The 2015 season was the Miami Dolphins' 46th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 50th overall. The Dolphins looked to improve on their 8–8 record from 2014 and return to the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. However, Miami failed to clinch a playoff berth for the seventh consecutive season after a Week 14 loss to the New York Giants.
The Dolphins entered 2015 with Joe Philbin as their head coach for a fourth season. After the team started 1−3, Philbin was fired by the Dolphins. Dan Campbell, the team's tight ends coach, served as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season and recorded a 5−7 record.
Highlights from the season include the Dolphins' first-ever victory over the Houston Texans, their first win over the Philadelphia Eagles since 1999, and their first road win over the Washington Redskins since 1984.
Free agents Position Player Tag 2015 Team Notes QB Matt Moore Miami Dolphins S Louis Delmas UFA Miami Dolphins RB Knowshon Moreno UFA DT Jared Odrick UFA Jacksonville Jaguars G Daryn Colledge UFA C Samson Satele UFA TE Charles Clay UFA Buffalo Bills S Jimmy Wilson UFA San Diego Chargers LB Kelvin Sheppard UFA Miami Dolphins DE Derrick Shelby Miami Dolphins LB Jonathan Freeny RFA New England Patriots RB Daniel Thomas UFA Chicago Bears S Michael Thomas Miami Dolphins RB LaMichael James UFA Miami Dolphins S Jordan Kovacs ERFA Miami Dolphins CB R.J. Stanford RFA TE Gerell Robinson ERFA C Sam Brenner ERFA Miami Dolphins RB Jerome Messam RFA
2015 draft
2015 Miami Dolphins Draft Round Selection Player Position College 1 14 DeVante Parker WR Louisville 2 52 Jordan Phillips DT Oklahoma 4 114 Jamil Douglas G Arizona State 5 145 Bobby McCain CB Memphis 149 Jay Ajayi RB Boise State 150 Cedric Thompson FS Minnesota 156 Tony Lippett CB Michigan State
Notable undrafted free agents 2015 Miami Dolphins Draft Round Selection Player Position College — — Matt Darr Punter Tennessee — — Andrew Franks Placekicker RPI — — Neville Hewitt Linebacker Marshall
Notes The Dolphins traded their second-round selection (No. 47 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Philadelphia's second-round (No. 52 overall) and two fifth-round selections (No. 145 and 156 overall). The Dolphins traded their third-round selection (No. 78 overall) and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for wide receiver Kenny Stills. The Dolphins acquired an additional fifth-round selection (No. 149 overall) in a trade that sent their seventh-round selection (No. 232 overall — previously acquired in a trade that sent offensive tackle Jonathan Martin to the San Francisco 49ers) and wide receiver Mike Wallace to the Minnesota Vikings. The Dolphins traded their original seventh-round selection (No. 231 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie during the season.
Staff
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Chicago Bears L 10–27 0–1 Soldier Field Recap 2 at Carolina Panthers L 30–31 0–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap 3 Atlanta Falcons W 13–9 1–2 Sun Life Stadium Recap 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–22 1–3 Sun Life Stadium Recap
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 13 at Washington Redskins W 17–10 1–0 FedExField Recap 2 September 20 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 20–23 1–1 EverBank Field Recap 3 September 27 Buffalo Bills L 14–41 1–2 Sun Life Stadium Recap 4 October 4 New York Jets L 14–27 1–3 Wembley Stadium Recap 5Bye 6 October 18 at Tennessee Titans W 38–10 2–3 Nissan Stadium Recap 7 October 25 Houston Texans W 44–26 3–3 Sun Life Stadium Recap 8 at New England Patriots L 7–36 3–4 Gillette Stadium Recap 9 November 8 at Buffalo Bills L 17–33 3–5 Ralph Wilson Stadium Recap 10 November 15 at Philadelphia Eagles W 20–19 4–5 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 11 November 22 Dallas Cowboys L 14–24 4–6 Sun Life Stadium Recap 12 November 29 at New York Jets L 20–38 4–7 MetLife Stadium Recap 13 December 6 Baltimore Ravens W 15–13 5–7 Sun Life Stadium Recap 14 New York Giants L 24–31 5–8 Sun Life Stadium Recap 15 December 20 at San Diego Chargers L 14–30 5–9 Qualcomm Stadium Recap 16 December 27 Indianapolis Colts L 12–18 5–10 Sun Life Stadium Recap 17 January 3 New England Patriots W 20–10 6–10 Sun Life Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Washington Redskins With the win, the Dolphins started 1-0 for the second straight year. This was the Dolphins' first road win over the Redskins since their 1984 Super Bowl season.
Week 2: at Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville kicker Jason Myers would kick the game winning 28-yard field goal with under 2 minutes left to give the Jaguars the win.
With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 1–1.
Week 3: vs. Buffalo Bills Ryan Tannehill would be intercepted 3 times in this game, including a pick 6 by Preston Brown, and the Bills trounced Miami in their home opener 41–14.
With the embarrassing loss, the Dolphins fell to 1–2. This was also the worst home opening defeat in franchise history.
Week 4: vs. New York Jets NFL International Series
The Dolphins were considered the home team in the season's first International Series game. They lost dropping them to 1-3 heading into their bye week. A day later, Head Coach Joe Philbin was fired following a 24–28 record with no postseason appearances. Tight Ends Coach Dan Campbell was his replacement serving as an Interim head coach.
Week 6: at Tennessee Titans On a day in which Miami fans traveled well to seemingly outnumber Tennessee fans, the Dolphins would pick up their first win under Dan Campbell.
With the win, Miami improved to 2–3.
Week 7: vs. Houston Texans
The Dolphins thoroughly dominated the first half, scoring 6 touchdowns for a 41–0 halftime lead. With the win, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Houston Texans for the first time in franchise history. This was also the first time since 2003 that the Dolphins scored over 40 points in a game.
Week 8: at New England Patriots
The Dolphins travel to New England to take on the undefeated Patriots. The Dolphins looked to end the streak of the Super Bowl champions, but it was too late as Miami struggled offensively and defensively all game.
Cameron Wake left the game with an Achilles tear. The Dolphins later announced that he would miss the rest of the season. He finished the game with two tackles and a sack.
Week 9: at Buffalo Bills With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 3-5 and were swept by Buffalo for the first time since 2013.
Week 10: at Philadelphia Eagles The Dolphins would trail 16–3 at one point, but they would come back to beat Philadelphia. Near the end of the game, Reshad Jones intercepted Eagles backup quarterback Mark Sanchez to seal the game. This was the Dolphins' first win over the Eagles since 1999.
With the win, Miami improved to 4–5.
Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys Tony Romo started this game for Dallas, and the Cowboys would snap their 7-game losing streak, while the Dolphins failed to get into any rhythm on offense or defense in the game. The Dolphins were also seeking a home win over the Cowboys for the first time since 1984. This game is known for being Romo's last win in the NFL.
With the tough loss, the Dolphins fell to 4–6.
Week 12: at New York Jets With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 4–7.
Week 13: vs. Baltimore Ravens With the win, Miami kept their slim playoff hopes alive, and improved to 5–7.
Week 14: vs. New York Giants With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 5–8 (2-2 against the NFC East), and they were officially eliminated from playoff contention for the 7th straight year, a franchise record. They also fell to 0–4 all time against the Giants at home.
Week 15: at San Diego Chargers With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 5–9 and they finished 3-5 on the road.
Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Colts With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 5–10 (1-3 against the AFC South), and with Buffalo defeating Dallas the same day, they were assured last place in their division.
Week 17: vs. New England Patriots With the stunning win, the Dolphins ended their 50th season at 6-10 (1-5 against the AFC East) and kept the Patriots from clinching home field advantage in the AFC Playoffs. Miami also finished 3-5 at home.
Standings
Division
Conference
References
External links