Reflecting on the Miami Dolphins’ history, Dan Marino once remarked that after reaching the Super Bowl in just his second year, he certainly didn’t expect it to be his last time in the big dance. Fast forward, and it’s been 40 years since the Dolphins graced the Super Bowl stage, with the team often falling short of that ultimate goal.
Yet, the journey was not without its almost-moments. Let’s journey through the top 10 most exasperating seasons where the Dolphins were so close, yet so far from Super Bowl glory.
- 1985 – The Heartbreak After the Highs
Fresh off their Super Bowl appearance, the Dolphins looked ready to strike again with a sizzling 12-4 season. Riding a seven-game win streak into the playoffs, thanks to a legendary Monday night victory over the Chicago Bears, they found themselves thwarted by the New England Patriots.
Six turnovers and a missed field goal in a 31-14 AFC Championship loss ended their run, dashing hopes of a rematch on the biggest stage with Chicago.
- 1994 – The Qualcomm Collapse
This season still stings for Dolphins fans. They saw a 21-6 halftime lead against the Chargers slip through their fingers, culminating in Pete Stoyanovich’s missed 48-yard field goal attempt.
The game ended with the Dolphins witnessing the Chargers advance, only to watch them conquer Pittsburgh the next week, rubbing salt into fresh wounds.
- 1990 – Oh, What Could Have Been
With a 12-4 record, this Dolphins squad seemed set for greatness, had it not been for the era’s dominant Buffalo Bills. A potential game-turning interception slipped through linebacker Mike Reichenbach’s fingers as the Bills secured their path with a subsequent touchdown.
While Buffalo routed the Raiders thereafter, Dolphins faithful are left to wonder what might have been.
- 1992 – Bested by the Best
Though Miami reached the AFC Championship, the Bills were unequivocally the superior team. Despite hosting the title game, thanks to a stunning Pittsburgh upset, Miami couldn’t capitalize on their fortune and saw their Super Bowl dreams dashed once more.
- 2000 – Last Glimmers of Playoff Glory
This year marked Miami’s last playoff win, a distant memory overshadowed by a rough 27-0 loss to the Raiders. Yet, at the game’s start, the Dolphins were poised to lead until Jay Fiedler’s notorious 90-yard interception return for a touchdown flipped the script.
- 2002 – Playoff Dreams Dashed Early
An unconventional addition to this list, this season didn’t even culminate in a playoff appearance. Yet, with a powerful run game and stout defense, fans felt this was a year the Dolphins could shake things up.
Unfortunately, injuries to quarterback Jay Fiedler and a meltdown in their season finale at New England sealed their fate.
- 2023 – Recent Uncertainties
Another playoff appearance, another abrupt end. The promise of the 11-6 record faded against Kansas City, as defensive injuries wreaked havoc on Miami’s potential path.
- 1993 – Marino’s Missed Season
The legend’s season-ending Achilles injury in October left many pondering how far a 4-1 start could have propelled them, especially fresh off an AFC Championship game the year prior. - 2008 – Division Glory Yet Distant Dreams
The last division title for the Dolphins culminated in a wild-card round flameout against the Ravens, indicative of an offense that couldn’t find answers when it mattered most. - 2016 – Winning in Wild Ways
Although this team didn’t have the Super Bowl written in their stars, they charmed fans with an uncanny knack for regular-season victories. Their playoff journey, however, ended as abruptly as their success began.
The path to the Super Bowl is fraught with challenges and near-misses. The Dolphins’ history reminds us that sometimes the most memorable seasons aren’t crowned with championships but etched in the narrative of what might have been.