In recent years, the Miami Dolphins have consistently delivered electrifying and memorable performances, securing playoff spots each season thanks to their dynamism on offense. This has been particularly evident in our selection of the top 75 Dolphins games since the turn of the century, with an emphasis on the 2022 season, which contributed seven games – the highest for any year – plus an additional four from the previous year.
Each fan might rank these games differently based on personal sentiment and the thrill factor, but our criteria revolved around a mix of sheer entertainment and the stakes involved in each game. Special occurrences like unbelievable multi-lateral plays or unmatched game-ending confusion added spice to our selections, which also include commendable losses purely for their entertainment quotient.
Here’s a glimpse at ranks 36 to 40 in our top 75:
**40. Dolphins vs.
Steelers, 2013 -** Miami won 34-28, culminating in a heart-stopping finish characterized by a sequence of five laterals by Pittsburgh, reminiscent of Miami’s own future wild finishes. Charles Clay’s pivotal plays and Daniel Thomas’s remarkable 111-yard rush highlighted the game.
**39. Dolphins vs.
Eagles, 2019 -** In a season of rebuilding, the later part saw the Dolphins pick up their game, showcased perfectly in their 37-31 victory over Philadelphia. The highlight was undeniably the “Mountaineer Shot” – a bizarre yet successful trick play that involved a touchdown pass from punter Matt Haack to kicker Jason Sanders amid an unconventional formation.
**38. Dolphins at Chargers, 2017 -** Jay Cutler’s debut and a 122-yard rush by Jay Ajayi marked Miami’s narrow 19-17 win. This game, post-Hurricane Irma chaos, boiled down to a successful 54-yard field goal by Miami’s Cody Parkey, contrasted with a missed attempt by Chargers’ Younghoe Koo.
**37. Dolphins at Cowboys, 2003 -** A Thanksgiving showcase where Miami demolished Dallas 40-21. Vital plays included Jay Fiedler’s three touchdown passes to Chris Chambers and a significant fumble return by Jason Taylor, emphasizing Miami’s superiority on this festive occasion.
**36. Dolphins vs. Falcons, 2013 -** A testament to Ryan Tannehill’s ability to handle pressure, this game saw Miami overturn a deficit in the final moments with Tannehill finding Dion Sims in the end zone, securing a 27-23 win after a suspenseful 75-yard drive.
Continuing our review, here are some other notable games in our ranking series. Stay tuned as we explore more unforgettable moments from the Miami Dolphins’ recent history.