The 2015Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 46th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 50th overall. The Dolphins looked to improve on their 8–8 record from 2014 and return to the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. However, Miami failed to clinch a playoff berth for the seventh consecutive season after a Week 14 loss to the New York Giants.
The Dolphins entered 2015 with Joe Philbin as their head coach for a fourth season. After the team started 1−3, Philbin was fired by the Dolphins. Dan Campbell, the team's tight ends coach, served as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season and recorded a 5−7 record.
The Dolphins traded their second-round selection (No. 47 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Philadelphia's second-round (No. 52 overall) and two fifth-round selections (No. 145 and 156 overall).[1]
The Dolphins traded their original seventh-round selection (No. 231 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie during the 2013 season.
With the win, the Dolphins started 1-0 for the second straight year. This was the Dolphins' first road win over the Redskins since their 1984 Super Bowl season.
Week 2: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Two: Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
BUF – Dan Carpenter 51-yard field goal, Bills 27–0.Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 0:42.
Third quarter
MIA – Rishard Matthews 21-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (Ryan Tannehill to Jarvis Landry for two-point conversion), Bills 27–8. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 3:14.Fourth quarter
BUF – Chris Hogan 38-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor (Dan Carpenter kick), Bills 34–8.Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:46.
MIA – Rishard Matthews 46-yard pass from Ryan Tannehill (kick failed), Bills 34–14.Drive: 4 plays, 48 yards, 0:51.
BUF – Karlos Williams 41-yard run (Dan Carpenter kick), Bills 41–14.Drive: 2 plays, 44 yards, 1:10.
Top passers
BUF – Tyrod Taylor – 21/29, 277 yards, 3 TDs
MIA – Ryan Tannehill – 26/39, 297 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTS
Top rushers
BUF – Karlos Williams – 12 rushes, 110 yards, 1 TD
Ryan Tannehill would be intercepted 3 times in this game, including a pick 6 by Preston Brown, and the Bills trounced Miami in their home opener 41–14.
With the embarrassing loss, the Dolphins fell to 1–2. This was also the worst home opening defeat in franchise history.
First quarterSecond quarterThird quarterFourth quarter
Top passers
NYJ –
MIA –
Top rushers
NYJ –
MIA –
Top receivers
NYJ –
MIA –
Top tacklers
NYJ –
MIA –
The Dolphins were considered the home team in the season's first International Series game. They lost dropping them to 1-3 heading into their bye week. A day later, Head Coach Joe Philbin was fired following a 24–28 record with no postseason appearances. Tight Ends Coach Dan Campbell was his replacement serving as an Interim head coach.
Week 6: at Tennessee Titans
Week Six: Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
First quarterSecond quarterThird quarterFourth quarter
Top passers
HOU –
MIA –
Top rushers
HOU –
MIA –
Top receivers
HOU –
MIA –
Top tacklers
HOU –
MIA –
The Dolphins thoroughly dominated the first half, scoring 6 touchdowns for a 41–0 halftime lead. With the win, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Houston Texans for the first time in franchise history. This was also the first time since 2003 that the Dolphins scored over 40 points in a game.
Week 8: at New England Patriots
Week Eight: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Game summary
First quarterSecond quarterThird quarterFourth quarter
Top passers
MIA –
NE –
Top rushers
MIA –
NE –
Top receivers
MIA –
NE –
Top tacklers
MIA –
NE –
The Dolphins travel to New England to take on the undefeated Patriots. The Dolphins looked to end the streak of the Super Bowl champions, but it was too late as Miami struggled offensively and defensively all game.
Cameron Wake left the game with an Achilles tear. The Dolphins later announced that he would miss the rest of the season. He finished the game with two tackles and a sack.
Week 9: at Buffalo Bills
Week Nine: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
First quarterSecond quarterThird quarterFourth quarter
Top passers
MIA –
PHI –
Top rushers
MIA –
PHI –
Top receivers
MIA –
PHI –
Top tacklers
MIA –
PHI –
The Dolphins would trail 16–3 at one point, but they would come back to beat Philadelphia. Near the end of the game, Reshad Jones intercepted Eagles backup quarterback Mark Sanchez to seal the game. This was the Dolphins' first win over the Eagles since 1999.
With the win, Miami improved to 4–5.
Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week Eleven: Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Tony Romo started this game for Dallas, and the Cowboys would snap their 7-game losing streak, while the Dolphins failed to get into any rhythm on offense or defense in the game. The Dolphins were also seeking a home win over the Cowboys for the first time since 1984. This game is known for being Romo's last win in the NFL.
With the tough loss, the Dolphins fell to 4–6.
Week 12: at New York Jets
Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary
First quarterSecond quarterThird quarterFourth quarter
Top passers
NYG –
MIA –
Top rushers
NYG –
MIA –
Top receivers
NYG –
MIA –
Top tacklers
NYG –
MIA –
With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 5–8, and were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 7th straight year, a franchise record. They also fell to 0–4 all time against the Giants at home, with 2003 being the last season the Dolphins beat the Giants.
Week 15: at San Diego Chargers
Week Fifteen: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
^ abcDenver finished ahead of New England and Cincinnati for the No. 1 seed based on head-to-head sweep. New England finished ahead of Cincinnati for the No. 2 seed based on record vs. common opponents — New England's cumulative record against Buffalo, Denver, Houston and Pittsburgh was 4–1, while Cincinnati's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3.
^ abPittsburgh finished ahead of the New York Jets for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents — Pittsburgh's cumulative record against Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England and Oakland was 4–1, while the Jets' cumulative record against the same four teams was 3–2.
^ abBuffalo finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory.
^ abJacksonville finished ahead of Baltimore based on head-to-head victory.
^ abCleveland finished ahead of Tennessee based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.