2010 Miami Dolphins season
Encyclopedia
The 2010
Miami Dolphins
season was the organization's 41st season in the National Football League
and 45th overall. The Dolphins are entering the 2010 season coming off a third place finish in the AFC East
7–9
, stepped down as Vice President of Football Operations, but remaining as a consultant. He was later criticised for not making the right choices to improve the team.
The Dolphins lost their first coach of the offseason—outside linebackers coach Jim Reid—on January 8, when Reid was named defensive coordinator and associated head coach under Mike London
at the University of Virginia
.
That same week, inside linebackers coach George Edwards
was named defensive coordinator at the University of Florida
under Urban Meyer
and acting head coach Steve Addazio
. He would later go on to fill the Buffalo Bills
' defensive coordinator position.
On January 11th, the Dolphins fired defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni
after the team finished 25th in the league in points allowed during the season. He was quickly replaced by former Denver Broncos
defensive coordinator, Mike Nolan
, less than 24 hours after resigning his post in Denver. Former New York Giants
defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan
was named linebackers coach to replace both Edwards and Reid.
Notes
Team Captains
Yeremiah Bell, Patrick Cobbs, Karlos Dansby, and Jake Long.
for an AFC East duel with the Buffalo Bills
. In the first quarter, Miami struck first when kicker Dan Carpenter
nailed a 32-yard field goal, which was increased in the second quarter when running back Ronnie Brown
got a 1-yard TD run. The Bills replied when kicker Rian Lindell
made a 51-yard field goal.
In the fourth quarter, Miami scored first with Carpenter hitting a 43-yard field goal. Then, the Bills replied with quarterback Trent Edwards
making a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roscoe Parrish
. The final score was made when long snapper Garrison Sanborn
fumbled out of bounds for a safety.
With the win, the Dolphins began the season at 1–0.
for an interconference duel with the Vikings. In the first quarter, the Dolphins got the early lead as QB Chad Henne
made a 5-yard TD pass to WR Brian Hartline
. In the third quarter, the Dolphins increased their lead when LB Koa Misi
recovered a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown, but Minnesota scored with RB Adrian Peterson completing a 1-yard TD run. The Vikings tried to fight back in the 4th quarter with kicker Ryan Longwell
nailing a 28-yard field goal, but Miami's defense prevented anything else from happening, giving Miami a win.
With the win, Miami improved to 2–0.
, on Sunday night. Miami trailed early in the first quarter as Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez
completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dustin Keller
. The Dolphins' deficit would increase in the second quarter as Sanchez hooked up with Keller again on a 3-yard touchdown pass. Miami would respond with quarterback Chad Henne
completing a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Fasano
, followed by kicker Dan Carpenter
making a 44-yard field goal.
The Dolphins would take the lead in the third quarter as Henne connected with wide receiver Brandon Marshall
on an 11-yard touchdown pass, but New York would immediately respond as Sanchez found wide receiver Braylon Edwards
on a 67-yard touchdown pass. Miami would answer with Carpenter's 20-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Jets would add onto their lead as kicker Nick Folk
got a 30-yard field goal. The Dolphins would chip away as their deficit as Carpenter booted a 50-yard field goal, but New York would pull away as running back LaDainian Tomlinson
got a 1-yard touchdown run. Miami tried to rally, but the Jets' defense held on for the win.
With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 2–1.
on Monday night. Miami delivered the opening punch in the first quarter as quarterback Chad Henne
hooked up with wide receiver Davone Bess
on a 19-yard touchdown pass. In the second quarter, the Patriots answered with kicker Stephen Gostkowski
making a 23-yard and a 30-yard field goal.
New England took the lead in the third quarter as wide receiver Brandon Tate
returned the second half's opening kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown, followed by running back BenJarvis Green-Ellis' 12-yard touchdown run. The Dolphins responded with Henne completing a 28-yard touchdown pass to running back Ricky Williams
, but the Patriots came right back with quarterback Tom Brady
's 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Danny Woodhead
. New England would continue its dominance on special teams in the fourth quarter as cornerback Kyle Arrington
returned a blocked field goal 35 yards for a touchdown. Afterwards, the Patriots sealed the win as safety Patrick Chung
returned an interception 51 yards for a touchdown.
With the loss, Miami went into its bye week at 2–2.
for an Interconference duel against the Packers. In the first quarter the Dolphins trailed early with kicker Mason Crosby
nailing a 46-yard field goal. But they replied with QB Chad Henne
making a 2-yard TD pass to WR Davone Bess
. The lead didn't last very long after QB Aaron Rodgers
made an 86-yard TD pass to WR Greg Jennings
. The Dolphins tied the game in the second quarter with kicker Dan Carpenter
hitting a 53-yard field goal. He also made a 41-yard field goal to put the Dolphins up 13–10. In the fourth quarter the Packers tied the game with Crosby making a 46-yard field goal, but the Dolphins got the lead back when Henne found TE Anthony Fasano
on a 22-yard TD pass. Green Bay replied with Rodgers scrambling 1 yard to the endzone for a touchdown to put the game in overtime. After overtime, the decision was made when Carpenter successfully put away a 44-yard field goal to give the Dolphins the win.
With the win, the Dolphins improved to 3–2.
. The Dolphins delivered the opening splash in the first quarter with a 39-yard and a 23-yard field goal from kicker Dan Carpenter
. In the second quarter, the Steelers took the lead with kicker Jeff Reed getting a 22-yard field goal, followed by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
completing a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hines Ward
. Miami would respond with Carpenter's 22-yard field goal, but Pittsburgh struck back with Roethlisberger's 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Wallace
. The Dolphins would close out the half as quarterback Chad Henne
found wide receiver Davone Bess
on a 25-yard touchdown pass.
The Steelers added onto their lead in the third quarter as Reed got a 39-yard field goal. Miami would answer with Carpenter's 37-yard field goal. The Dolphins regained the lead in the fourth quarter as Carpenter booted a 40-yard field goal, but Pittsburgh answered with Reed making an 18-yard field goal. The Dolphins tried to rally, but the Steelers' defense held on for the win.
With the loss, Miami fell to 3–3.
for an AFC duel with the Bengals. In the first quarter the Dolphins trailed early as QB Carson Palmer
got a 7-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens
. They soon replied with kicker Dan Carpenter
hitting a 38 and a 42 yard field goal. The Dolphins fell further behind with Palmer finding Owens again on a 37-yard TD pass. The Dolphins caught up and eventually took the lead with Carpenter hitting a 24, 54, and a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter to put the Dolphins up 15–14. They increased their lead with RB Ricky Williams
making a 1-yard TD run.
With the win, the Dolphins improved to 4–3.
completed a 32-yard TD pass to RB Willis McGahee
. They replied with RB Ronnie Brown
getting a 12-yard TD run. The Ravens got the lead back after kicker Billy Cundiff
made a 26 and a 39-yard field goal. The Dolphins narrowed the lead with kicker Dan Carpenter
nailing a 19-yard field goal. The Dolphins fell further behind after Flacco found WR Derrick Mason
on a 12-yard TD pass. This was followed in the 4th quarter by Cundiff hitting a 20 and a 24-yard field goal.
With the loss, Miami fell to 4–4.
got a 2-yard TD run. The Titans replied with RB Chris Johnson
getting a 17-yard TD run. They fell behind after kicker Rob Bironas
nailed a 40-yard field goal. They eventually took the lead after kicker Dan Carpenter
made a 23 and a 26-yard field goal, which was soon followed by QB Chad Henne
completing a 13-yard TD pass to RB Patrick Cobbs
. The Titans replied with QB Vince Young
completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Nate Washington
, but the Dolphins continued to score after Carpenter got a 42-yard field goal, followed by QB Tyler Thigpen
making a 9-yard TD pass to TE Anthony Fasano
(With a failed 2-point conversion). Then FS Reshad Jones
intercepted a pass in the end zone for a touchback.
With the win, the Dolphins improved to 5–4.
on Thursday night. Miami trailed early in the first quarter as Bears kicker Robbie Gould
got a 46-yard field goal. Chicago added onto their lead in the second quarter with Gould making a 24-yard field goal.
The Bears continued to increase their lead with Gould's 50-yard field goal, followed by a touchdown scored by running back Matt Forté
. This was the final score of the game, with Chicago's defense preventing any score by the Dolphins.
With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 5–5.
returned a kick-off 101 yards to their own endzone for a touchdown. They overcame this deficit with kicker Dan Carpenter
nailing a 49-yard field goal, followed by QB Chad Henne
completing a 29-yard TD pass to RB Patrick Cobbs
. The Raiders replied as QB Bruce Gradkowski
made a 44-yard TD pass to Ford. The Dolphins got the lead back as Carpenter got a 23-yard field goal, followed by Henne getting a 57-yard TD pass to WR Marlon Moore
, and with Carpenter nailing a 44-yard field goal. The lead was narrowed when kicker Sebastian Janikowski
hit a 30-yard field goal, but the Dolphins pulled away with Carpenter getting a 25-yard field goal, and with RB Ricky Williams
getting a 45-yard TD run.
With the win, Miami improved to 6–5.
made a 32-yard field goal. They replied with kicker Dan Carpenter
hitting a 60-yard field goal. They trailed again with QB Jake Delhomme
completing a 3-yard TD pass to TE Benjamin Watson
. But they replied in the fourth quarter with QB Chad Henne
making an 11-yard TD pass to TE Anthony Fasano
. The Browns scored again after Dawson nailed a 23-yard field goal.
With the loss, Miami fell to 6–6.
for an AFC East rivalry match against the Jets. The Dolphins took the lead with kicker Dan Carpenter
nailing a 47-yard field goal, followed by QB Chad Henne
completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Marshall
. The Jets responded with kicker Nick Folk
hitting a 35 and a 42-yard field goal.
With the win, Miami improved to 7–6.
. The Dolphins lost. The final score was seventeen (17) to fourteen (14) and the Dolphins never lead during the game.
The second quarter saw Miami trailing early with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
completing an 18-yard TD pass to WR David Nelson
. This was followed by kicker Rian Lindell
nailing a 29-yard field goal. The Dolphins responded with RB Ronnie Brown
getting a 6-yard TD run, but trailed further in the third quarter with Fitzpatrick throwing a 15-yard TD pass to WR Steve Johnson
. The Dolphins tried to cut the lead with QB Chad Henne
getting a 9-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Marshall
, but the Bills defense denied any more offensive chances.
With the loss, Miami fell to 7–7, and was officially eliminated from playoff contention. Reaction around the Miami area was palpable, with many fans and the media calling for head coach Tony Sparano
to resign at the end of the season.
nailed a 39-yard field goal. They re-tied the game with kicker Dan Carpenter
hit a 40-yard field goal. The Lions scored again with QB Shaun Hill
completing a 20-yard TD pass to TE Brandon Pettigrew
, but the Dolphins got the lead back with FB Lousaka Polite
getting a 4-yard TD run, followed by QB Chad Henne
getting a 13-yard TD pass to WR Davone Bess
. The Lions tied the game with RB Maurice Morris
getting a 5-yard TD run, but the Dolphins scored to take the lead again with RB Ronnie Brown
getting a 1-yard TD run, followed by Carpenter hitting a 28-yard field goal. They failed to maintain this lead after QB Shaun Hill
completed a 53-yard TD pass to RB Jahvid Best
, followed by Rayner making a 47-yard field goal, then with MLB DeAndre Levy
returning an interception 30 yards for a touchdown.
With the loss, Miami fell to 7–8.
throwing a 13-yard TD pass to WR Rob Gronkowski
, followed by BenJarvus Green-Ellis
getting a 1-yard TD run, then with kicker Shayne Graham
nailing a 28-yard field goal. The Dolphins continued to struggle after a three-and-out was converted into a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown by Julian Edelman
, followed by Brady making a 10-yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler
, then with QB Brian Hoyer
completing a 42-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Tate
. The Dolphins made their only score of the game with QB Tyler Thigpen
throwing a 21-yard TD pass to WR Davone Bess
.
With the loss, Miami finished their season with a 7–9 record.
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was the organization's 41st season in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
and 45th overall. The Dolphins are entering the 2010 season coming off a third place finish in the AFC East
AFC East
The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets...
7–9
Staff Changes
In September 2010, Bill ParcellsBill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
, stepped down as Vice President of Football Operations, but remaining as a consultant. He was later criticised for not making the right choices to improve the team.
The Dolphins lost their first coach of the offseason—outside linebackers coach Jim Reid—on January 8, when Reid was named defensive coordinator and associated head coach under Mike London
Mike London
Mike London is the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers football program of the University of Virginia. A native of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, London played college and pro football as a defensive back for the Richmond Spiders and Dallas Cowboys...
at the University of Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers football
Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
.
That same week, inside linebackers coach George Edwards
George Edwards (American football)
George Edwards is an American football coach, the latest hiring by the Buffalo Bills, now serving as their defensive coordinator...
was named defensive coordinator at the University of Florida
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
under Urban Meyer
Urban Meyer
Urban Frank Meyer, III is an American football coach and former player. He is head football coach at Ohio State University, having been hired for the position in November 2011...
and acting head coach Steve Addazio
Steve Addazio
Steve Addazio is an American college football coach and former player, and is head coach of the Temple Owls football team that represents Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...
. He would later go on to fill the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
' defensive coordinator position.
On January 11th, the Dolphins fired defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni
Paul Pasqualoni
Paul Pasqualoni is the current head coach of the University of Connecticut football team. On January 13, 2011, Pasqualoni was named to lead the Huskies, two weeks after former coach Randy Edsall left for the University of Maryland....
after the team finished 25th in the league in points allowed during the season. He was quickly replaced by former Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
defensive coordinator, Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan
Mike Nolan is an American football coach and the current defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins...
, less than 24 hours after resigning his post in Denver. Former New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan
Bill Sheridan
Bill Sheridan is an American football coach who is currently the inside linebackers coach for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was a coach for a number of college teams, including Notre Dame and Michigan State. From 2005 to 2008 he was the linebackers coach for the New York...
was named linebackers coach to replace both Edwards and Reid.
Re-signings
- June 17 — Re-signed linebacker Tim DobbinsTim DobbinsTimothy L. Dobbins , an American football linebacker, signed with the Houston Texans of the National Football League in August 2011. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft as an inside linebacker for their 3/4 scheme...
to a two-year extension. - June 18 — Re-signed punter Brandon FieldsBrandon FieldsBrandon David Fields is an American football punter for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the seventh round in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State.-Early years:Fields attended St. John's Jesuit High School in Toledo,...
to a two-year extension, and signed long snapper John DenneyJohn DenneyJohn S. Denney is an American football long snapper for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
to a three-year extension. - July 27 — Re-signed kicker Dan CarpenterDan CarpenterDaniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
to a three-year extension. - August 6 – Re-signed tight end David MartinDavid Martin (American football)David Earl Martin is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
. Martin had missed the entire 2009 season with a knee injury, and was released from the team in December. - August 16 – Re-signed defensive end/outside linebacker Ikaika Alama-FrancisIkaika Alama-FrancisIkaika Alama-Francis is an American football outside linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
to a one-year extension.
Signings
- March 5 – Signed linebacker Karlos DansbyKarlos DansbyKarlos Montez Dansby is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
(Arizona CardinalsArizona CardinalsThe Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
). - March 17 – Signed guard Richie IncognitoRichie IncognitoRichard Dominick Incognito, Jr. Richard Dominick Incognito, Jr. Richard Dominick Incognito, Jr. (born July 5, 1983 in Englewood, New Jersey is an American football guard for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the third round of the 2005 NFL...
(Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
). - May 20 – Signed linebacker Zach ThomasZach ThomasZachary Michael Thomas is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech....
to a one-day contract (Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
). - May 24 – Signed Offensive Lineman Cory ProcterCory ProcterCory Procter is an American football guard who is currently a member of the Miami Dolphins. He was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
(Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
). - July 25 – Signed defensive tackle Montavious StanleyMontavious StanleyMontavious Stanley is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville....
(Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
). - July 27 – Signed defensive end Marques DouglasMarques DouglasMarques Lamont Douglas is an American football defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1999...
(New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
). - July 30 – Signed defensive end Charles GrantCharles Grant (American football)Charles Gabriel Grant is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
(New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans SaintsThe New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
). - September 6 – Signed inside linebacker Bobby CarpenterBobby Carpenter (American football)Robert J. Carpenter III is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Ohio State.Carpenter has also played for the St...
(St. Louis RamsSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
). - September 8 – Signed running back/kick returner Clifton SmithClifton Smith (running back)Clifton Smith, Jr. is an American football running back and return specialist for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
(Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
). - September 21 – Signed tight end Jeron MastrudJeron MastrudJeron Scott Mastrud is an American football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
from the practice squad.
Departures
- March 5 – Released linebackers Joey PorterJoey PorterJoseph "Joey" Eugene Porter is an American football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Colorado State.A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Porter earned a...
, Akin AyodeleAkin AyodeleAkinola James "Akin" Ayodele is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
and safety Gibril WilsonGibril WilsonGibril Donald Wilson is an American football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee.Wilson earned a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in Super Bowl XLII...
. - May 20 – Announced the retirement of linebacker Zach ThomasZach ThomasZachary Michael Thomas is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech....
. - May 27 – Terminated the contract of linebacker Reggie TorborReggie TorborReggie Jermaine Torbor is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn.Torbor has also played for the Miami Dolphins...
. - July 15 – Announced the retirement of defensive tackle Jason FergusonJason FergusonJason O. Ferguson is a former American football defensive tackle who played thirteen seasons in the National Football League, for the New York Jets—who originally selected in the seventh round of the 1997 NFL Draft—, Dallas Cowboys, and Miami Dolphins...
. - September 4 – Released quarterback Pat White, guard Donald Thomas, tight end David MartinDavid Martin (American football)David Earl Martin is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
and wide receiver Patrick TurnerPatrick TurnerPatrick Turner is an American football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
among final roster cuts. - September 5 – Released defensive ends Marques DouglasMarques DouglasMarques Lamont Douglas is an American football defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1999...
and Charles GrantCharles Grant (American football)Charles Gabriel Grant is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
. - September 6 – Terminated the contract of outside linebacker Charlie AndersonCharlie AndersonCharlie Alexander Anderson is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
. - September 8 – Terminated the contract of center Jake GroveJake GroveCharles Jacob Grove is a retired American football center, most recently for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
.
Trades
- April 14th – Traded a 2nd round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft2010 NFL DraftThe 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
(43rd overall, traded to Baltimore – Sergio KindleSergio Kindle-Baltimore Ravens:Although deemed a first-round talent by most analysts, many teams were scared off by Kindle's often-injured knee and his off-the-field incidents. Kindle fell into the second round and was ultimately drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, 43rd overall. He said in a press conference...
) and the 2011 NFL Draft2011 NFL DraftThe 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
for Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
wide receiver Brandon MarshallBrandon Marshall-2006:Before the regular season even began, Marshall suffered a slight tear to his PCL in a pre-season game against the Detroit Lions. Although the injury sidelined him for a couple of weeks, he was able to return and play 15 games during the regular season. Marshall had a total of 20 catches, 309...
. - April 16th – Traded wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
for a fifth round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft2010 NFL DraftThe 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
(145th overall – Nolan CarrollNolan CarrollNolan Carroll, Jr. is an American football defensive back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was selected in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins from the University of Maryland.-Early life:...
). - April 22nd – Traded the 12th overall selection (Ryan MathewsRyan Mathews (American football)-San Diego Chargers:On August 1, 2010, Mathews signed a five-year, $26.65 million contract with the Chargers. The deal includes $15 million guaranteed....
), a 4th round selection (110th overall, Darrell StuckeyDarrell Stuckey-Personal:Stuckey married Lacie Stuckey, previously Reed, a former manager for the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team and the older sister of former Jayhawks guard, Tyrel Reed on Saturday, April 9, 2011.-External links:**...
), and a 6th round selection (173rd overall, traded to San Francisco – Anthony DixonAnthony Dixon-2010 season:With the announcement of the sudden retirement of second year player Glen Coffee on August 13, former head coach Mike Singletary stated that Dixon and veteran Michael Robinson would compete for the number 2 running back spot behind Pro Bowler Frank Gore...
) in the 2010 NFL Draft2010 NFL DraftThe 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
to the San Diego Chargers for the 28th overall selection (Jared OdrickJared OdrickJared T. Odrick is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins. He was selected 28th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He played college football at Penn State.-High school career:...
), a 2nd round selection (40th overall, Koa MisiKoa Misi-Miami Dolphins:On September 19, 2010—Misi's second career game in the NFL—he recovered a Brett Favre fumble in the endzone for a touchdown giving the Dolphins a 14-0 lead. Misi also had two tackles, helping the Dolphins to go 2-0 on the season.-External links:**...
), a 4th round selection (126th overall, traded to Dallas – Akwasi Owusu-AnsahAkwasi Owusu-AnsahAkwasi Owusu-Ansah is an American football safety and wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. Owusu-Ansah played collegiate football at Division II Indiana , and was considered one of the top cornerback and top small school prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft. Ultimately, he was selected in the fourth...
) and linebacker Tim DobbinsTim DobbinsTimothy L. Dobbins , an American football linebacker, signed with the Houston Texans of the National Football League in August 2011. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft as an inside linebacker for their 3/4 scheme...
. - May 24 – Traded guard Justin SmileyJustin SmileyJustin Smiley is a former American football guard. He was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...
to the Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for a 7th round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft2011 NFL DraftThe 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
. - August 25 – Traded wide receiver Greg CamarilloGreg CamarilloGreg Camarillo is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.He played college football at Stanford. He was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2005....
to the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
for cornerback Benny SappBenny SappBenjamin Lee Sapp, II is an American football cornerback who is currently a member of the Minnesota Vikings. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
. - September 3 – Acquired offensive tackle Pat McQuistanPat McQuistanPatrick Shawn McQuistan is an American football offensive lineman who is currently a member of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
from the Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
for a conditional 7th-round draft choice in the 2011 NFL Draft2011 NFL DraftThe 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
.
2010 NFL Draft
After finishing the 2009 season with a record of 7–9, the Dolphins were slotted for the 12th overall pick in the draft. However, on draft day, they ended up trading down with San Diego for the No.28 pick.| Draft | | Name | | Position | | College | | Height | | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rnd | Pick | |||||
| 1 | 28 | Jared Odrick Jared Odrick Jared T. Odrick is an American football defensive end for the Miami Dolphins. He was selected 28th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He played college football at Penn State.-High school career:... |
DE Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years... |
Penn State Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service... |
6'5" | 296 |
| 2 | 40 | Koa Misi Koa Misi -Miami Dolphins:On September 19, 2010—Misi's second career game in the NFL—he recovered a Brett Favre fumble in the endzone for a touchdown giving the Dolphins a 14-0 lead. Misi also had two tackles, helping the Dolphins to go 2-0 on the season.-External links:**... |
OLB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
Utah University of Utah The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest... |
6'3" | 251 |
| 3 | 73 | John Jerry John Jerry -Personal:John Jerry is the younger brother of Peria Jerry, a defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. His cousins Eddie Strong and Dwayne Rudd also played in the NFL.-External links:**... |
G | Ole Miss University of Mississippi The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the... |
6'5" | 328 |
| 4 | 119 | A. J. Edds A. J. Edds A. J. Edds is an American football linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft... |
ILB Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen... |
Iowa University of Iowa The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees... |
6'4" | 246 |
| 5 | 145 | Nolan Carroll Nolan Carroll Nolan Carroll, Jr. is an American football defensive back for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was selected in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins from the University of Maryland.-Early life:... |
CB Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position... |
Maryland University of Maryland, College Park The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C... |
5'11" | 204 |
| 163 | Reshad Jones Reshad Jones Reshad Jones is an American football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft... |
FS | Georgia University of Georgia The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States... |
6'1" | 214 | |
| 7 | 212 | Chris McCoy | OLB | Middle Tennessee Middle Tennessee State University Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States.... |
6'3" | 251 |
| 252 | Austin Spitler Austin Spitler Austin Spitler is an American football linebacker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He played college football at Ohio State.-Professional career:... |
ILB | Ohio State Ohio State University The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States... |
6'3" | 234 | |
Notes
- Miami traded their 2010 first-round pick (12th overall), a fourth-round selection (110th overall), and a sixth-round selection it acquired from Kansas CityKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
(173rd overall) to San DiegoSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for a first-round selection (28th overall), a second-round selection it acquired from SeattleSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
(40th overall), a fourth-round selection (126th overall), and linebacker Tim DobbinsTim DobbinsTimothy L. Dobbins , an American football linebacker, signed with the Houston Texans of the National Football League in August 2011. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2006 NFL Draft as an inside linebacker for their 3/4 scheme...
. - Miami traded their second-round pick (43rd overall) and its 2011 second-round selection to DenverDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for wide receiver Brandon Marshall. - Miami traded their fifth-round pick (142d overall) to Kansas City for quarterback Tyler ThigpenTyler ThigpenTyler "Dirty Pigpen" Thigpen is an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . Thigpen was drafted out of Coastal Carolina University in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.Tyler Thigpen was the first quarterback to play for...
. - San FranciscoSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
traded their fifth-round pick (145th overall) to Miami for wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr. - Kansas City traded their sixth-round pick (173rd overall) to Miami for offensive linemen Andy AllemanAndy AllemanAndrew "Andy" Alleman is an American football guard. Alleman last played for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League in 2010. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
and Ikechuku Ndukwe. - WashingtonWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
traded their sixth-round pick (174rd overall) and a 2009 second-round selection (44th overall) to Miami for defensive end Jason TaylorJason Taylor (American football)Jason Paul Taylor is an American football linebacker who currently plays for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft...
. - Kansas City traded their seventh-round pick (212nd) to Miami for a 2009 seventh-round selection (237th overall).
- Seventh-round pick (252nd overall) is a compensatory pick.
- Washington traded their fifth-round pick (163rd overall) to Miami for a sixth-round selection (174th overall) and a seventh-round selection (219th overall).
Staff
| Miami Dolphins 2010 staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
|
|||||
Team Captains
Yeremiah Bell, Patrick Cobbs, Karlos Dansby, and Jake Long.
Final roster
Preseason
The Dolphins preseason schedule was announced on March 31, 2010.| Week | | Date | | Kickoff | | Opponent | | Results | | Game site | | TV | | NFL.com recap |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | August 14 | 7:00 p.m. EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season The 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the club's 35th season as a franchise in the NFL. The Buccaneers entered the season attempting to improve on their 3–13 record and last place finish in the NFC South in 2009, a feat they accomplished after only six games... |
W 10–7 | 1–0 | Sun Life Stadium | WFOR WFOR-TV WFOR-TV, virtual channel 4.1 , is the CBS owned-and-operated station in Miami, Florida. WFOR shares its TV studio facilities with sister station WBFS-TV in Doral, near Miami International Airport, and its transmitter is located in Miramar.WFOR-TV also previously had two translator stations in the... |
Recap |
| 2 | August 21 | 7:30 p.m. EDT | at Jacksonville Jaguars 2010 Jacksonville Jaguars season The 2010 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the 16th season for the team in the National Football League. The Jaguars, who are in their second year of "rebuilding" under general manager Gene Smith, improved upon their 7–9 record from 2009, but narrowly missed the playoffs with an 8–8 record... |
W 27–26 | 2–0 | EverBank Field | WFOR | Recap |
| 3 | August 27 | 7:00 p.m. EDT | Atlanta Falcons 2010 Atlanta Falcons season The 2010 Atlanta Falcons season was the 45th season for the team in the National Football League. In 2009, the team posted consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history, with a 9–7 record, but did not make the playoffs... |
L 6–16 | 2–1 | Sun Life Stadium | WFOR | Recap |
| 4 | September 2 | 8:00 p.m. EDT | at Dallas Cowboys 2010 Dallas Cowboys season The 2010 Dallas Cowboys season is the 51st season for the team in the National Football League, and the second season playing their home games at Cowboys Stadium... |
L 25–27 | 2–2 | Cowboys Stadium | WFOR | Recap |
Regular season
The 2010 regular season schedule was announced on April 20th, 2010.| Week | | Date | | Kickoff | | Opponent | | Results | | Game site | | TV | | NFL.com recap |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | September 12 | 1:00 p.m. EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
at Buffalo Bills 2010 Buffalo Bills season The 2010 Buffalo Bills season was the team's 41st season in the National Football League, and their 51st overall. It was Buffalo's first season with Buddy Nix in the role of general manager and head coach Chan Gailey.... |
W 15–10 | 1–0 | Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 2 | September 19 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | at Minnesota Vikings 2010 Minnesota Vikings season The 2010 Minnesota Vikings season was the franchise's 50th season in the National Football League, and the fifth under head coach Brad Childress until November 22, when he was fired and Leslie Frazier was named interim head coach... |
W 14–10 | 2–0 | Mall of America Field Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University... |
CBS | Recap |
| 3 | September 26 | 8:20 p.m. EDT | New York Jets 2010 New York Jets season The 2010 New York Jets season was the franchise's 41st season in the National Football League, the 51st season overall and the team's first season at New Meadowlands Stadium. The team improved on their 9–7 record from 2009 and reached the playoffs again. The Jets played their first pre-season game... |
L 23–31 | 2–1 | Sun Life Stadium | NBC NBC Sunday Night Football NBC Sunday Night Football is a weekly television broadcast of Sunday evening National Football League games on NBC that began airing on Sunday, August 6, 2006 with the pre-season opening Hall of Fame Game. Al Michaels serves as the play-by-play announcer, with Cris Collinsworth as the color... |
Recap |
| 4 | October 4 | 8:30 p.m. EDT | New England Patriots 2010 New England Patriots season The 2010 New England Patriots season was the 41st season for the team in the National Football League and 51st season overall. The Patriots improved on their 10–6 record from 2009 by finishing with a league-best 14–2 record and clinching the top seed in the AFC, before losing to the New York Jets... |
L 14–41 | 2–2 | Sun Life Stadium | ESPN Monday Night Football Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series... |
Recap |
| 5 | Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing... |
|||||||
| 6 | October 17 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | at Green Bay Packers 2010 Green Bay Packers season The 2010 Green Bay Packers season was the 90th season in the National Football League for the Packers and the 92nd season for the team overall. With a record of 10–6, the Packers entered the playoffs as the NFC's sixth seed... |
W 23–20 (OT) | 3–2 | Lambeau Field Lambeau Field Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field... |
CBS | Recap |
| 7 | October 24 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 78th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League and the eleventh season under the leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the fourth under head coach Mike Tomlin... |
L 22–23 | 3–3 | Sun Life Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 8 | October 31 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | at Cincinnati Bengals 2010 Cincinnati Bengals season The 2010 Cincinnati Bengals season was the 41st season for the team in the National Football League , and their 43rd overall. The Bengals looked to improve on their 10–6 record in 2009, during which they swept the AFC North for the first time in team history and made the playoffs as division... |
W 22–14 | 4–3 | Paul Brown Stadium Paul Brown Stadium Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and... |
CBS | Recap |
| 9 | November 7 | 1:00 p.m. EST | at Baltimore Ravens 2010 Baltimore Ravens season The 2010 Baltimore Ravens season was the 15th for the team in the National Football League and city of Baltimore, Maryland, and the 13th to host home games at M&T Bank Stadium. They played in the NFL's American Football Conference North Division... |
L 10–26 | 4–4 | M&T Bank Stadium M&T Bank Stadium M&T Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. The stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of the Baltimore Orioles. Served by the Hamburg Street station of... |
CBS | Recap |
| 10 | November 14 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Tennessee Titans 2010 Tennessee Titans season The 2010 Tennessee Titans season was the team's 41st season in the National Football League, their 51st overall and their 14th season in Tennessee... |
W 29–17 | 5–4 | Sun Life Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 11 | November 18 | 8:20 p.m. EST | Chicago Bears 2010 Chicago Bears season The 2010 Chicago Bears season was the franchise's 91st season overall in the National Football League. Coming off a disappointing 7–9 record in the 2009 season and failing to qualify for the NFL playoffs for a third consecutive season, the Bears sought to develop their roster and improve on... |
L 0–16 | 5–5 | Sun Life Stadium | NFLN NFL Network NFL Network is an American television specialty channel owned and operated by the National Football League . It was launched November 4, 2003, only eight months after the league's 32 team owners voted unanimously to approve its formation... |
Recap |
| 12 | November 28 | 4:05 p.m. EST | at Oakland Raiders 2010 Oakland Raiders season The 2010 Oakland Raiders season was the team's 41st season in the National Football League and their 51st overall. It also marked the last full season under the ownership of Al Davis, who died in October 2011. The Raiders had improved from a five-win season, their first since 2002, and achieved... |
W 33–17 | 6–5 | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum | CBS | Recap |
| 13 | December 5 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Cleveland Browns 2010 Cleveland Browns season The 2010 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 64th season as a professional sports franchise and its 60th season as a member of the National Football League . The team failed to break the longest playoff appearance drought in franchise history, a current streak of eight seasons without reaching... |
L 10–13 | 6–6 | Sun Life Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 14 | December 12 | 4:15 p.m. EST | at New York Jets | W 10–6 | 7–6 | New Meadowlands Stadium New Meadowlands Stadium MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home... |
CBS | Recap |
| 15 | December 19 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Buffalo Bills | L 14–17 | 7–7 | Sun Life Stadium | CBS | Recap |
| 16 | December 26 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Detroit Lions 2010 Detroit Lions season The 2010 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 81st season in the NFL. It was Jim Schwartz's second season as head coach. The Lions spent most of the season at the bottom of their division, but with more division wins than the Vikings , the Lions ended up at 3rd place on the final day of the... |
L 27–34 | 7–8 | Sun Life Stadium | Fox NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
Recap |
| 17 | January 2 | 1:00 p.m. EST | at New England Patriots | L 7–38 | 7–9 | Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium Gillette Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Foxborough, Massachusetts, 21 miles southwest of downtown Boston and from downtown Providence, Rhode Island. It serves as the home stadium and administrative offices for the New England Patriots football team and the New England Revolution... |
CBS | Recap |
Week 1: at Buffalo Bills
The Miami Dolphins began their season at Ralph Wilson StadiumRalph Wilson Stadium
Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL...
for an AFC East duel with the Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In the first quarter, Miami struck first when kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
nailed a 32-yard field goal, which was increased in the second quarter when running back Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
got a 1-yard TD run. The Bills replied when kicker Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell is an American football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2000...
made a 51-yard field goal.
In the fourth quarter, Miami scored first with Carpenter hitting a 43-yard field goal. Then, the Bills replied with quarterback Trent Edwards
Trent Edwards
Trent Edwards is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
making a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roscoe Parrish
Roscoe Parrish
Roscoe Parrish is an American football wide receiver and punt returner who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
. The final score was made when long snapper Garrison Sanborn
Garrison Sanborn
Garrison Sanborn is an American football long snapper for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Florida State.-Personal:...
fumbled out of bounds for a safety.
With the win, the Dolphins began the season at 1–0.
Week 2: at Minnesota Vikings
Hoping to increase their winning streak, the Dolphins flew to Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
for an interconference duel with the Vikings. In the first quarter, the Dolphins got the early lead as QB Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
made a 5-yard TD pass to WR Brian Hartline
Brian Hartline
Brian Hartline is an American Football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He is the brother of Mike Hartline, a 4th string quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts....
. In the third quarter, the Dolphins increased their lead when LB Koa Misi
Koa Misi
-Miami Dolphins:On September 19, 2010—Misi's second career game in the NFL—he recovered a Brett Favre fumble in the endzone for a touchdown giving the Dolphins a 14-0 lead. Misi also had two tackles, helping the Dolphins to go 2-0 on the season.-External links:**...
recovered a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown, but Minnesota scored with RB Adrian Peterson completing a 1-yard TD run. The Vikings tried to fight back in the 4th quarter with kicker Ryan Longwell
Ryan Longwell
Ryan Walker Longwell is an American football placekicker for the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League. After playing college football for the California Golden Bears, he started his professional football career with the San Francisco 49ers, but never played a game for the franchise...
nailing a 28-yard field goal, but Miami's defense prevented anything else from happening, giving Miami a win.
With the win, Miami improved to 2–0.
Week 3: vs. New York Jets
Coming off their win over the Vikings, the Dolphins went home, donned their alternate uniforms, and played their Week 3 home-opener against their AFC East foe, the New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, on Sunday night. Miami trailed early in the first quarter as Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez
Mark Sanchez
Mark Travis John Sanchez is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League . He was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the fifth overall selection by the Jets and the second quarterback taken overall...
completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dustin Keller
Dustin Keller
-New York Jets:Keller was drafted by the New York Jets 30th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Keller was slowly phased into the offense and eventually finished with productive numbers in part of the presence of the veteran Brett Favre. Keller finished a strong rookie season with 48 receptions, 535...
. The Dolphins' deficit would increase in the second quarter as Sanchez hooked up with Keller again on a 3-yard touchdown pass. Miami would respond with quarterback Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
completing a 3-yard touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Fasano
Anthony Fasano
Anthony Joseph Fasano is an American football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame...
, followed by kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
making a 44-yard field goal.
The Dolphins would take the lead in the third quarter as Henne connected with wide receiver Brandon Marshall
Brandon Marshall
-2006:Before the regular season even began, Marshall suffered a slight tear to his PCL in a pre-season game against the Detroit Lions. Although the injury sidelined him for a couple of weeks, he was able to return and play 15 games during the regular season. Marshall had a total of 20 catches, 309...
on an 11-yard touchdown pass, but New York would immediately respond as Sanchez found wide receiver Braylon Edwards
Braylon Edwards
-Cleveland Browns:-2005:Edwards began his rookie season as Cleveland's third wide receiver – he would have started higher, but a hold-out caused him to miss the beginning of training camp. Early in the season Edwards revealed that he had a staph infection, and missed a few weeks as a result of it....
on a 67-yard touchdown pass. Miami would answer with Carpenter's 20-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Jets would add onto their lead as kicker Nick Folk
Nick Folk
Nicholas "Nick" Alexander Folk is an American football kicker who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
got a 30-yard field goal. The Dolphins would chip away as their deficit as Carpenter booted a 50-yard field goal, but New York would pull away as running back LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Christian.Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L...
got a 1-yard touchdown run. Miami tried to rally, but the Jets' defense held on for the win.
With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 2–1.
Week 4: vs. New England Patriots
Hoping to rebound from their divisional loss to the Jets, the Dolphins stayed at home for a Week 4 AFC East duel with the New England PatriotsNew England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
on Monday night. Miami delivered the opening punch in the first quarter as quarterback Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
hooked up with wide receiver Davone Bess
Davone Bess
Davone Atrayo Bess is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
on a 19-yard touchdown pass. In the second quarter, the Patriots answered with kicker Stephen Gostkowski
Stephen Gostkowski
Stephen Carroll Gostkowski is a placekicker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
making a 23-yard and a 30-yard field goal.
New England took the lead in the third quarter as wide receiver Brandon Tate
Brandon Tate
-2009 season:Tate was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 16, he was signed to a four-year contract with a $755,000 signing bonus. He began the 2009 season on the non-football injury list, still recovering from his knee injury from the prior season. He was...
returned the second half's opening kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown, followed by running back BenJarvis Green-Ellis' 12-yard touchdown run. The Dolphins responded with Henne completing a 28-yard touchdown pass to running back Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams
Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
, but the Patriots came right back with quarterback Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
's 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Danny Woodhead
Danny Woodhead
Danny Woodhead is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Chadron State....
. New England would continue its dominance on special teams in the fourth quarter as cornerback Kyle Arrington
Kyle Arrington
Kyle Chandler Arrington is an American football cornerback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Hofstra. Arrington also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.-Early...
returned a blocked field goal 35 yards for a touchdown. Afterwards, the Patriots sealed the win as safety Patrick Chung
Patrick Chung
-New England Patriots:Chung was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He signed with the Patriots on July 27, 2009. In Week 6 against the Tennessee Titans on October 18, Chung was credited with his first career interception...
returned an interception 51 yards for a touchdown.
With the loss, Miami went into its bye week at 2–2.
Week 6: at Green Bay Packers
Coming off their bye week the Dolphins flew to Lambeau fieldLambeau Field
Lambeau Field is an outdoor football stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957 as City Stadium, it replaced the original City Stadium as the Packers' home field...
for an Interconference duel against the Packers. In the first quarter the Dolphins trailed early with kicker Mason Crosby
Mason Crosby
Mason Walker Crosby , is a professional American football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League. During his playing days at the University of Colorado, Crosby was widely considered the best kicker in college football, as evidenced by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s...
nailing a 46-yard field goal. But they replied with QB Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
making a 2-yard TD pass to WR Davone Bess
Davone Bess
Davone Atrayo Bess is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
. The lead didn't last very long after QB Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
made an 86-yard TD pass to WR Greg Jennings
Greg Jennings
Gregory Jennings, Jr. is a professional American football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League...
. The Dolphins tied the game in the second quarter with kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
hitting a 53-yard field goal. He also made a 41-yard field goal to put the Dolphins up 13–10. In the fourth quarter the Packers tied the game with Crosby making a 46-yard field goal, but the Dolphins got the lead back when Henne found TE Anthony Fasano
Anthony Fasano
Anthony Joseph Fasano is an American football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame...
on a 22-yard TD pass. Green Bay replied with Rodgers scrambling 1 yard to the endzone for a touchdown to put the game in overtime. After overtime, the decision was made when Carpenter successfully put away a 44-yard field goal to give the Dolphins the win.
With the win, the Dolphins improved to 3–2.
Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Coming off their road win over the Packers, the Dolphins went home for a Week 7 intraconference duel with the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. The Dolphins delivered the opening splash in the first quarter with a 39-yard and a 23-yard field goal from kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
. In the second quarter, the Steelers took the lead with kicker Jeff Reed getting a 22-yard field goal, followed by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger , nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round in the 2004 NFL Draft...
completing a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Hines Ward
Hines Ward
Hines E. Ward, Jr. is an American football player who currently plays the wide receiver position for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers, where he is the longest-tenured current player on the team. He was voted MVP of Super Bowl XL. He played college football at the University of Georgia...
. Miami would respond with Carpenter's 22-yard field goal, but Pittsburgh struck back with Roethlisberger's 53-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Wallace
Mike Wallace (American football)
-Pittsburgh Steelers:Wallace was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft with the 84th overall selection. Wallace was the 11th wide receiver chosen in the draft. On June 18, 2009, Wallace signed a three year contract with the Steelers worth $1.740 million which...
. The Dolphins would close out the half as quarterback Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
found wide receiver Davone Bess
Davone Bess
Davone Atrayo Bess is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
on a 25-yard touchdown pass.
The Steelers added onto their lead in the third quarter as Reed got a 39-yard field goal. Miami would answer with Carpenter's 37-yard field goal. The Dolphins regained the lead in the fourth quarter as Carpenter booted a 40-yard field goal, but Pittsburgh answered with Reed making an 18-yard field goal. The Dolphins tried to rally, but the Steelers' defense held on for the win.
With the loss, Miami fell to 3–3.
Week 8: at Cincinnati Bengals
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Steelers the Dolphins flew to Paul Brown StadiumPaul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and...
for an AFC duel with the Bengals. In the first quarter the Dolphins trailed early as QB Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer
Carson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...
got a 7-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era...
. They soon replied with kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
hitting a 38 and a 42 yard field goal. The Dolphins fell further behind with Palmer finding Owens again on a 37-yard TD pass. The Dolphins caught up and eventually took the lead with Carpenter hitting a 24, 54, and a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter to put the Dolphins up 15–14. They increased their lead with RB Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams
Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
making a 1-yard TD run.
With the win, the Dolphins improved to 4–3.
Week 9: at Baltimore Ravens
The Dolphins' eighth game was an AFC duel with the Ravens. The Dolphins trailed early after QB Joe FlaccoJoe Flacco
Flacco was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 18th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, becoming the highest drafted player ever from the University of Delaware...
completed a 32-yard TD pass to RB Willis McGahee
Willis McGahee
Willis Andrew McGahee III is an American football running back for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
. They replied with RB Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
getting a 12-yard TD run. The Ravens got the lead back after kicker Billy Cundiff
Billy Cundiff
William A. "Billy" Cundiff is an American football placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
made a 26 and a 39-yard field goal. The Dolphins narrowed the lead with kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
nailing a 19-yard field goal. The Dolphins fell further behind after Flacco found WR Derrick Mason
Derrick Mason
Derrick James Mason is an American football wide receiver for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tennessee Oilers in the fourth round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State.Mason has also played for the Baltimore Ravens where he...
on a 12-yard TD pass. This was followed in the 4th quarter by Cundiff hitting a 20 and a 24-yard field goal.
With the loss, Miami fell to 4–4.
Week 10: vs. Tennessee Titans
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Ravens the Dolphins played on home ground for an AFC duel with the Titans. In the first quarter the Dolphins took the lead as RB Ronnie BrownRonnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
got a 2-yard TD run. The Titans replied with RB Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson (running back)
Christopher Duan Johnson is an American football running back for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League...
getting a 17-yard TD run. They fell behind after kicker Rob Bironas
Rob Bironas
James Robert Douglas "Rob" Bironas is an American football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Auburn University and Georgia Southern.Bironas was an All-Pro...
nailed a 40-yard field goal. They eventually took the lead after kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
made a 23 and a 26-yard field goal, which was soon followed by QB Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
completing a 13-yard TD pass to RB Patrick Cobbs
Patrick Cobbs
Patrick Cobbs is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He most recently was a member of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
. The Titans replied with QB Vince Young
Vince Young
Vincent Paul Young, Jr. , nicknamed "VY", is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He spent the first five seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans. Young was the third overall draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college...
completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Nate Washington
Nate Washington
Nate Washington is an American football wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
, but the Dolphins continued to score after Carpenter got a 42-yard field goal, followed by QB Tyler Thigpen
Tyler Thigpen
Tyler "Dirty Pigpen" Thigpen is an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . Thigpen was drafted out of Coastal Carolina University in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.Tyler Thigpen was the first quarterback to play for...
making a 9-yard TD pass to TE Anthony Fasano
Anthony Fasano
Anthony Joseph Fasano is an American football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame...
(With a failed 2-point conversion). Then FS Reshad Jones
Reshad Jones
Reshad Jones is an American football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
intercepted a pass in the end zone for a touchback.
With the win, the Dolphins improved to 5–4.
Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears
Coming off their win over the Titans, the Dolphins stayed at home for a Week 11 interconference duel with the Chicago BearsChicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
on Thursday night. Miami trailed early in the first quarter as Bears kicker Robbie Gould
Robbie Gould
Robert Paul "Robbie" Gould III is an American football placekicker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Penn State...
got a 46-yard field goal. Chicago added onto their lead in the second quarter with Gould making a 24-yard field goal.
The Bears continued to increase their lead with Gould's 50-yard field goal, followed by a touchdown scored by running back Matt Forté
Matt Forté
Matthew Garrett Forté is an American football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
. This was the final score of the game, with Chicago's defense preventing any score by the Dolphins.
With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 5–5.
Week 12: at Oakland Raiders
The Dolphins' eleventh game was an AFC duel with the Raiders. In the first quarter the Dolphins trailed immediately as Jacoby FordJacoby Ford
Jacoby Ford is an American football wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He is also an accomplished track and field athlete. He played college football as a wide receiver and return specialist for the Clemson Tigers at Clemson University...
returned a kick-off 101 yards to their own endzone for a touchdown. They overcame this deficit with kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
nailing a 49-yard field goal, followed by QB Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
completing a 29-yard TD pass to RB Patrick Cobbs
Patrick Cobbs
Patrick Cobbs is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He most recently was a member of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
. The Raiders replied as QB Bruce Gradkowski
Bruce Gradkowski
Bruce Raymond Gradkowski is an American Football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Toledo.Gradkowski has previously been a member of the Tampa...
made a 44-yard TD pass to Ford. The Dolphins got the lead back as Carpenter got a 23-yard field goal, followed by Henne getting a 57-yard TD pass to WR Marlon Moore
Marlon Moore
Marlon Moore is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Fresno State.-External links:**...
, and with Carpenter nailing a 44-yard field goal. The lead was narrowed when kicker Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski
Sebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...
hit a 30-yard field goal, but the Dolphins pulled away with Carpenter getting a 25-yard field goal, and with RB Ricky Williams
Ricky Williams
Errick Lynne "Ricky" Williams, Jr. is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft...
getting a 45-yard TD run.
With the win, Miami improved to 6–5.
Week 13: vs. Cleveland Browns
Coming off their win over the Raiders the Dolphins played on home ground for an AFC duel with the Browns. The second quarter saw the Dolphins trailing early as kicker Phil DawsonPhil Dawson
Philip Drury Dawson is an American football placekicker for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He holds the franchise record for most field goals made, passing Hall of Famer Lou Groza in 2010...
made a 32-yard field goal. They replied with kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
hitting a 60-yard field goal. They trailed again with QB Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme
Jake Christopher Delhomme is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Delhomme played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette before being signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997...
completing a 3-yard TD pass to TE Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson
Benjamin Watson is an American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 32nd overall in the 2004 NFL draft. He played college football at Georgia.-Early years:Watson attended Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, South...
. But they replied in the fourth quarter with QB Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
making an 11-yard TD pass to TE Anthony Fasano
Anthony Fasano
Anthony Joseph Fasano is an American football tight end for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame...
. The Browns scored again after Dawson nailed a 23-yard field goal.
With the loss, Miami fell to 6–6.
Week 14: at New York Jets
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Browns the Dolphins flew to New Meadowlands StadiumNew Meadowlands Stadium
MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home...
for an AFC East rivalry match against the Jets. The Dolphins took the lead with kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
nailing a 47-yard field goal, followed by QB Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
completing a 6-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Marshall
Brandon Marshall
-2006:Before the regular season even began, Marshall suffered a slight tear to his PCL in a pre-season game against the Detroit Lions. Although the injury sidelined him for a couple of weeks, he was able to return and play 15 games during the regular season. Marshall had a total of 20 catches, 309...
. The Jets responded with kicker Nick Folk
Nick Folk
Nicholas "Nick" Alexander Folk is an American football kicker who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
hitting a 35 and a 42-yard field goal.
With the win, Miami improved to 7–6.
Week 15: vs. Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins' fourteenth game was a must-win matchup against the Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. The Dolphins lost. The final score was seventeen (17) to fourteen (14) and the Dolphins never lead during the game.
The second quarter saw Miami trailing early with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
Ryan Fitzpatrick
Ryan Joseph Fitzpatrick is an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Harvard....
completing an 18-yard TD pass to WR David Nelson
David Nelson (American football)
David Alan Nelson is an American football wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . He was signed by the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Florida.-Early years:...
. This was followed by kicker Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell
Rian Lindell is an American football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2000...
nailing a 29-yard field goal. The Dolphins responded with RB Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
getting a 6-yard TD run, but trailed further in the third quarter with Fitzpatrick throwing a 15-yard TD pass to WR Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson (American football)
-Buffalo Bills:Johnson was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.His first reception came in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals, and went for 8 yards. In Week 15, against the New York Jets, Johnson caught his first touchdown reception, a two-yard pass from J. P....
. The Dolphins tried to cut the lead with QB Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
getting a 9-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Marshall
Brandon Marshall
-2006:Before the regular season even began, Marshall suffered a slight tear to his PCL in a pre-season game against the Detroit Lions. Although the injury sidelined him for a couple of weeks, he was able to return and play 15 games during the regular season. Marshall had a total of 20 catches, 309...
, but the Bills defense denied any more offensive chances.
With the loss, Miami fell to 7–7, and was officially eliminated from playoff contention. Reaction around the Miami area was palpable, with many fans and the media calling for head coach Tony Sparano
Tony Sparano
Anthony "Tony" Sparano III is an American Football head coach of the Miami Dolphins. At age 17, Sparano had an incident which burnt his eyes, which is why he always wears his signature sunglasses even at night...
to resign at the end of the season.
Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions
The Dolphins fifteenth game was an inter-conference duel against the Lions. The Dolphins trailed early as kicker Dave RaynerDave Rayner
David Michael "Dave" Rayner is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
nailed a 39-yard field goal. They re-tied the game with kicker Dan Carpenter
Dan Carpenter
Daniel Roy Carpenter is an American football placekicker for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
hit a 40-yard field goal. The Lions scored again with QB Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
completing a 20-yard TD pass to TE Brandon Pettigrew
Brandon Pettigrew
Brandon Pettigrew is an American football tight end for the Detroit Lions. He was drafted by the Lions with the 20th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.-High school:Brandon Pettigrew played high school football at Robert E...
, but the Dolphins got the lead back with FB Lousaka Polite
Lousaka Polite
Lousaka Romon Polite is an American football fullback who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Pittsburgh.Polite has also played for the Chicago Bears...
getting a 4-yard TD run, followed by QB Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
getting a 13-yard TD pass to WR Davone Bess
Davone Bess
Davone Atrayo Bess is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
. The Lions tied the game with RB Maurice Morris
Maurice Morris
Maurice Autora Morris is an American football running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Oregon.-Early life:Morris attended Chester High School in Chester, South...
getting a 5-yard TD run, but the Dolphins scored to take the lead again with RB Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown
Ronnie G. Brown, Jr. is an American football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . After graduating from Cartersville High School in Georgia, Brown attended Auburn University to play college football for the Auburn Tigers...
getting a 1-yard TD run, followed by Carpenter hitting a 28-yard field goal. They failed to maintain this lead after QB Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill
Shaun Hill is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
completed a 53-yard TD pass to RB Jahvid Best
Jahvid Best
Jahvid Andre Best is a running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was selected by the Lions with the 30th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. In college, he played for the California Golden Bears, setting several records, including most all-purpose yards in a single season and...
, followed by Rayner making a 47-yard field goal, then with MLB DeAndre Levy
DeAndre Levy
DeAndre Levy is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin....
returning an interception 30 yards for a touchdown.
With the loss, Miami fell to 7–8.
Week 17: at New England Patriots
The Dolphins' final game was an AFC East rematch against the Patriots. They trailed early with QB Tom BradyTom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
throwing a 13-yard TD pass to WR Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski is an American football tight end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
, followed by BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BenJarvus Green-Ellis
BenJarvus Jeremy Green-Ellis is an American football running back for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2008. After playing college football his freshman and sophomore seasons at Indiana University, Green-Ellis...
getting a 1-yard TD run, then with kicker Shayne Graham
Shayne Graham
Michael Shayne Graham is an American football placekicker. He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2000, and most recently played with the New England Patriots...
nailing a 28-yard field goal. The Dolphins continued to struggle after a three-and-out was converted into a 94-yard punt return for a touchdown by Julian Edelman
Julian Edelman
Julian Francis Edelman is a wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for Kent State as a quarterback.-Early years:Edelman was born in Redwood City, California...
, followed by Brady making a 10-yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler
Alge Crumpler
-Atlanta Falcons:Crumpler was drafted by the Falcons in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Crumpler made the first start of his NFL career against the Carolina Panthers on September 23, 2001. He caught his first two passes for a total of 13 yards. His first touchdown was scored against the...
, then with QB Brian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer
Brian Hoyer is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was signed by the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
completing a 42-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Tate
Brandon Tate
-2009 season:Tate was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. On July 16, he was signed to a four-year contract with a $755,000 signing bonus. He began the 2009 season on the non-football injury list, still recovering from his knee injury from the prior season. He was...
. The Dolphins made their only score of the game with QB Tyler Thigpen
Tyler Thigpen
Tyler "Dirty Pigpen" Thigpen is an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . Thigpen was drafted out of Coastal Carolina University in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.Tyler Thigpen was the first quarterback to play for...
throwing a 21-yard TD pass to WR Davone Bess
Davone Bess
Davone Atrayo Bess is an American football wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
.
With the loss, Miami finished their season with a 7–9 record.