1988 Miami Dolphins season

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 games[1] and failing to reach the playoffs for the third straight season.

1988 Miami Dolphins season
Head coachDon Shula
Home fieldJoe Robbie Stadium
Results
Record6–10
Division place5th AFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers

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.[2]

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

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NFL draft

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1988 Miami Dolphins draft
RoundPickPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
116Eric Kumerow LinebackerOhio State
242Jarvis Williams SafetyFlorida
373Ferrell Edmunds * Tight endMaryland
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

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Staff

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1988 Miami Dolphins staff

Front office

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Don Shula
  • Assistant head coach – David Shula

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams – Mike Westhoff

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Junior Wade

Roster

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1988 Miami Dolphins final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Rookies in italics
47 active, 15 inactive

[3]

Regular season

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Schedule

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WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendance
1September 4at Chicago BearsL 7–340–1Soldier Field63,330
2September 11at Buffalo BillsL 6–90–2Rich Stadium79,520
3September 18Green Bay PackersW 24–171–2Joe Robbie Stadium54,409
4September 25at Indianapolis ColtsL 13–151–3Hoosier Dome59,638
5October 2Minnesota VikingsW 24–72–3Joe Robbie Stadium59,867
6October 9at Los Angeles RaidersW 24–143–3Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum50,751
7October 16San Diego ChargersW 31–284–3Joe Robbie Stadium58,972
8October 23New York JetsL 30–444–4Joe Robbie Stadium68,292
9October 30at Tampa Bay BuccaneersW 17–145–4Tampa Stadium67,352
10November 6at New England PatriotsL 10–215–5Sullivan Stadium60,840
11November 14Buffalo BillsL 6–315–6Joe Robbie Stadium67,091
12November 20New England PatriotsL 3–65–7Joe Robbie Stadium53,526
13November 27at New York JetsL 34–385–8Giants Stadium52,752
14December 4Indianapolis ColtsL 28–315–9Joe Robbie Stadium45,236
15December 12Cleveland BrownsW 38–316–9Joe Robbie Stadium61,884
16December 18at Pittsburgh SteelersL 24–406–10Three Rivers Stadium36,051

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

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Week 5

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First time Dan Marino faced the Minnesota Vikings in the regular season.

Minnesota Vikings (3-1) at Miami Dolphins (2-2)
1234Total
Vikings00077
• Dolphins0177024

[4]

Week 6

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1234Total
• Dolphins0240024
Raiders007714

[5]

Standings

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AFC East
WLTPCTDIVCONFPFPASTK
Buffalo Bills(2)1240.7507–110–2329237L1
Indianapolis Colts970.5635–37–5354315W1
New England Patriots970.5635–37–5250284L1
New York Jets871.5313–56–7–1372354W2
Miami Dolphins6100.3750–83–9319380L1

Awards and records

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  • October 23, 1988: Dan Marino set a franchise record for most passing yards in one game (521)[6]
  • November 6, 1988: Jim Jensen set a franchise record for most receptions in one game (12) [6]
  • Brian Sochia, Pro Bowl selection

References

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  1. ^ 1988 Miami Dolphins
  2. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com – NFL Single-Season Sacked % Leaders
  3. ^ "1988 Miami Dolphins starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  4. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Miami Dolphins - October 2nd, 1988". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  5. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com
  6. ^ a b NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p.60
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