The 1988 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 23rd as a member of the National Football League (NFL). The Dolphins failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 8–7, winning only six games1988 Miami Dolphins and failing to reach the playoffs for the third straight season.
Even without future Pro Football Hall of Fame center Dwight Stephenson, who was forced to retire prior to this season due to injuries, the Dolphins offensive line set the record for fewest sacks in a single season with 7 during 1988, protecting quarterback Dan Marino. Marino was only sacked on 0.98% of his dropbacks in 1988, also a single-season NFL record.Pro-Football-Reference.com – NFL Single-Season Sacked % Leaders
This would be the last time Don Shula recorded a losing record during his tenure as Dolphins coach, and in his coaching career overall. It would be the final losing season for the Dolphins for 15 years.
Offseason
NFL draft
Personnel
Staff
Roster
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 4 at Chicago Bears L 7–34 0–1 Soldier Field 63,330 2 September 11 at Buffalo Bills L 6–9 0–2 Rich Stadium 79,520 3 September 18 Green Bay Packers W 24–17 1–2 Joe Robbie Stadium 54,409 4 September 25 at Indianapolis Colts L 13–15 1–3 Hoosier Dome 59,638 5 October 2 Minnesota Vikings W 24–7 2–3 Joe Robbie Stadium 59,867 6 October 9 at Los Angeles Raiders W 24–14 3–3 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 50,751 7 October 16 San Diego Chargers W 31–28 4–3 Joe Robbie Stadium 58,972 8 October 23 New York Jets L 30–44 4–4 Joe Robbie Stadium 68,292 9 October 30 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 17–14 5–4 Tampa Stadium 67,352 10 November 6 at New England Patriots L 10–21 5–5 Sullivan Stadium 60,840 11 Buffalo Bills L 6–31 5–6 Joe Robbie Stadium 67,091 12 November 20 New England Patriots L 3–6 5–7 Joe Robbie Stadium 53,526 13 November 27 at New York Jets L 34–38 5–8 Giants Stadium 52,752 14 December 4 Indianapolis Colts L 28–31 5–9 Joe Robbie Stadium 45,236 15 Cleveland Browns W 38–31 6–9 Joe Robbie Stadium 61,884 16 December 18 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 24–40 6–10 Three Rivers Stadium 36,051 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 5
First time Dan Marino faced the Minnesota Vikings in the regular season.
Week 6
Pro-Football-Reference.com
Standings
Awards and records October 23, 1988: Dan Marino set a franchise record for most passing yards in one game (521)NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, , p.60 November 6, 1988: Jim Jensen set a franchise record for most receptions in one game (12) Brian Sochia, Pro Bowl selection
References
External links 1988 Miami Dolphins at Pro-Football-Reference.com