2011 Miami Dolphins season | |
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General manager | Jeff Ireland |
Head coach | Tony Sparano (fired on December 12; 4–9 record) Todd Bowles (interim; 2–1 record) |
Home field | Sun Life Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 6–10 |
Division place | 3rd AFC East |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | OT Jake Long WR Brandon Marshall NT Paul Soliai |
The 2011 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 42nd season in the National Football League (NFL), the 46th overall and the fourth and final under head coach Tony Sparano. [1] The Dolphins made their first round selection with the 15th pick of the 2011 NFL draft on Florida offensive lineman Mike Pouncey. The team got off to an 0–7 start but won six of their final nine games, however, this result failed to improve on their record from 2010 and Sparano was fired on December 12.
DraftKing.com, NFLMocks.com, and The Palm Beach Post predicted that the Dolphins would use their first round pick to choose Gabe Carimi, a left tackle for the Wisconsin Badgers who won the 2010 Outland Trophy as the nation's top collegiate interior lineman, and was a Consensus All-American. [2] [3] Charles Davis of NFL.com predicted they would draft Mark Ingram II from the University of Alabama. [4]
2011 Miami Dolphins draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 15 | Mike Pouncey * | C | Florida | |
2 | 62 | Daniel Thomas | RB | Kansas State | Pick from DEN [dr 1] [dr 2] |
4 | 111 | Edmond Gates | WR | Abilene Christian | |
6 | 174 | Charles Clay | FB/TE | Tulsa | Pick from GB [dr 3] |
7 | 231 | Frank Kearse | DT | Alabama A&M | Pick from JAC [dr 4] |
7 | 235 | Jimmy Wilson | CB | Montana | Compensatory [dr 5] |
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career |
Brian Daboll joins the team as offensive coordinator. Karl Dorrell moves to quarter backs coach from wide receivers coach. Jeff Nixon added as the running backs coach. Steve Bush moves to wide receivers coach from offensive quality control. Ike Hilliard added as an assistant wide receivers coach. Dan Campbell moves to tight ends coach from intern. Bryan Cox is added as a defensive pass rush coach.
The team voted the following as their 2011 team captains.
Offense
Defense
Head coach Tony Sparano decided that the special teams captain would be selected on week to week basis. [34]
Miami Dolphins 2011 staff | ||||||
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
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1 | August 12 | at Atlanta Falcons | W 28–23 | 1–0 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
2 | August 19 | Carolina Panthers | W 20–10 | 2–0 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap |
3 | August 27 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 13–17 | 2–1 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |
4 | September 1 | Dallas Cowboys | W 17–3 | 3–1 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap |
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap | ||
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1 | September 12 | New England Patriots | L 24–38 | 0–1 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap | ||
2 | September 18 | Houston Texans | L 13–23 | 0–2 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap | ||
3 | September 25 | at Cleveland Browns | L 16–17 | 0–3 | Cleveland Browns Stadium | Recap | ||
4 | October 2 | at San Diego Chargers | L 16–26 | 0–4 | Qualcomm Stadium | Recap | ||
5 | Bye | |||||||
6 | October 17 | at New York Jets | L 6–24 | 0–5 | MetLife Stadium | Recap | ||
7 | October 23 | Denver Broncos | L 15–18 (OT) | 0–6 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap | ||
8 | October 30 | at New York Giants | L 17–20 | 0–7 | MetLife Stadium | Recap | ||
9 | November 6 | at Kansas City Chiefs | W 31–3 | 1–7 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap | ||
10 | November 13 | Washington Redskins | W 20–9 | 2–7 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap | ||
11 | November 20 | Buffalo Bills | W 35–8 | 3–7 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap | ||
12 | November 24 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 19–20 | 3–8 | Cowboys Stadium | Recap | ||
13 | December 4 | Oakland Raiders | W 34–14 | 4–8 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap | ||
14 | December 11 | Philadelphia Eagles | L 10–26 | 4–9 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap | ||
15 | December 18 | at Buffalo Bills | W 30–23 | 5–9 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap | ||
16 | December 24 | at New England Patriots | L 24–27 | 5–10 | Gillette Stadium | Recap | ||
17 | January 1 | New York Jets | W 19–17 | 6–10 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patriots | 7 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 38 |
Dolphins | 7 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 24 |
at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information | ||
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The Dolphins began their 2011 campaign at home, for a Week 1 AFC East duel with the New England Patriots in the first game of Monday Night Football's doubleheader. Miami delivered the game's opening splash with a 9-yard touchdown run from quarterback Chad Henne. The Patriots answered with running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis getting a 4-yard touchdown run. New England took the lead in the second quarter as quarterback Tom Brady completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski.
The Dolphins struck back in the third quarter as Henne found wide receiver Brian Hartline on a 10-yard touchdown pass, but New England came right back with Brady completing a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Wes Welker. Miami replied with a 20-yard field goal from kicker Dan Carpenter, but the Patriots came right back with Brady completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Aaron Hernandez. New England added onto their in the fourth quarter as kicker Stephen Gostkowski got a 20-yard field goal, followed by Brady completing a 99-yard touchdown pass to Welker. The Dolphins would close out the game with Henne finding running back Reggie Bush on a 2-yard touchdown pass.
With the loss, Miami began their season at 0–1.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texans | 6 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 23 |
Dolphins | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Dolphins dropped to 0–2.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphins | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
Browns | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–3.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphins | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
Chargers | 7 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 26 |
at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Dolphins went into their bye week 0–4.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphins | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Jets | 7 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–5.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Broncos | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 18 |
Dolphins | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 15 |
at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–6.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
Giants | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 0–7.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 31 |
Chiefs | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Game information | ||
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With the win, the Dolphins improved to 1–7 and made the Colts the only winless team.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redskins | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
Dolphins | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information | ||
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With the win, the Dolphins improved to 2–7.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bills | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
Dolphins | 14 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 35 |
at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information | ||
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Coming off their win over the Redskins, the Dolphins stayed at home for a Week 11 AFC East showdown with the Buffalo Bills. Miami trailed early in the first quarter as Bills kicker Dave Rayner made a 30-yard field goal, yet the Dolphins immediately answered with quarterback Matt Moore finding tight end Anthony Fasano on a 1-yard touchdown pass, followed by a 5-yard touchdown run from running back Reggie Bush. Miami would add onto their lead in the second quarter with Moore connecting with fullback Charles Clay on a 12-yard touchdown pass, followed by wide receiver Davone Bess on a 4-yard touchdown pass. Buffalo would close out the half with Rayner booting a 56-yard field goal.
The Dolphins continued their dominating day in the third quarter with running back Lex Hilliard recovering a blocked punt in the endzone for a touchdown (the team's first TD off of a blocked punt since 1990). The Bills tried to rally as linebacker Kelvin Sheppard tackled rookie running back Daniel Thomas in the endzone for a safety, but Miami's lead proved to be too much to overcome.
With the win, the Dolphins improved to 3–7.
This game also marked the first time since 1990 that Miami allowed 10 points or fewer in three straight games. They became the third team in NFL history to win 3 straight after starting the season at least 0–7 (1978 Cardinals and 1986 Colts). [35]
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphins | 3 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 19 |
Cowboys | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Game information | ||
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Coming off their win over the Bills, the Dolphins flew to Cowboys Stadium for a Week 12 interconference duel with the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Miami delivered the game's opening punch in the first quarter with a 26-yard field goal from kicker Shayne Graham, but the Cowboys answered in the second quarter with kicker Dan Bailey getting a 32-yard field goal, followed by quarterback Tony Romo completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Laurent Robinson. The Dolphins would close out the half with a 28-yard field goal from Graham.
Miami would regain the lead in the third quarter with a 27-yard field goal from Graham, followed by quarterback Matt Moore finding wide receiver Brandon Marshall on a 35-yard field goal. Dallas struck back in the fourth quarter with Romo completing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Robinson. The Dolphins would reply with a 23-yard field goal from Graham, but the Cowboys got the last laugh with Bailey nailing the game-winning 28-yard field goal.
With the loss, Miami fell to 3–8.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raiders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
Dolphins | 6 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 34 |
at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information | ||
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With the win, the Dolphins improved to 4–8.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Eagles | 0 | 24 | 0 | 2 | 26 |
Dolphins | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Dolphins dropped to 4–9, and were officially eliminated from postseason contention. One day later (December 12), head coach Tony Sparano was fired and replaced by assistant coach Todd Bowles on an interim basis for the remainder of the season.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dolphins | 0 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 30 |
Bills | 7 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 23 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Dolphins | 3 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
Patriots | 0 | 0 | 17 | 10 | 27 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Game information | ||
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Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Jets | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
Dolphins | 3 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 19 |
at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
Game information | ||
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The Dolphins closed out their season with a 19–17 win over the Jets that knocked the Jets out of playoff contention. The Dolphins intercepted Mark Sanchez three times and limited him to 235 passing yards. The win was the 400th in Miami Dolphins franchise history and the final game for Jason Taylor, held to one tackle in the game; he recovered what was initially ruled a fumble by the Jets and raced to a touchdown, but the score was nullified when the ball was ruled down by contact.
AFC East | |||||||||
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(1) New England Patriots | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 10–2 | 513 | 342 | W8 |
New York Jets | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3–3 | 6–6 | 394 | 382 | L3 |
Miami Dolphins | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 5–7 | 348 | 330 | W1 |
Buffalo Bills | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1–5 | 4–8 | 372 | 434 | L1 |
The 2007 season was the Miami Dolphins' 38th season in the National Football League, their 42nd overall, their the third and final under general manager Randy Mueller and first and only under head coach Cam Cameron.
The 2001 season was the New England Patriots' 32nd in the National Football League (NFL) and their 42nd season overall. They finished with an 11–5 record and a division title before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXVI.
The 2008 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 43rd overall and the first under new head coach Tony Sparano. During the regular season the Dolphins completed the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history, going from a 1–15 regular season record in 2007 to an 11–5 record in 2008. The previous record for most improved team one year after a 1–15 season belonged to the 1997 New York Jets, who went 9–7. The 1999 Indianapolis Colts were the only other team to accomplish a 10-game turnaround, winning 13 games after winning 3 in 1998, which was also the first year of the Peyton Manning era. Additionally, Miami won the AFC East, becoming the first team in NFL history to win their division after only having one win the previous season. The division title also snapped the Patriots' 5-year streak of winning the AFC East. Their season would come to an end in the Wild Card round when they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens, which coincidentally, was also the only team they beat last season in overtime to save the Dolphins from suffering a winless season. With their 11–5 record and division title, the Dolphins had hopes of achieving their first playoff victory since 2000, or to possibly become the first team ever to make the Super Bowl after winning only one game the previous season, similar to how the Carolina Panthers went 1–15 in 2001 and made Super Bowl XXXVIII just two seasons later.
The 1978 Houston Oilers season was the franchise's 19th overall and the ninth in the National Football League (NFL). Led by Rookie RB Earl Campbell, who won both the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Offensive Player of the Year, who rushed for 1,450 yards, the Oilers made the playoffs with a 10–6 record, qualifying in the newly created fifth Wild Card spot. The franchise scored 283 points while the defense gave up 298 points. Their record of 10 wins and 6 losses resulted in a second-place finish in the AFC Central Division. In the playoffs, the Oilers would stun the Miami Dolphins, 17–9, in the two teams first playoff meeting, then defeated the New England Patriots 31–14 in New England to advance to their first ever AFC Championship game, but in that game, they would score a mere 5 points in a 34–5 blowout loss to the eventual champion Steelers.
The 2009 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 40th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 44th overall and the second under head coach Tony Sparano. The Dolphins entered the 2009 season as the reigning AFC East champions after posting an 11–5 record in 2008. Dropping by four more games, the Dolphins failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007, marking the 25th consecutive year that the region hosting the Super Bowl did not see its host team play in, thus it set off a playoff drought that lasted until 2016.
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 (NFL), the eleventh season under the leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert, and the fourth under head coach Mike Tomlin.
The 2010 New York Jets season was the franchise's 51st season overall, the team's 41st season in the National Football League (NFL) and their first season at New Meadowlands Stadium. The team improved on their 9–7 record from 2009 and reached the playoffs again. The Jets were the subject of HBO's training camp series Hard Knocks. The Jets played their first pre-season game home against the New York Giants to open up Meadowlands Stadium. Many considered them AFC East favorites; head coach Rex Ryan went so far as to guarantee a Super Bowl victory. Jets broke a team record with a franchise best 6 consecutive wins on the road with a win against the Lions, followed by a win against the Browns in week 10. In the same victory against the Browns, the Jets became the first team in NFL history to win back-to-back road games in overtime. The Jets were the last NFL team to be undefeated on the road, before suffering a 45–3 loss at the New England Patriots in Week 13. The Jets met the Patriots again five weeks later in the AFC Divisional Round back in Foxborough where New York upset New England 28–21. The following week, the Jets lost 24–19 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship, ending their hopes of returning to the Super Bowl for the first time in 42 seasons and ending what would have been a Cinderella Run.
The 2010 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 41st season in the National Football League (NFL), the 45th overall and the third under head coach Tony Sparano. The Dolphins failed to improve upon their 7–9 record in 2009, and placed in third in the AFC East that year.
The 2011 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL), the third playing their home games at Cowboys Stadium and the first full season under head coach Jason Garrett. The team improved on their 6–10 record from 2010, but missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season due to their week 17 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants.
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The 2012 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 43rd season in the National Football League (NFL), and the 47th overall in the American Football Conference Eastern Division. The season concluded with the Dolphins finishing second in the AFC Eastern Division with a 7–9 record, and no postseason play for the fourth consecutive season.
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