2015 Miami Dolphins season

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2015 Miami Dolphins season
OwnerStephen M. Ross
Head coachJoe Philbin (fired on October 5; 1–3 record)
Dan Campbell (interim; 5–7 record)
General managerDennis Hickey
Home fieldSun Life Stadium
Results
Record6–10
Division place4th AFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersMike Pouncey, C
Branden Albert, OT
Jarvis Landry, WR
Reshad Jones, SS
Brent Grimes, CB
Uniform
Miamidolphins uniforms13.png

The 2015 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 46th season in the National Football League and the 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 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 UFA 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 RFA Miami Dolphins
LB Jonathan Freeny RFA New England Patriots
RB Daniel Thomas UFA Chicago Bears
S Michael Thomas ERFA 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[]

Main article: 2015 NFL 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

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).[1]
  • 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 2013 season.

Staff[]

2015 Miami Dolphins staff
Front office
  • Chairman/Managing General Partner – Stephen Ross
  • Vice Chairman/Partner – Jorge Perez
  • Vice Chairman – Don Shula
  • President/CEO – Tom Garfinkel
  • General Manager – Dennis Hickey
  • Assistant General Manager – Eric Stokes
  • Executive Vice President of Football Administration – Dawn Aponte
  • Executive Vice President of Football Operations – Mike Tannenbaum
  • Manager of Football Administration –
  • Director of Player Personnel –
  • Director of College Scouting – Chris Grier
  • Director of Pro Scouting –

Head coaches

  • Head Coach – Joe Philbin (fired on October 5)
  • Interim Head Coach – Dan Campbell
  • Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator – Darren Rizzi

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • Defensive Coordinator – Lou Anarumo
  • Defensive Line – Terrell Williams
  • Assistant Defensive Line –
  • Linebackers – Mark Duffner
  • Assistant Linebackers –
  • Defensive Backs – vacant
  • Assistant Defensive Backs – Blue Adams
  • Assistant Defensive Backs – Jeff Burris

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head Strength and Conditioning –
  • Assistant Strength and Conditioning –
  • Sports Science Analyst – Dave Regan

Final roster[]

2015 Miami Dolphins final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 8 inactive, 8 practice squad

Schedule[]

Preseason[]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 13 at Chicago Bears L 10–27 0–1 Soldier Field Recap
2 August 22 at Carolina Panthers L 30–31 0–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap
3 August 29 Atlanta Falcons W 13–9 1–2 Sun Life Stadium Recap
4 September 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–22 1–3 Sun Life Stadium Recap

Regular season[]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
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 (London, England) Recap
5 Bye
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 October 29 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 December 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[]

Week One: Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 7 01017
Redskins 3 7 0010

at FedExField, Landover, Maryland

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 76,512
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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[]

Week Two: Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 3 10 7020
Jaguars 10 10 0323

at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 87 °F (31 °C), zero percent chance of rain
  • Game attendance: 65,443
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker
  • Preview, Gamebook
Game information

Jacksonville kicker Jason Myers would kick the game winning 28 yard field goal with under 2 minutes left to give the Jags the win.

With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 1-1.

Week 3: vs. Buffalo Bills[]

Week Three: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Bills 14 13 01441
Dolphins 0 0 8614

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 87 °F (31 °C), mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 64,869
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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

Week Four: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Jets 10 10 7027
Dolphins 0 7 0714

at Wembley Stadium, London, England

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. BST/9:30 a.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 83,986
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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[]

Week Six: Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 10 7 71438
Titans 3 0 7010

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 62,342
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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[]

Week Seven: Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 0 0 131326
Dolphins 21 20 0344

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 84 °F (29 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 65,251
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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[]

Week Eight: Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 0 707
Patriots 7 12 31436

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: October 29
  • Game time: 8:25 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C), cloudy and windy
  • Game attendance: 66,829
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS/NFLN): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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[]

Week Nine: Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 7 7317
Bills 9 10 7733

at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C), sunny with some clouds
  • Game attendance: 70,214
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Solomon Wilcots
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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[]

Week Ten: Miami Dolphins at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 3 10 0720
Eagles 16 0 0319

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 69,596
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

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[]

Week Eleven: Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Cowboys 0 14 01024
Dolphins 0 7 7014

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 65,115
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Peter Schrager
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Tony Romo would start 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.

With the tough loss, the Dolphins fell to 4-6.

Week 12: at New York Jets[]

Week Twelve: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 0 71320
Jets 7 7 71738

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 78,160
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 4-7.

Week 13: vs. Baltimore Ravens[]

Week Thirteen: Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Ravens 0 3 7313
Dolphins 0 15 0015

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 64,519
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein and Steve Tasker
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With the win, Miami kept their slim playoff hopes alive, and improved to 5-7.

Week 14: vs. New York Giants[]

Week Fourteen: New York Giants at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Giants 3 14 7731
Dolphins 7 10 7024

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 65,408
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 5-8, and 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, with 2003 being the last season the Dolphins beat the Giants.

Week 15: at San Diego Chargers[]

Week Fifteen: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 0 7714
Chargers 6 17 0730

at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), fair
  • Game attendance: 66,676
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Steve Beuerlein, Steve Tasker and
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 5-9.

Week 16: vs. Indianapolis Colts[]

Week Sixteen: Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Colts 8 7 0318
Dolphins 0 6 3312

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: December 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 65,482
  • Referee: Gene Steratore
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, David Diehl and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With the loss, the Dolphins fell to 5-10, and with Buffalo defeating Dallas the same day, they were assured last place in their division.

Week 17: vs. New England Patriots[]

Week Seventeen: New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Patriots 0 3 7010
Dolphins 3 7 01020

at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: January 3, 2016
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 62,918
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With the stunning win, the Dolphins ended their season at 6-10 and kept the Patriots from clinching home field advantage in the AFC Playoffs.

Standings[]

Division[]

AFC East
  • view
  • talk
 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) New England Patriots 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 465 315 L2
New York Jets 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 387 314 L1
Buffalo Bills 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 379 359 W2
Miami Dolphins 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 310 389 W1

Conference[]

AFC
  • v
  • t
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division Leaders
1[a] Denver Broncos West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .500 .479 W2
2[a] New England Patriots East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .473 .448 L2
3[a] Cincinnati Bengals North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .477 .406 W1
4 Houston Texans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 .496 .410 W3
Wild Cards
5 Kansas City Chiefs West 11 5 0 .688 5–1 10–2 .496 .432 W10
6[b] Pittsburgh Steelers North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .504 .463 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[b] New York Jets East 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .441 .388 L1
8[c] Buffalo Bills East 8 8 0 .500 4–2 7–5 .508 .438 W2
9[c] Indianapolis Colts South 8 8 0 .500 4–2 6–6 .500 .406 W2
10 Oakland Raiders West 7 9 0 .438 3–3 7–5 .512 .366 L1
11 Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 .469 .469 W2
12[d] Jacksonville Jaguars South 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 .473 .375 L3
13[d] Baltimore Ravens North 5 11 0 .313 3–3 4–8 .508 .425 L1
14 San Diego Chargers West 4 12 0 .250 0–6 3–9 .527 .328 L2
15[e] Cleveland Browns North 3 13 0 .188 1–5 2–10 .531 .271 L3
16[e] Tennessee Titans South 3 13 0 .188 1–5 1–11 .492 .375 L4
Tiebreakers[f]
  1. ^ a b c Denver finished ahead of New England and Cincinnati for the No. 1 seed based on head-to-head sweep. New England finished ahead of Cincinnati for the No. 2 seed based
    on record vs. common opponents — New England's cumulative record against Buffalo, Denver, Houston and Pittsburgh was 4–1, while Cincinnati's cumulative record against
    the same four teams was 2–3.
  2. ^ a b Pittsburgh finished ahead of the New York Jets for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents — Pittsburgh's cumulative
    record against Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England and Oakland was 4–1, while the Jets' cumulative record against the same four teams was 3–2.
  3. ^ a b Buffalo finished ahead of Indianapolis based on head-to-head victory.
  4. ^ a b Jacksonville finished ahead of Baltimore based on head-to-head victory.
  5. ^ a b Cleveland finished ahead of Tennessee based on head-to-head victory.
  6. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

References[]

  1. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-05-05. Retrieved 2015-06-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links[]

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