The Dolphins dedicated their 2020 season in memory of legendary Dolphins head coach Don Shula, who died on May 4, 2020, at the age of 90, at his Indian Creek, Florida home. At both home and away games, the Dolphins wore patches bearing Shula's surname and the number 347, the number of Shula's all-time number of wins in his 32 years as an NFL head coach. Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history, served as Dolphins head coach from 1970 to 1995 and had led the franchise to 5 Super Bowl appearances, winning back-to-back in 1972 and 1973. Famously, in 1972, Shula led the Dolphins to their first Super Bowl title, as well as the only perfect season by a team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
The Dolphins improved on their 5–11 record from the previous season, following a Week 10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. After beginning the season 1–3, the Dolphins established themselves as playoff contenders by winning five straight games and starting with a 6–3 record for the first time since 2001. They also started 8–4 for the first time since 2003. The team clinched their first winning season since 2016 after a Week 15 win over the Patriots, which eliminated the Pats from the playoffs for the first time since 2008. On December 26, the Dolphins clinched their first 10-win season since 2016 with a 26–25 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, despite the improvements, the Dolphins were eliminated from playoff contention for the fourth consecutive year following a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills and the Indianapolis Colts' victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17, becoming the first team to miss the playoffs with 10+ wins since the 2015 Jets, which, coincidentally, were also led by Ryan Fitzpatrick. Despite their elimination from the playoffs, 5th-year cornerback Xavien Howard joined Antonio Cromartie as the only players since the 1970 merger to record at least 10 interceptions in a season, and was the most by a Dolphins player since Dick Westmoreland in 1967. The Dolphins also clinched the rights for the 3rd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, which is one of the two first-round picks they received from trading Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills to the Houston Texans a season prior. The Dolphins had also finished the 2020 season by scoring a total of 404 points, which is their third highest-scoring total in a season in franchise history (the franchise's highest being 513 total points in 1984).
This season was also highlighted by the emergence of rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the 5th pick in the 2020 Draft, who was named the Dolphins' starter in Week 8, after the team began 3–3 under the leadership of Ryan Fitzpatrick. As the Dolphins starting quarterback, he went 6–3 and also became the fifth rookie quarterback since the 1970 merger to win their first three starts.
The Dolphins traded their second-round and fourth-round selections in the 2019 NFL Draft to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for their second-round and sixth-round selections in 2019, as well as their second-round selection in 2020.[1]
The Dolphins traded safetyMinkah Fitzpatrick, a fourth-round selection, and a seventh-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a first-round and fifth-round selection in 2020 as well as a sixth-round selection in 2021.[2]
The Dolphins traded offensive tackleLaremy Tunsil, wide receiverKenny Stills, a 2020 fourth-round selection, and a 2021 sixth-round selection to the Houston Texans in exchange for their 2020 first-round selection, as well as their first-round and second-round selections in the 2021 NFL Draft, offensive tackleJulién Davenport, and cornerbackJohnson Bademosi.[3]
The Dolphins traded a 2019 second-round selection, as well as their 2020 fifth-selection to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for quarterbackJosh Rosen.[4] They regained this selection after trading running backKenyan Drake to Arizona.[5]
The Dolphins traded a seventh-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for cornerbackAqib Talib and a fifth-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.[6]
The Dolphins traded a sixth-round selection to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a conditional seventh-round selection and centerEvan Boehm.[7]
The Dolphins traded a seventh-round selection to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for guardDanny Isidora.[8]
The Dolphins traded safetyJordan Lucas to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a seventh-round selection.[9]
The Dolphins traded a seventh-round selection (251st) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round selection.[10]
This was the Patriots' first game without long-time quarterback Tom Brady since October 2, 2016, and their first without Brady on the roster since January 2, 2000. With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–1.
Week 2: vs. Buffalo Bills[]
Week Two: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
This was the Dolphins' first win over the Jaguars since 2014 and their first win by 10+ points since a 2017 win over the Denver Broncos. With the win, the Dolphins improved to 1–2.
Week 4: vs. Seattle Seahawks[]
Week Four: Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
This was the Seahawks' first road win over the Dolphins since 1996, when the Seahawks were part of the AFC West. With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 1–3.
Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers[]
Week Five: Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
In this rematch of Super Bowl XIX, this was the Dolphins' first road win over the 49ers since 2004, also their first time since October 25, 2015 scoring over 40 points in a game, and their largest blowout win since December 3, 2017. With the win, the Dolphins improved to 2–3.
Week 6: vs. New York Jets[]
Week Six: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
This was the Dolphins' first shutout win since November 2, 2014, when they defeated the San Diego Chargers 37–0. Jets quarterback Joe Flacco also lost to the Dolphins for the first time in his 12-year career. Rookie Tua Tagovailoa, the 5th overall pick in the 2020 Draft made his NFL debut during the final seconds of the game, where he relieved Ryan Fitzpatrick and completed 2 passes for 9 passing yards, also Tua's first game since November 16, 2019 when he suffered a season-ending hip injury as a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide. With the win, the Dolphins improved to 3–3.
Week 8: vs. Los Angeles Rams[]
Week Eight: Los Angeles Rams at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
This was rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's first NFL start, with Ryan Fitzpatrick returning to his backup role for the first time since October 13, 2019. The Dolphins also defeated the Rams for the 5th time since 2001. The game was dominated by the Dolphins' defense, which forced the Rams into four first-half turnovers, and allowed the Dolphins to win with only 145 yards of total offense, the lowest yardage compiled by a winning team all season. During the 2nd quarter, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel scored his first NFL touchdown on an 78-yard fumble recovery, the second-longest fumbled return in franchise history since Dolphins Hall of FamerJason Taylor ran on an 85-yard fumble return in 2005. With the win, the Dolphins improved to 4–3.
Week 9: at Arizona Cardinals[]
Week Nine: Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
ARI – Christian Kirk – 5 receptions, 123 yards, TD
In a back-and-forth game, Miami pulled ahead late in the game with 10 points in the forth quarter, taking the lead with a 50-yard field goal from Jason Sanders after the two-minute warning. Kyler Murray drove the Cardinals into field goal range in the final seconds, but kicker Zane Gonzalez missed the potential game-tying field goal short, sealing a 34–31 Miami victory. With the win, the Dolphins not only improved to 5–3 for the first time since 2014, but also earned their first 4-game winning streak since 2016 and a win in Phoenix for the first time since 1996.
Week 10: vs. Los Angeles Chargers[]
Week Ten: Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Chargers
0
7
7
7
21
Dolphins
14
3
3
9
29
at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Date: November 15
Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
Game weather: Partly cloudy, Template:Convert/F
Game attendance: 12,751
Referee: Jerome Boger
TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Rich Gannon and AJ Ross
The Dolphins played without running back Jordan Howard as he got cut on November 16, 2020, after just 9 games with the Dolphins. In the fourth quarter, Tua was replaced by Fitzpatrick after Tua got hurt. Fitzpatrick attempted a comeback but threw an interception in the red-zone ending any chances of a comeback and dropping the Dolphins 6–4. Not only did the Dolphins fail to win in Denver for the first time since 2008, but Tua failed to join Ben Roethlisberger as the only rookie quarterbacks to begin 4–0.
Week 12: at New York Jets[]
Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary
Veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick made his first start since Week 6, as rookie Tua Tagovailoa was ruled out after suffering a minor injury during practices. Wide receiver DeVante Parker became the 9th player in franchise history to reach 4,000 career receiving yards, and the Dolphins swept the Jets for the first time in 2 seasons. With the win, the Dolphins improved to 7–4.
Week 13: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[]
Week Thirteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
For the first time since suffering a minor thumb injury, Tua Tagovailoa returned as the Dolphins starting quarterback. The Dolphins began 8–4 for the first time since 2003 and also clinched a non-losing season for the first time since 2016.
Week 14: vs. Kansas City Chiefs[]
Week Fourteen: Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Despite holding an 10–0 lead during the first quarter and attempting a comeback down 30–10 in the 4th quarter, the Dolphins not only failed to beat the Chiefs for the first time since 2011, but they also failed to beat them at home for the first time since 2006, and to beat an Andy Reid-coached team for the first time since 1999, which was Reid's first year coaching the Philadelphia Eagles. With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 8–5.
Week 15: vs. New England Patriots[]
Week Fifteen: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Not only did the Dolphins clinch their first winning season since 2016, but they defeated the Patriots at home for the first time since the Miracle in Miami, and defeated a Cam Newton-led team for the first time in franchise history. The Dolphins also eliminated the Patriots from postseason contention for the first time since 2008, and ensured their first non-winning season since 2000. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa became the 6th rookie quarterback to defeat Bill Belichick's Patriots, after Ben Roethlisberger, Mark Sanchez, Colt McCoy, Russell Wilson, and Geno Smith. Backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick also finished with a winning record in his career for the first time since 2015, when he played for the New York Jets, and for only the second time in his 15-year career. With the win, the Dolphins improved to 9–5.
Week 16: at Las Vegas Raiders[]
Week Sixteen: Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders – Game summary
Despite not holding a lead for much of the game and not scoring a touchdown in the first half, the Dolphins defeated the Raiders in a last-minute field goal made by Jason Sanders. Backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick relieved a struggling Tua Tagovailoa in the 4th quarter and threw to Myles Gaskin for a touchdown to hand the Dolphins their first lead of the game, 23–22. After the Raiders retook the lead with only 23 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Fitzpatrick threw a no-look pass to Mack Hollins, which Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dubbed "the greatest no-look pass of all time",[12] to set up Sanders' game-winning field goal. This would also be Fitzpatrick's last appearance as a Dolphin, as he tested positive for COVID-19 5 days later, which caused him to miss the season finale versus the Buffalo Bills, and would sign with the Washington Football Team as a free agent on March 15, 2021, the 9th team he has played for in 16 years. With the win, the Dolphins improved to 10–5.
Week 17: at Buffalo Bills[]
Week Seventeen: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Dolphins
3
3
7
13
26
Bills
0
28
7
21
56
at Bills Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
Date: January 3, 2021
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: Cloudy, Template:Convert/F
Game attendance: 0
Referee: Bill Vinovich
TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and AJ Ross
BUF – Antonio Williams 18-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 13:44. Bills 42–13. Drive: 5 plays, 79 yards, 2:45.
BUF – Antonio Williams 2-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 11:55. Bills 49–13. Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 1:37.
MIA – Salvon Ahmed 16-yard run (pass failed), 8:40. Bills 49–19. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:15.
BUF – Gabriel Davis 56-yard pass from Matt Barkley (Tyler Bass kick), 6:18. Bills 56–19. Drive: 1 play, 56 yards, 0:09.
MIA – Malcolm Perry 25-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa (Jason Sanders kick), 2:47. Bills 56–26. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:31.
Top passers
MIA – Tua Tagovailoa – 35/58, 361 yards, TD, 3 INT
BUF – Josh Allen – 18/25, 224 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
MIA – Salvon Ahmed – 6 rushes, 29 yards, TD
BUF – Antonio Williams – 12 rushes, 63 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
MIA – DeVante Parker – 7 receptions, 116 yards
BUF – Gabriel Davis – 2 receptions, 107 yards, TD
After the embarrassing blowout loss, the Dolphins failed to win 11 games in a season for the 12th consecutive year, when the 2008 Miami Dolphins| won 11 games. After the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars the same day, the Dolphins were eliminated from postseason contention for the 4th consecutive season. The Dolphins had also failed to become the first team since the 1999 Washington Redskins to clinch both a playoff berth and a top-3 pick in the upcoming draft, which is the first-round pick they acquired from trading Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills to the Houston Texans the season prior. With the loss, the Dolphins finished the 2020 season at 10–6.
