1984 Miami Dolphins season

1984 Miami Dolphins season
OwnerJoe Robbie
PresidentJoe Robbie
Head coachDon Shula
Defensive coordinatorChuck Studley
Home stadiumMiami Orange Bowl
Results
Record14–2
Division place1st AFC East
PlayoffsWon Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Seahawks) 31–10
Won AFC Championship
(vs. Steelers) 45–28
Lost Super Bowl XIX
(vs. 49ers) 16–38
Pro Bowlers8
QB Dan Marino
WR Mark Duper
WR Mark Clayton
G Ed Newman
C Dwight Stephenson
DT Bob Baumhower
ILB A.J. Duhe
P Reggie Roby

The 1984 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 19th season, and 15th in the National Football League (NFL). It was also the 15th season with the team for head coach Don Shula. The Dolphins sought to build on a spectacular 1983 season where they went 12–4 with rookie quarterback Dan Marino.

The Dolphins won the 1984 AFC Championship, and appeared in Super Bowl XIX, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 38–16. To date this is the last season the Dolphins appeared in the Super Bowl.[a]

Second year quarterback Dan Marino's passing ability became the focal point of Miami's offense and in 1984 he exploded to set league records with 5,084 passing yards and 48 touchdowns. Marino's touchdown record was broken by Peyton Manning twenty years later and the yardage record was broken by Drew Brees twenty-seven years later. The Dolphins attempted early on to make a run at a perfect season twelve years after pulling off the feat, as they won their first eleven games but were upended in overtime by the San Diego Chargers. The Dolphins scored more than 500 points for the first and to date only time in their history,[b] as they scored 513 points and finished 14–2, their best record since the undefeated season.

The year began on a somber note, as running back David Overstreet was killed in a traffic collision in June. The Dolphins wore helmet decals with the number 20 (his jersey number) in his memory during this season. Overstreet was the third Dolphin in four seasons to die just before the start of training camp, following Rusty Chambers in July 1981 and Larry Gordon in June 1983.

NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled Movers, Shakers and Record Breakers; it was narrated by Brad Crandall, the first time since 1969 the Dolphins' season highlights were not narrated by John Facenda, who died in September 1984 at age 72.

After the season, the last remaining Dolphin from their Super Bowl VIII team, longtime offensive lineman Ed Newman, retired, ending a 12-year era for the team. He holds the unique distinction as being the only man to make it to Super Bowl VIII and Super Bowl XIX as a member of the Dolphins, as well as Super Bowl XVII in between.

Offseason

Draft

Main article: 1984 NFL draft
1984 Miami Dolphins draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 14 Jackie Shipp  ILB Oklahoma
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents

1984 undrafted free agents of note
Player Position College
Al Del Greco Kicker Auburn

Week 1 roster

Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Reserve

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 2 at Washington Redskins W 35–17 1–0 RFK Stadium 52,683
2 September 9 New England Patriots W 28–7 2–0 Miami Orange Bowl 66,083
3 September 17 at Buffalo Bills W 21–17 3–0 Rich Stadium 65,455
4 September 23 Indianapolis Colts W 44–7 4–0 Miami Orange Bowl 55,415
5 September 30 at St. Louis Cardinals W 36–28 5–0 Busch Memorial Stadium 46,991
6 October 7 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 31–7 6–0 Three Rivers Stadium 59,103
7 October 14 Houston Oilers W 28–10 7–0 Miami Orange Bowl 54,080
8 October 21 at New England Patriots W 44–24 8–0 Sullivan Stadium 60,711
9 October 28 Buffalo Bills W 38–7 9–0 Miami Orange Bowl 58,824
10 November 4 at New York Jets W 31–17 10–0 Giants Stadium 72,655
11 November 11 Philadelphia Eagles W 24–23 11–0 Miami Orange Bowl 70,227
12 November 18 at San Diego Chargers L 28–34 (OT) 11–1 Jack Murphy Stadium 53,041
13 November 26 New York Jets W 28–17 12–1 Miami Orange Bowl 74,884
14 December 2 Los Angeles Raiders L 34–45 12–2 Miami Orange Bowl 71,222
15 December 9 at Indianapolis Colts W 35–17 13–2 Hoosier Dome 60,411
16 December 17 Dallas Cowboys W 28–21 14–2 Miami Orange Bowl 74,139

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Season summary

Week 1 (Sunday, September 2, 1984): at Washington Redskins

[1]

Week 1: Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Dolphins (1–0) 7 7 21035
Redskins (0–1) 0 10 0717

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

  • Date: September 2, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C); relative humidity 62%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
  • Game attendance: 52,683
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
  • [2]
Team Category Player Statistics
MIA Passing Dan Marino 21/28, 311 YDS, 5 TDs
Rushing Andra Franklin 13 CAR, 48 YDS
Receiving Mark Duper 6 REC, 178 YDS, 2 TDs
WSH Passing Joe Theismann 21/36, 204 YDS, 2 INTs
Rushing John Riggins 15 CAR, 98 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving Charlie Brown 6 REC, 60 YDS
  • Point spread: Redskins by 4½
  • Over/under: 46.0 (over)
  • Time of game: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Dolphins Game statistics Redskins
18 First downs 23
30–86 Rushes–yards 29–156
311 Passing yards 204
21–28–0 Passes 21–36–2
0–0 Sacked–yards 2–11
311 Net passing yards 193
397 Total yards 349
152 Return yards 148
5–45.8 Punts 4–43.8
0–0 Fumbles–lost 1–1
4–45 Penalties–yards 3–20
28:48 Time of Possession 31:12

Dan Marino had one of the best passing days of his career, completing 21 of 28 passes for 311 yards with 5 TDs and no interceptions for a Passer Rating of 150.4. This game also marked the emergence of Jim "Crash" Jensen, who lined up as a receiver for the first time and caught 2 of Marino's TD passes. Until 2015, this was the Dolphins' last road win over the Redskins.

Week 2 (Sunday, September 9, 1984): vs. New England Patriots

[3]

Week 2: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots (1–1) 0 7 007
Dolphins (2–0) 0 7 14728

at Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, Florida

  • Date: September 9, 1984
  • Game time: 1:02 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C); relative humidity 65%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
  • Game attendance: 66,083
  • Referee: Chuck Heberling
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
  • [4]
Team Category Player Statistics
NE Passing Steve Grogan 20/42, 217 YDS, 1 TD, 4 INTs
Rushing Tony Collins 20 CAR, 87 YDS
Receiving Derrick Ramsey 5 REC, 70 YDS
MIA Passing Dan Marino 17/28, 269 YDS, 3 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing Tony Nathan 10 CAR, 36 YDS
Receiving Mark Clayton 5 REC, 75 YDS, 2 TDs
  • Point spread: Dolphins by 6
  • Over/under: 43.0 (under)
  • Time of game: 3 hours, 3 minutes
Patriots Game statistics Dolphins
18 First downs 17
28–127 Rushes–yards 30–74
217 Passing yards 269
20–42–4 Passes 17–28–2
2–12 Sacked–yards 0–0
205 Net passing yards 269
332 Total yards 343
74 Return yards 183
8–39.6 Punts 5–41.6
2–1 Fumbles–lost 0–0
6–53 Penalties–yards 6–46
30:46 Time of Possession 29:14

Dan Marino increased his two-game total of seven touchdown passes as he tossed a pair of scoring strikes to Mark Clayton within a 1:36 span in the third quarter to lead Miami to its 17th straight victory against the Patriots at The Orange Bowl. Miami intercepted four Steve Grogan passes. Mike Kozlowski returned one 26 yards, then laterred to William Judson who rambled the remaining 60 yards for a touchdown.

Week 3 (Monday, September 17, 1984): at Buffalo Bills

[5]

Week 3: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Dolphins (3–0) 7 7 7021
Bills (0–3) 0 3 7717

at Rich Stadium • Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: September 17, 1984
  • Game time: 9:01 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C); wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
  • Game attendance: 65,455
  • Referee: Bob Frederic
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play) and O. J. Simpson (color commentator)
  • [6]
Team Category Player Statistics
MIA Passing
Rushing
Receiving
BUF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Dolphins Game statistics Bills
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of Possession

Week 4

Team 1 234Total
Colts 0 700 7
• Dolphins 7 16147 44

[7]

Week 5

Team 1 234Total
• Dolphins 6 20010 36
Cardinals 0 1477 28

[8]

Week 6

Team 1 234Total
• Dolphins 0 2137 31
Steelers 0 070 7

[9]

Week 7

Team 1 234Total
Oilers 0 037 10
• Dolphins 0 7714 28
  • Date: October 14
  • Location: Orange Bowl
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Gary Gerould, Dave Rowe

[10]

Week 8 (Sunday, October 21, 1984): at New England Patriots

[11]

Week 8: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Dolphins (8–0) 3 13 141444
Patriots (5–3) 3 7 7724

at Sullivan Stadium • Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: October 21, 1984
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C); relative humidity 53%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
  • Game attendance: 60,711
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
  • [12]
Team Category Player Statistics
MIA Passing Dan Marino 24/39, 316 YDS, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Joe Carter 14 CAR, 92 YDS
Receiving Mark Clayton 7 REC, 99 YDS, 1 TD
NE Passing Tony Eason 19/29, 313 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing Mosi Tatupu 20 CAR, 90 YDS
Receiving Derrick Ramsey 5 REC, 32 YDS, 1 TD
  • Point spread: Dolphins by 4
  • Over/under: 42.0 (over)
  • Time of game: 3 hours, 13 minutes
Dolphins Game statistics Patriots
33 First downs 18
37–236 Rushes–yards 27–102
316 Passing yards 313
24–39–1 Passes 19–29–0
0–0 Sacked–yards 1–7
316 Net passing yards 306
552 Total yards 408
75 Return yards 113
1–38.0 Punts 3–57.0
0–0 Fumbles–lost 1–1
6–36 Penalties–yards 6–36
31:59 Time of Possession 28:01

Week 9 (Sunday, October 28, 1984): vs. Buffalo Bills

[13]

Week 9: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bills (0–9) 0 0 077
Dolphins (9–0) 7 17 01438

at Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, Florida

Team Category Player Statistics
BUF Passing
Rushing
Receiving
MIA Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Bills Game statistics Dolphins
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of Possession

Week 10

Team 1 234Total
• Dolphins 7 0717 31
Jets 7 307 17
  • Date: November 4
  • Location: Giants Stadium
  • Game start: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C); wind 13 mph (21 km/h)
  • Referee: Gordon McCarter
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Bob Griese
Scoring summary
Q17:38MIAMoore 37 yard pass from Marino (von Schamann kick)MIA 7–0
Q15:03NYJWalker 33 yard pass from Ryan (Leahy kick)Tie 7–7
Q22:14NYJLeahy 32 yard field goalNYJ 10–7
Q34:21MIABennett 3 yard run (von Schamann kick)MIA 14–10
Q49:31NYJMcNeil 6 yard run (Leahy kick)NYJ 17–14
Q47:45MIAClayton 47 yard pass from Marino (von Schamann kick)MIA 21—17
Q43:56MIAvon Schamann 30 yard field goalMIA 24–17
Q41:57MIAJohnson 2 yard run (von Schamann kick)MIA 31–17

[15][16]

Week 11

Team 1 234Total
Eagles 14 036 23
• Dolphins 0 7710 24

[17]

Week 12

Team 1 234OTTotal
Dolphins 0 21700 28
• Chargers 7 70146 34

[18]

Week 13

Team 1 234Total
Jets 7 370 17
• Dolphins 0 14140 28

[19]

Week 14

Team 1 234Total
• Raiders 7 10721 45
Dolphins 7 6147 34

[20]

Week 15

Team 1 234Total
• Dolphins 7 01414 35
Colts 7 1000 17

[21]

Week 16

Team 1 234Total
Cowboys 0 0714 21
• Dolphins 0 7714 28
  • Date: December 17
  • Location: Orange Bowl
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, O. J. Simpson, Don Meredith

[22]

Playoffs

Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Attendance
Divisional December 29 Seattle Seahawks (4) W 31–10 1–0 Miami Orange Bowl 73,469
AFC Championship January 6, 1985 Pittsburgh Steelers (3) W 45–28 2–0 Miami Orange Bowl 76,029
Super Bowl XIX January 20, 1985 N San Francisco 49ers (N1) L 16–38 2–1 Stanford Stadium 84,059

Standings

AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Miami Dolphins(1) 14 2 0 .875 8–0 10–2 513 298 W2
New England Patriots 9 7 0 .563 6–2 9–3 362 352 W1
New York Jets 7 9 0 .438 3–5 7–7 332 364 L1
Indianapolis Colts 4 12 0 .250 2–6 4–8 239 414 L5
Buffalo Bills 2 14 0 .125 1–7 1–11 250 454 L2

Player stats

Passing

Player Att Comp Yds TD INT Rating
Dan Marino 564 362 5084 48 17 108.9

Postseason

Divisional

Team 1 234Total
Seahawks 0 1000 10
• Dolphins 7 7143 31

[23]

A year after being upended in the playoffs by the Seattle Seahawks the Dolphins routed Seattle 31–10. Dan Marino threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns despite being intercepted twice by Seahawks defensive back John Harris. The Dolphins rushed for 143 yards and a Tony Nathan rushing score as well.

Conference Championship

Team 1 234Total
Steelers 7 777 28
• Dolphins 7 17147 45
Scoring summary
Q17:45MIAClayton 40 yard pass from Marino (von Schamann kick)MIA 7–0
Q13:30PITErenberg 7 yard run (Anderson kick)Tie 7–7
Q29:04MIAvon Schamann 26 yard field goalMIA 10–7
Q23:52PITStallworth 65 yard pass from Malone (Anderson kick)PIT 14–10
Q22:30MIADuper 41 yard pass from Marino (von Schamann kick)MIA 17–14
Q20:36MIANathan 2 yard run (von Schamann kick)MIA 24–14
Q313:12MIADuper 36 yard pass from Marino (von Schamann kick)MIA 31–14
Q37:55PITStallworth 19 yard pass from Malone (Anderson kick)MIA 31–21
Q31:40MIABennett 1 yard run (von Schamann kick)MIA 38–21
Q411:05MIAMoore 6 yard pass from Marino (von Schamann kick)MIA 45–21
Q40:25PITCapers 29 yard pass from Malone (Anderson kick)MIA 45–28

In a shootout, quarterback Dan Marino led the Dolphins to a victory by throwing for 421 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Steelers quarterback Mark Malone recorded 312 yards and 3 touchdowns, but was intercepted three times. With their 3rd ever victory in the Conference Championship, the Dolphins were able to advance to Super Bowl XIX. As of 2025, this remains the Dolphins last win in the AFC Championship.

Super Bowl XIX (Sunday, January 20, 1985): vs. San Francisco 49ers

Main article: Super Bowl XIX

[24]

Super Bowl XIX: Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Dolphins (16–3) 10 6 0016
49ers (18–1) 7 21 10038

at Stanford Stadium • Stanford, California

The Dolphins season ended with an overall record of 16-3. As of 2025, this remains the Dolphins last appearance in the Super Bowl.

Team Category Player Statistics
MIA Passing Dan Marino 29/50, 318 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing Tony Nathan 5 CAR, 18 YDS
Receiving Tony Nathan 10 REC, 83 YDS
SF Passing Joe Montana 24/35, 331 YDS, 3 TDs
Rushing Wendell Tyler 13 CAR, 65 YDS
Receiving Roger Craig 7 REC, 77 YDS, 2 TDs
  • Point spread: 49ers by 3
  • Over/under: 53.5 (over)
  • Time of game: 3 hours, 13 minutes
Dolphins Game statistics 49ers
19 First downs 31
9–25 Rushes–yards 40–211
318 Passing yards 331
29–50–2 Passes 24–35–0
4–29 Sacked–yards 1–5
289 Net passing yards 326
314 Total yards 537
155 Return yards 91
6–39.3 Punts 3–32.7
1–0 Fumbles–lost 2–2
1–10 Penalties–yards 2–10
22:49 Time of Possession 37:11

Super Bowl XIX was played on January 20, 1985, and featured the San Francisco 49ers and the Miami Dolphins. The 49ers won their second Super Bowl, defeating the Dolphins 38–16. Dan Marino, the Dolphins quarterback passed for one touchdown and two interceptions, while Joe Montana, the 49ers quarterback passed for 3 touchdowns and rushed for another.

Awards and honors

Personnel

Coaches / Staff

1984 Miami Dolphins staff

Front office

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Don Shula

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and flexibility – Junior Wade

Final roster

1984 Miami Dolphins roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Reserve

Rookies in italics
49 active, 7 reserve

Notes

  1. ^ As of the 2022 season
  2. ^ as of 2015 season

References

  1. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  2. ^ Pro Football Reference; Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins – September 2, 1984
  3. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  4. ^ Pro Football Reference; New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – September 9, 1984
  5. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  6. ^ Pro Football Reference; Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – September 17, 1984
  7. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  8. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  9. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  10. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  11. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  12. ^ Pro Football Reference; Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – October 21, 1984
  13. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  14. ^ Pro Football Reference; Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – October 28, 1984
  15. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com
  16. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  17. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  18. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  19. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  20. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  21. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  22. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  23. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  24. ^ The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Feb-18.
  25. ^ "Super Bowl Game-Time Temperatures". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  26. ^ Pro Football Reference; Super Bowl XIX – Miami Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers – January 20, 1985
  27. ^ "Maxwell Football Club - Bert Bell Award Past Recipients". Archived from the original on June 19, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
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