2003, file photo. Dolphins' Ricky Williams (34) is in background. Bruschi is fully recovered from a 2005 stroke and back at the Super Bowl as one of the New England Patriots' defensive leaders. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
7 / 21
Winslow Townson/AP Images
The Dolphins scored two touchdowns 44 seconds apart late in the fourth quarter, capped by A.J. Feeley's 21-yard pass to Derrius Thompson in a 29-28 comeback win over the Patriots on Dec. 20, 2004.
8 / 21
Patriots back-up quarterback Doug Flutie, then 43 years old, converted the NFL's first successful drop kick since 1941 when he booted in an extra point on Jan. 1, 2006. Miami won the game, however, 28-26.
9 / 21
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) fumbles the ball during a scramble against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter of a football at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
10 / 21
LUIS M. ALVAREZ/AP Images
Patriots RB Laurence Maroney rushed for 156 yards on 14 carries and Tom Brady threw three TD passes, as New England raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead in a 28-7 win over Miami on Dec. 23, 2007. With the win, the Patriots improved to 15-0 and passed the 1972 Dolphins for the longest win streak in a regular season.
11 / 21
Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown rushed for a team-record four touchdowns and threw for another as Miami unleashed the "wildcat" offense and cruised to a 38-13 win on Sept. 21, 2008.
12 / 21
Miami erased a 21-10 deficit thanks to the efforts of Chad Henne. The Dolphins QB threw for a career-high 335 yards and directed a 51-yard drive that set up Dan Carpenter's 41-yard go-ahead field goal with 1:02 left, giving the Dolphins a 22-21 win on Dec. 6, 2009.
13 / 21
New England Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington (27) runs towards the endzone after he recovered the ball from a blocked Miami Dolphins field goal at an NFL football game, Monday Oct. 4, 2010 in Miami. (AP Photo/ Lynne Sladky)
14 / 21
Lynne Sladky/AP Images
Tom Brady threw for 517 yards and four touchdowns, including a Patriots-record 99-yard strike to Wes Welker, in New England's 38-24 season-opening triumph over Miami on Sept. 12, 2011.
15 / 21
The final game for longtime analyst Gino Cappelletti was one to remember as the Patriots defense recorded seven sacks – three by Justin Francis – in a 28-0 shutout of Miami on Dec. 30, 2012.
16 / 21
The Patriots wiped out a 17-3 halftime deficit by scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half to cement a 27-17 win on Oct. 27, 2013. A three-yard TD run by Stevan Ridley midway through the fourth quarter helped seal the victory.
17 / 21
A view of the NFL Draft stage in Philadelphia.
18 / 21
Charles Krupa/AP Images
A view of the NFL Draft stage in Philadelphia.
19 / 21
Charles Krupa/AP Images
Malcolm Mitchell – Instagram (@malcolm_mitch26): season opener. Wishing good luck to the best high school in the world.
20 / 21
Malcolm Mitchell – Instagram (@malcolm_mitch26): season opener. Wishing good luck to the best high school in the world.
21 / 21
Advertising
This Ad will close in 3
Advertising

Related

gallery

Throwback Photos: Patriots at the NFL Scouting Combine

Take a look back at current and past New England Patriots players at the NFL Scouting Combine over the years.
gallery

Photos: Drake Maye at 2025 Pro Bowl Games

Check out photos of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye participating in his first Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Florida.
gallery

Photos: Best of Mike Vrabel

Check out some of the best photos of former Patriots linebacker and Patriots Hall of Famer Mike Vrabel.
gallery

Best 24 Photos of the Patriots 2024 Season, Presented by Sony

Check out the 24 best #ShotonSony game photos from the Patriots 2024 NFL season.
gallery

Best Game Photos: Patriots vs. Bills, Presented by Sony

Check out the best #ShotonSony game photos from the Patriots and Bills Week 18 matchup in the 2024 NFL season.
gallery

Photos: Pics From The Practice Field | Week 18

Check out photos of the Patriots practicing in preparation for their Week 18 game against the Buffalo Bills.
gallery

Best Game Photos: Patriots vs. Chargers, Presented by Sony

Check out the best #ShotonSony game photos from the Patriots and Chargers Week 17 matchup in the 2024 NFL season.
gallery

Best Game Photos: Patriots vs. Bills, Presented by Sony

Check out the best #ShotonSony game photos from the Patriots and Bills Week 16 matchup in the 2024 NFL season.
gallery

Photos: Pics From The Practice Field | Week 16

Check out photos of the Patriots practicing in preparation for their Week 16 game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
gallery

Best Game Photos: Patriots vs. Cardinals, Presented by Sony

Check out the best #ShotonSony game photos from the Patriots and Cardinals Week 15 matchup in the 2024 NFL season
gallery

Photos: Pics From The Practice Field | Week 15

Check out photos of the Patriots practicing in preparation for their Week 15 game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
gallery

Best Game Photos: Patriots vs. Colts, Presented by Sony

Check out the best #ShotonSony game photos from the Patriots and Colts Week 13 matchup in the 2024 NFL season.
Advertising

Latest Photos

Throwback Photos: Patriots at the NFL Scouting Combine

Photos: Best of Patriots Super Bowl Parades

Photos: Drake Maye at 2025 Pro Bowl Games

Photos: A Chronological Gallery of Super Bowl XXXVI

MORE LATEST PHOTOS
Advertising

Latest News

Presented by

2025 Free Agent Preview: Safety

2025 Free Agent Preview: Quarterbacks

Top Takeaways From Will Campbell and the Offensive Line's Workouts at the NFL Combine

With Beach Football League, retired Patriots linebacker Tully Banta-Cain hopes to build 'next Olympic sport'

2025 Patriots Mock Draft Tracker

Top Takeaways From Travis Hunter's Weigh-In, Defensive Back, and Tight End Workouts at the NFL Combine 

MORE LATEST NEWS
Advertising

In Case You Missed It

Presented by

2025 Patriots Mock Draft Tracker

Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the New England Patriots will do in the in first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

2025 New England Patriots Offseason Primer

Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming 2025 offseason for the New England Patriots.

Future Patriots Opponents: 2025 through 2027

A look at the Patriots opponents from 2025 through 2027.

Key dates on the 2025 NFL and Patriots Calendar

A calendar of important upcoming dates for the NFL and the New England Patriots for 2025.

Patriots to Begin Construction on a New Football Training Facility

The New England Patriots have mobilized on construction of a new football-exclusive training center scheduled to be completed in spring of 2026.

Full Ceremony: Tom Brady is Inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame

Watch the Patriots Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for Tom Brady. Hear from past Patriots legends, recounting a night with hundreds of former players, coaches, as well multiple special guest appearances.
Advertising