Aqua & Orange Ascendancy
A comprehensive analysis of the 2000 Miami Dolphins season, marking a significant transition and a memorable playoff run.
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Season Overview
A New Era Begins
The 2000 season marked the Miami Dolphins' 31st year in the National Football League and their 35th overall. It was a pivotal year, being the first under new head coach Dave Wannstedt, who was appointed on January 16, 2000, following Jimmy Johnson's retirement. Significantly, this was the first season since 1982 that legendary quarterback Dan Marino was not on the opening day roster, having announced his retirement. Jay Fiedler stepped into the starting quarterback role, with Damon Huard serving as a backup for one game during the season.
Strong Performance & Division Title
Despite the significant roster changes, the Dolphins aimed to improve upon their 9–7 record from the previous season. They started strong, achieving a 6–2 record by mid-season, with both losses being by narrow margins. The second half of the season saw a slightly less dominant but still strong performance, with five wins and three losses. The team concluded the regular season with an impressive 11–5 record, their best since 1992. This achievement secured their fourth consecutive winning season and, notably, their first AFC East title since 1994.
Playoff Journey & Legacy
The 2000 season also marked the Dolphins' fourth consecutive playoff appearance. In the Wild Card Playoffs, they triumphed over the Indianapolis Colts with a 23–17 overtime victory. However, their playoff run concluded in the Divisional Playoffs, where they were shut out 27–0 by the Oakland Raiders. As of the 2025 season, this Wild Card victory remains the most recent playoff win for the Miami Dolphins, highlighting the historical significance of this season. Additionally, the Dolphins swept the New England Patriots in the regular season, a feat not repeated until the 2021 season.
Offseason Dynamics
Key Additions
The offseason saw several strategic acquisitions to bolster the team across various positions. These new talents were crucial in shaping the Dolphins' performance in the post-Marino era.
Notable Subtractions
The most significant departure was the retirement of quarterback Dan Marino. Several other players also left the team, marking a clear shift in the roster composition.
NFL Draft & Rookies
Draft Selections
The 2000 NFL Draft brought in new talent to the Dolphins roster, with selections spanning various positions to strengthen the team for the upcoming season and beyond.
Undrafted Free Agents
Beyond the draft, the Dolphins also signed several undrafted free agents, some of whom would go on to make notable contributions or have significant careers.
Coaching & Front Office
Leadership Structure
The 2000 season saw a new leadership structure with Dave Wannstedt taking the helm as head coach. The front office and coaching staff were composed of experienced professionals guiding the team through this transitional period.
Team Roster
Player Personnel
The 2000 Miami Dolphins roster featured a mix of seasoned veterans and promising new talent, crucial for their successful season. Below is a breakdown of the active roster, practice squad, and reserve players.
Preseason Performance
Preparing for the Regular Season
The Dolphins' preseason schedule provided an opportunity to evaluate the new roster and coaching strategies under Dave Wannstedt. The team finished with a strong 3-1 record, building momentum for the challenging regular season ahead.
Regular Season Highlights
Early Season Dominance
The Dolphins kicked off the regular season with a commanding 23–0 shutout victory against the Seattle Seahawks, marking Jay Fiedler's debut as the starting quarterback. Lamar Smith's 145 rushing yards and Sam Madison's two interceptions highlighted a strong team performance. This win extended Miami's streak of opening the season 1–0 to nine consecutive years.[4]
Despite a narrow 7–13 road loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2, where both teams struggled with turnovers, Miami quickly rebounded. They secured a 19–6 home victory against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, a game also notable for the halftime ceremony honoring Dan Marino and retiring his number 13.[7] The Dolphins continued their defensive prowess in Week 4, defeating division rivals New England Patriots 10–3, becoming the first NFL team to allow only one touchdown in their first four games of the season.[8]
The Monday Night Miracle
A significant turning point in the season was the Week 8 "Monday Night Miracle" game against the New York Jets. The Dolphins held a commanding 30–7 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. However, the Jets mounted an extraordinary comeback, scoring 30 points in the final quarter to tie the game at 37–37. The Jets ultimately won 40–37 in overtime with a field goal, a stunning defeat for Miami.[11]
Despite this setback, the Dolphins demonstrated resilience. They bounced back in Week 9 with a 28–20 home victory over the Green Bay Packers, featuring a fake punt and a punt return touchdown. This win improved their record to 6–2.[12]
Securing the Division
The Dolphins maintained a strong performance through the latter half of the season, securing crucial wins against the Detroit Lions (23–8)[13] and San Diego Chargers (17–7). The game against the Chargers was particularly notable as San Diego utilized three different quarterbacks, all of whom threw interceptions.[14] A second encounter with the New York Jets in Week 12 resulted in a 3–20 loss, where Jay Fiedler was injured and replaced by Damon Huard.[16]
Miami finished the regular season with an 11–5 record, clinching the AFC East title with a 27–24 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 17. This marked their best record since 1992 and their first division title since 1994.
Full Regular Season Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 3 | Seattle Seahawks | W 23–0 | 1–0 | Pro Player Stadium | 72,949 |
| 2 | September 10 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 7–13 | 1–1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,112 |
| 3 | September 17 | Baltimore Ravens | W 19–6 | 2–1 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,464 |
| 4 | September 24 | New England Patriots | W 10–3 | 3–1 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,344 |
| 5 | October 1 | at Cincinnati Bengals | W 31–16 | 4–1 | Paul Brown Stadium | 61,535 |
| 6 | October 8 | Buffalo Bills | W 22–13 | 5–1 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,901 |
| 7 | Bye | |||||
| 8 | October 23 | at New York Jets | L 37–40 (OT) | 5–2 | Giants Stadium | 78,389 |
| 9 | October 29 | Green Bay Packers | W 28–20 | 6–2 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,740 |
| 10 | November 5 | at Detroit Lions | W 23–8 | 7–2 | Pontiac Silverdome | 77,813 |
| 11 | November 12 | at San Diego Chargers | W 17–7 | 8–2 | Qualcomm Stadium | 56,896 |
| 12 | November 19 | New York Jets | L 3–20 | 8–3 | Pro Player Stadium | 74,320 |
| 13 | November 26 | at Indianapolis Colts | W 17–14 | 9–3 | RCA Dome | 56,935 |
| 14 | December 3 | at Buffalo Bills | W 33–6 | 10–3 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | 73,002 |
| 15 | December 10 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 13–16 | 10–4 | Pro Player Stadium | 74,307 |
| 16 | December 17 | Indianapolis Colts | L 13–20 | 10–5 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,884 |
| 17 | December 24 | at New England Patriots | W 27–24 | 11–5 | Foxboro Stadium | 60,292 |
Postseason Journey
Wild Card Triumph
Having secured the AFC East title, the Miami Dolphins advanced to the playoffs, hosting their division rivals, the Indianapolis Colts, in the Wild Card round. Quarterback Jay Fiedler threw for 185 yards, completing 19 of 34 attempts, though he was intercepted three times in the first half.[18] The game's standout performance came from running back Lamar Smith, who rushed for an impressive 209 yards on 40 attempts, setting a club record that stood until Ricky Williams' 42-attempt game in 2003.[19] The Dolphins ultimately secured a thrilling 23–17 victory in overtime, with Smith scoring the winning 17-yard run.[18] This victory holds particular historical significance as it remains the most recent postseason win for the Miami Dolphins as of the 2025 season.[2]
Divisional Round Exit
Following their Wild Card success, the Dolphins traveled to face the Oakland Raiders in the Divisional Round on January 6, 2001. Unfortunately, Miami's playoff journey ended there, as they were shut out 27–0 by the Raiders. This game marked a stark contrast to their hard-fought victory the previous week, highlighting the intense competition at the highest levels of the NFL playoffs.
Playoff Game Summaries
| Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Card | December 30, 2000 | Indianapolis Colts | W 23–17 | 73,193 |
| Divisional | January 6, 2001 | at Oakland Raiders | L 0–27 | 61,998 |
AFC East Standings
Division Leaders
The 2000 Miami Dolphins concluded the regular season as the champions of the AFC East, showcasing a strong performance against their division rivals. Their consistent play earned them a top seed in the conference playoffs.
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 323 | 226 | W1 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 429 | 326 | W3 |
| New York Jets | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 321 | 321 | L3 |
| Buffalo Bills | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 315 | 350 | W1 |
| New England Patriots | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 276 | 338 | L1 |
Awards & Honors
Pro Bowl Selections
The 2000 Miami Dolphins season was recognized with seven players being selected for the prestigious Pro Bowl, a testament to their individual excellence and the team's overall strength.
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References
References
- The Football Database. Retrieved 2014-Jan-12.
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