1986 Miami Dolphins season

21st season in franchise history December 2013 March 2026 Miami Dolphins 1986 8–8 3rd AFC East Don Shula Joe Robbie Miami Orange Bowl Did not qualify 5 QB Dan Marino C Dwight Stephenson ILB John Offerdahl WR Mark Clayton G Roy Foster Dolphins seasons The 1986 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 21st as a member of the National Football League (NFL). The Dolphins failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 12–4, winning only eight games.1986 Miami Dolphins This was the first time in six seasons the team did not qualify for the playoffs and would mark the start of a four-season span of barren postseason chances. This was also the team's final season at the Orange Bowl before moving into their new stadium Joe Robbie Stadium the following season.Glick Shav 1987-08-16 MIRACLE OF MIAMI : They Said Joe Robbie Could Not Do It, but His Stadium Is Proof He Could--and Did https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-16-sp-1898-story.html 2026-03-27 Los Angeles Times en-US Draft 1986 NFL draft 1986 Miami Dolphins 2 52 John Offerdahl Linebacker Western Michigan yes yes 3 81 T.J. Turner Defensive end Houston no yes 4 107 James Pruitt Wide receiver Cal State Fullerton no yes 5 136 Kevin Wyatt Cornerback Arkansas no no 6 163 Brent Sowell Defensive tackle Alabama no no 7 193 Larry Kolic Linebacker Ohio State no yes 8 218 John Stuart Tackle Texas no no 9 247 Reyna Thompson Safety Baylor yes yes 10 274 Jeff Wickersham Quarterback LSU no no 11 303 Arnold Franklin Tight end North Carolina no no 12 329 Rickey Isom Running back NC State no no yes no Personnel Staff 1986 Miami Dolphins President – Joe Robbie Executive vice president/general manager – Mike Robbie Vice president – Don Shula Director of player personnel – Chuck Connor Director of pro scouting – Charley Winner Head coach – Don Shula Assistant head coach – David Shula Quarterbacks/receivers – David Shula Offensive backs – Carl Taseff Tight ends – Mike Westhoff Offensive line – John Sandusky Defense – Chuck Studley Defensive line – Dan Sekanovich Linebackers – Bob Matheson Defensive backs – Mel Phillips Special teams – Mike Westhoff Strength and conditioning – Junior Wade Roster 1986 Miami Dolphins 13 Dan Marino 10 Don Strock 34 Woody Bennett 30 Ron Davenport 33 Craig Ellis gridiron football 27 Lorenzo Hampton 22 Tony Nathan 83 Mark Clayton American football, born 1961 85 Mark Duper 11 Jim Jensen wide receiver 89 Nat Moore 82 James Pruitt y 84 Bruce Hardy 87 Dan Johnson American football 65 Jeff Dellenbach T/G 61 Roy Foster American football G 68 Greg Koch T 66 Larry Lee American football G 72 Ronnie Lee American football G 57 Dwight Stephenson C 76 Tom Toth y T 73 Bob Baumhower NT 75 Doug Betters DE 71 Mike Charles NT 99 George Little defensive lineman DE 70 Brian Sochia NT 95 T. J. Turner defensive lineman y DE 51 Mark Brown linebacker, born 1961 OLB 59 Bob Brudzinski OLB 53 David Frye American football OLB 90 Andy Hendel y ILB 94 Larry Kolic y ILB 56 John Offerdahl y ILB 91 Fred Robinson gridiron football, born 1961 OLB 50 Jackie Shipp ILB 47 Glenn Blackwood SS 43 Bud Brown American football FS 32 Donald Brown defensive back CB 49 William Judson CB 40 Mike Kozlowski SS 28 Don McNeal CB 26 Donovan Rose FS 19 Reyna Thompson CB  7 Fuad Reveiz K  4 Reggie Roby P 42 Lyle Blackwood S IR -- Charles Bowser LB PUP -- Steve Clark American football, born 1960 G IR 79 Jon Giesler T IR 55 Hugh Green American football LB IR 64 Mike Katolin C IR 44 Paul Lankford CB IR 80 Joe Rose American football TE IR 52 Robin Sendlein LB IR 18 Mike Smith defensive back, born 1962 CB IR Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 7 at San Diego Chargers L 28–50 0–1 Jack Murphy Stadium 57,726 2 September 14 Indianapolis Colts W 30–10 1–1 Miami Orange Bowl 51,848 3 September 21 at New York Jets L 45–51 (OT) 1–2 Giants Stadium 71,025 4 September 28 San Francisco 49ers L 16–31 1–3 Miami Orange Bowl 70,264 5 October 5 at New England Patriots L 7–34 1–4 Sullivan Stadium 60,689 6 October 12 Buffalo Bills W 27–14 2–4 Miami Orange Bowl 49,467 7 October 19 Los Angeles Raiders L 28–30 2–5 Miami Orange Bowl 53,421 8 October 26 at Indianapolis Colts W 17–13 3–5 Hoosier Dome 58,350 9 November 2 Houston Oilers W 28–7 4–5 Miami Orange Bowl 43,804 10 November 10 at Cleveland Browns L 16–26 4–6 Cleveland Municipal Stadium 77,949 11 November 16 at Buffalo Bills W 34–24 5–6 Rich Stadium 76,474 12 November 24 New York Jets W 45–3 6–6 Miami Orange Bowl 70,206 13 November 30 Atlanta Falcons L 14–20 6–7 Miami Orange Bowl 53,762 14 December 7 at New Orleans Saints W 31–27 7–7 Louisiana Superdome 64,761 15 December 14 at Los Angeles Rams W 37–31 (OT) 8–7 Anaheim Stadium 62,629 16 December 22 New England Patriots L 27–34 8–8 Miami Orange Bowl 74,516 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Final roster 1986 Miami Dolphins 45 6 0 13 Dan Marino 10 Don Strock 34 Woody Bennett FB 30 Ron Davenport FB 33 Craig Ellis gridiron football RB y 27 Lorenzo Hampton RB 22 Tony Nathan RB 83 Mark Clayton American football, born 1961 85 Mark Duper 11 Jim Jensen wide receiver WR/RB/QB 89 Nat Moore 82 James Pruitt y 84 Bruce Hardy 87 Dan Johnson American football 65 Jeff Dellenbach C/G 61 Roy Foster American football G 68 Greg Koch T 63 Larry Lee American football G 72 Ronnie Lee American football G/T 57 Dwight Stephenson C 76 Tom Toth G y 73 Bob Baumhower NT 75 Doug Betters DE 71 Mike Charles NT 99 George Little defensive lineman DE 70 Brian Sochia DE 95 T. J. Turner defensive lineman DE y 51 Mark Brown linebacker born 1961 ILB 59 Bob Brudzinski OLB 53 David Frye OLB 90 Andy Hendel ILB y 94 Larry Kolic OLB y 56 John Offerdahl ILB y 90 Fred Robinson American football OLB 50 Jackie Shipp ILB 47 Glenn Blackwood SS 43 Bud Brown American football SS 32 Donald Brown defensive back CB y 49 William Judson CB 40 Mike Kozlowski FS 28 Don McNeal CB 26 Donovan Rose S 24 Reyna Thompson CB y 7 Fuad Reveiz K 4 Reggie Roby P 42 Lyle Blackwood FS IR 53 Jay Brophy MLB IR 78 Jerome Foster American football NT IR 79 Jon Giesler T IR 74 Cleveland Green T IR 55 Hugh Green American football OLB IR 44 Paul Lankford CB IR 91 Mack Moore DE IR 18 Mike Smith defensive back, born 1962 DB IR Season summary Week 1 at Chargers 1986 San Diego Chargers season Miami Dolphins 1986 2; text-align:center collapsed Miami Dolphins (0–0) at San Diego Chargers (0–0) September 7 4:00 p.m. EDT Dolphins 0 14 7 7 Chargers 17 9 14 10 Jack Murphy Stadium • San Diego, California 57,726 68 F C • Wind 9 mph km/h knot Dick Jorgensen NBC Jay Randolph and Jimmy Cefalo Pro-Football-Reference.com, The Football Database Dolphins Dan Marino23/36, 290 Yds, 3 TD Lorenzo Hampton6 Rush, 26 Yds Mark Clayton5 Rec, 143 Yds, 2 TD Chargers Dan Fouts23/35, 293 Yds, 3 TD Lionel James10 Rush, 61 Yds Wes Chandler6 Rec, 78 Yds, TD MIA SD collapsed 1 10:52 Chargers RecTD Gary Anderson Dan Fouts 18 good Rolf Benirschke run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 1 2:17 Chargers FG 26 Rolf Benirschke 0 10 1 0:24 Chargers RushTD Tim Spencer 17 good Rolf Benirschke run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 17 2 12:00 Dolphins RecTD Mark Clayton Dan Marino 22 good Fuad Reveiz run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 17 2 4:02 Chargers RushTD Buford McGee 4 no good Rolf Benirschke run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 23 2 2:19 Dolphins RecTD Mark Clayton Dan Marino 49 good Fuad Reveiz run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 23 2 0:28 Chargers FG 36 Rolf Benirschke 14 26 3 9:22 Chargers RecTD Wes Chandler Dan Fouts 7 good Rolf Benirschke run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 33 3 6:47 Dolphins RecTD Nat Moore Dan Marino 6 good Fuad Reveiz run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 33 3 0:21 Chargers RecTD Pete Holohan Dan Fouts 17 good Rolf Benirschke run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 40 4 14:15 Chargers RushTD Buford McGee 4 good Rolf Benirschke run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 47 4 5:48 Chargers FG 36 Rolf Benirschke 21 50 4 0:58 Dolphins RecTD Nat Moore Dan Marino 17 good Fuad Reveiz run/pass good/failed/incomplete 28 50 28 50 Week 2 Colts 7 3 0 0 Dolphins 7 13 10 0 September 14 Orange Bowl Bob Frederic Marv Albert, Bob Griese NBC yes Q1 10:57 IND Bentley 1 yard run (Biasucci kick) IND 7–0 Q1 0:18 MIA Hampton 5 yard run (Reveiz kick) Tie 7–7 Q2 7:40 MIA Moore 4 yard pass from Marino (kick failed) MIA 13–7 Q2 5:03 MIA Pruitt 71 yard punt return (Reveiz kick) MIA 20–7 Q2 0:22 IND Biasucci 23 yard field goal MIA 20–10 Q3 10:45 MIA Hampton 21 yard run (Reveiz kick) MIA 27–10 Q3 3:31 MIA Reveiz 27 yard field goal MIA 30–10 yes The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Jan-14. Week 3 at Jets Miami Dolphins 1986 2; text-align:center collapsed Week Three: Miami Dolphins (1–1) at New York Jets (1–1) September 21 1:00 p.m. EST Dolphins 7 14 17 7 0 Jets 3 28 0 14 6 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 71,025 69 F C Pat Haggerty NBC Dick Enberg & Merlin Olsen Box Score, Box Score First quarter NYJ – Pat Leahy 32-yard field goal, 4:29. Jets 3–0. MIA – James Pruitt 6-yard pass from Dan Marino (Fuad Reveiz kick), 2:36. Dolphins 7–3. Second quarter NYJ – Johnny Hector 1-yard run (Pat Leahy kick), 12:09. Jets 10–7. NYJ – Johnny Hector 8-yard run (Pat Leahy kick), 10:00. Jets 17–7. MIA – Dan Johnson 1-yard pass from Dan Marino (Fuad Reveiz kick), 7:26. Jets 17–14. MIA – Mark Duper 13-yard pass from Dan Marino (Fuad Reveiz kick), 5:06. Dolphins 21–17. NYJ – Wesley Walker 65-yard pass from Ken O'Brien (Pat Leahy kick), 3:12. Jets 24–21. NYJ – Wesley Walker 50-yard pass from Ken O'Brien (Pat Leahy kick), 0:34. Jets 31–21. Third quarter MIA – Mark Duper 46-yard pass from Dan Marino (Fuad Reveiz kick), 10:48. Jets 31–28. MIA – Fuad Reveiz 44-yard field goal, 7:12. Tie 31–31. MIA – Bruce Hardy 1-yard pass from Dan Marino (Fuad Reveiz kick), 4:12. Dolphins 38–31. Fourth quarter NYJ – Dennis Bligen 7-yard run (Pat Leahy kick), 8:42. Tie 38–38. MIA – Mark Clayton 4-yard pass from Dan Marino (Fuad Reveiz kick), 2:56. Dolphins 45–38. NYJ – Wesley Walker 21-yard pass from Ken O'Brien (Pat Leahy kick), 0:00. Tie 45–45. Overtime NYJ – Wesley Walker 43-yard pass from Ken O'Brien, 12:25. Jets 51–45. Top passers MIA – Dan Marino – 30/50, 448 Yds, 6 TD, 2 INT NYJ – Ken O'Brien – 29/43, 479 Yds, 4 TD, INT Top rushers MIA – Tony Nathan – 4 Rush, 36 Yds NYJ – Johnny Hector – 22 Rush, 82 Yds, 2 TD Top receivers MIA – Mark Clayton – 8 Rec, 174 Yds, TD NYJ – Wesley Walker – 6 Rec, 194 Yds, 4 TD The Jets-Dolphins rivalry reached an apex in this Week 3 matchup as Ken O'Brien and Dan Marino unleashed ten combined touchdowns, the last a 43-yard score to Wesley Walker and a 51–45 overtime win for the Jets. Week 6 vs. Bills Bills 7 0 0 7 Dolphins 3 7 10 7 October 12 Miami Orange Bowl - Miami, Florida 1:00 PM EST 49,467 83 °F °C 1; wind 10 mph km/h knots Fred Wyant Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy NBC The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Jan-07. Week 11 at Bills Miami Dolphins (4-6) at Buffalo Bills (3-7) Dolphins 0 10 10 14 Bills 7 14 3 0 November 16 Rich Stadium Orchard Park, NY 1:00 PM EST 76,474 36 °F °C 1; wind 10 mph km/h knots cloudy & light rain Bob Frederic Gary Gerould and John Hannah NBC The Football Database. Retrieved 2018-Jan-07. Standings References External links 1986 Miami Dolphins at Pro-Football-Reference.com Category:Miami Dolphins seasons Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins