Game summaries
Week 1
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Raiders |
0 |
10 | 7 | 6 |
23 |
| Dolphins |
7 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
14 |
- Date: September 2
- Location: Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
- Game start: 8:00 p.m.
- Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), wind 6 mph
|
|
|
Close
The Dolphins' regular season debut was a home game against the Oakland Raiders on Friday night, September 2; Miami running back Joe Auer returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.[7][11] An extra point kick by Gene Mingo allowed the Dolphins to lead 7–0 barely into the start of the game. Miami was unable to retain the lead, however, with the Raiders scoring a field goal in the second quarter and two touchdowns (one each in the second and third quarters) – a total of 17 points. In the fourth quarter, the Dolphins narrowed the score with a touchdown reception from Rick Norton to Rick Casares. However, Oakland responded with another touchdown – a 16 yard pass to Tom Mitchell from Tom Flores. The game ended with a 23–14 loss for Miami.[11]
Week 2
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Jets |
9 |
0 | 10 | 0 |
19 |
| Dolphins |
0 |
0 | 0 | 14 |
14 |
- Date: September 9
- Location: Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
- Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), wind 10 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | | NYJ | Safety Rick Norton tackled in the end zone | New York 2–0 |
| | 1 | | NYJ | George Sauer, Jr. 20 yard pass from Mike Taliaferro (Jim Turner kick) | New York 9–0 |
| | 3 | | NYJ | Bill Mathis 4 yard rush (Jim Turner Kick) | New York 16–0 |
| | 3 | | NYJ | Jim Turner 45 yard field goal | New York 19–0 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Dave Kocourek 43 yard pass from Rick Norton (Gene Mingo kick) | New York 19–7 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Pete Jaquess 27 yard interception return (Gene Mingo kick) | New York 19–14 |
|
Close
In their first ever intradivisional game, the Dolphins played against the AFL Eastern Division rival New York Jets at the Orange Bowl on Friday night, September 9.[12] Miami trailed the entire game, with the Jets scoring a safety (by tackling Rick Norton in the end zone) and a touchdown in the first quarter. New York added a field goal and a touchdown in the third quarter, while holding Miami scoreless until the fourth quarter. By then, the Dolphins scored a touchdown – a 43-yard reception from Norton to Dave Kocourek.[13] Later in the quarter, Jets quarterback Joe Namath was intercepted by defensive back Pete Jaquess, who returned the ball 27 yards for another touchdown. However, Miami was unable to complete a comeback and lost 19–14.[12][14]
Week 3
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins |
3 |
7 | 0 | 14 |
24 |
| • Bills |
21 |
27 | 3 | 7 |
58 |
- Date: September 18
- Location: War Memorial Stadium, Buffalo, New York
- Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), wind 3 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | | BUF | Jack Kemp 1 yard rush (Booth Lusteg) | Buffalo 7–0 |
| | 1 | | BUF | Butch Byrd 60 yard interception return (Booth Lusteg kick) | Buffalo 14–0 |
| | 1 | | BUF | Butch Byrd 72 yard punt return (Booth Lusteg kick) | Buffalo 21–0 |
| | 1 | | MIA | Gene Mingo 24 yard field goal | Buffalo 21–3 |
| | 2 | | BUF | Bobby Crockett 26 yard pass from Jack Kemp (Booth Lusteg kick) | Buffalo 28–3 |
| | 2 | | BUF | Bobby Burnett 1 yard rush (Booth Lusteg kick) | Buffalo 35–3 |
| | 2 | | BUF | Bobby Burnett 3 yard rush (Booth Lustef missed extra point kick) | Buffalo 41–3 |
| | 2 | | MIA | John Roderick 4 yard pass from George Wilson (Gene Mingo kick) | Buffalo 41–10 |
| | 2 | | BUF | Jack Spikes 11 yard rush (Booth Lusteg kick) | Buffalo 48–10 |
| | 3 | | BUF | Booth Lusteg 13 yard field goal | Buffalo 51–10 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Bo Roberson 66 yard pass from George Wilson (Gene Mingo kick) | Buffalo 51–17 |
| | 4 | | BUF | Jack Spikes 18 yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (Booth Lusteg kick) | Buffalo 58–17 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Dave Kocourek 13 yard pass from George Wilson (Gene Mingo kick) | Buffalo 58–24 |
|
Close
For their first division rivalry game against the Buffalo Bills on September 18, Miami traveled to the War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo. The Bills dominated the Dolphins throughout the game. In the first quarter, the Buffalo scored three touchdown before Miami kicked a field goal. The Bills then added four touchdowns in the second quarter, versus one by the Dolphins. After the first half, the score was 48–10 in favor of the Bills. The only score in the third quarter was a field goal by Booth Lusteg of Buffalo. Three touchdowns were scored in the fourth quarter, two for Miami and one for Buffalo. The Bills defeated the Dolphins by a score of 58–24,[15] which remains one of the worst losses by Miami in the history of the Bills–Dolphins rivalry.[16]
Week 5
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins |
3 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
10 |
| • Chargers |
0 |
6 | 10 | 28 |
44 |
- Date: October 2
- Location: Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California
- Game attendance: 26,444
- Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), wind 9 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | | MIA | Gene Mingo 27 yard field goal | Miami 3–0 |
| | 2 | | MIA | Karl Noonan 20 yard pass from Dick Wood (Gene Mingo kick) | Miami 10–0 |
| | 2 | | SAN | Rick Redman 58 yard fumble return (Dick Van Raaphorst missed extra point kick) | Miami 10–6 |
| | 3 | | SAN | Dick Van Raaphorst 9 yard field goal | Miami 10–9 |
| | 3 | | SAN | Gene Foster 25 yard pass from Steve Tensi (Dick Van Raaphorst kick) | San Diego 16–10 |
| | 4 | | SAN | Lance Alworth 44 yard pass from Steve Tensi (Dick Van Raaphorst kick) | San Diego 23–10 |
| | 4 | | SAN | Gene Foster 63 yard pass from Steve Tensi (Dick Van Raaphorst kick) | San Diego 30–10 |
| | 4 | | SAN | Lance Alworth 36 yard pass from Steve Tensi (Dick Van Raaphorst kick) | San Diego 37–10 |
| | 4 | | SAN | Willie Frazier 30 yard pass from Steve Tensi (Dick Van Raaphorst kick) | San Diego 44–10 |
|
Close
Coming off their first bye week, the Miami Dolphins traveled to Balboa Stadium in San Diego in week 5 in search for their first win. The Dolphins began the game with a 10 point lead – a field goal by Gene Mingo and a Karl Noonan touchdown via a 20 yard pass from Dick Wood. However, the Chargers took the lead in the third quarter following two touchdowns and a field goal, with a score of 16–10 as the quarter ended. In the fourth quarter, San Diego put the game away and delivered another blowout for Miami, scoring four touchdowns (28 points), while preventing the Dolphins from receiving additional points. The game ended with a score of 44–10 in favor of the Chargers. The Dolphins win–loss record fell to 0–4.[17]
Week 6
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins |
3 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
10 |
| • Raiders |
0 |
14 | 0 | 7 |
21 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | | MIA | Gene Mingo 47 yard field goal | Miami 3–0 |
| | 2 | | OAK | Art Powell 25 yard pass from Tom Flores (Mike Eischeid kick) | Oakland 7–3 |
| | 2 | | MIA | Joe Auer 3 yard rush (Gene Mingo kick) | Miami 10–7 |
| | 2 | | OAK | Roger Hagberg 24 yard pass from Tom Flores (Mike Eischeid kick) | Oakland 14–10 |
| | 4 | | OAK | Fred Biletnikoff 4 yard pass from Tom Flores (Mike Eischeid kick) | Oakland 21–10 |
|
Close
In a second game against the Oakland Raiders on October 9, the Miami Dolphins traveled to the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum. Miami took the lead in the first quarter, with a 47 yard field goal by Gene Mingo. In the second quarter, Oakland took the lead after a touchdown, while Miami re-took the lead with a touchdown of their own. However, before the end of the second quarter, Oakland again re-took the lead with another touchdown. The first half of the game ended with a score of 14–10 in favor of the Raiders. Neither team received additional points in the third quarter. Oakland put the game away in the fourth quarter by scoring another touchdown. The match ended with a 21–10 loss for Miami.[18]
Week 7
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Broncos |
7 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
| • Dolphins |
10 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
24 |
- Date: October 16
- Location: Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
- Game attendance: 22,191
- Game weather: 77 °F (25 °C), wind 9 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | | MIA | Billy Joe 67 yard pass from George Wilson (Gene Mingo kick) | Miami 7–0 |
| | 1 | | MIA | Gene Mingo 35 yard field goal | Miami 10–0 |
| | 1 | | DEN | Abner Haynes 5 yard rush (Gary Kroner kick) | Miami 10–7 |
| | 3 | | MIA | Joe Auer 1 yard rush (Gene Mingo kick) | Miami 17–10 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Joe Auer 3 yard rush (Gene Mingo kick) | Miami 24–7 |
|
Close
After being on the road since week 3, the Miami Dolphins returned home in week 7 for a contest against the Denver Broncos on October 16. Miami scored a touchdown and field goal in the first quarter, with a 67 yard pass from George Wilson to Billy Joe and a Gene Mingo field goal. The Broncos scored a touchdown later in the first quarter. Subsequently, the Dolphins scored one touchdown each in the third and fourth quarters – 1 yard and 3 yard rushes by Joe Auer, respectively. However, Denver was unable to earn additional points following the first quarter. As a result, the Miami Dolphins won the game by a score of 24–7. This was the first win by the franchise and raised their win–loss record to 1–5.[19]
Week 8
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Dolphins |
7 |
7 | 3 | 3 |
20 |
| Oilers |
0 |
3 | 10 | 0 |
13 |
- Date: October 23
- Location: Rice Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Game attendance: 21,999
- Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), wind 5 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | | MIA | Bo Roberson 80 yard pass from George Wilson (Gene Mingo kick) | Miami 7–0 |
| | 2 | | HOU | George Blanda 16 yard field goal | Miami 7–3 |
| | 2 | | MIA | Cookie Gilchrist 13 yard pass from George Wilson (Gene Mingo kick) | Miami 14–3 |
| | 3 | | HOU | George Blanda 43 yard field goal | Miami 14–6 |
| | 3 | | MIA | Gene Mingo 43 yard field goal | Miami 17–6 |
| | 3 | | HOU | Ode Burrell 13 yard pass from George Blanda (George Blanda kick) | Miami 17–13 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Gene Mingo 42 yard field goal | Miami 20–13 |
|
Close
The Dolphins returned to the road again in week 8, traveling to Rice Stadium to take on the Houston Oilers on October 23. Miami scored first with a touchdown in the first quarter – an 80 yard reception from George Wilson to Bo Roberson. George Blanda of the Oilers kicked a field goal in the second quarter, but the Dolphins responded with another touchdown. In the third quarter, Blanda kicked another field goal, but Gene Mingo of the Dolphins also scored a field goal. Houston finally reached the endzone later in the third quarter to narrow the match to a 4-point game. However, Mingo kicked another field goal in the fourth quarter, ending the game with a 20–13 win for Miami. The Dolphins improved to 2–5.[20]
Week 10
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bills |
0 |
10 | 10 | 9 |
29 |
| Dolphins |
0 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
- Date: November 6
- Location: Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
- Game attendance: 36,685
- Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C), wind 16 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 2 | | BUF | Bobby Burnett 16 yard pass from Jack Kemp (Booth Lusteg) | Buffalo 7–0 |
| | 2 | | BUF | Booth Lusteg 44 yard field goal | Buffalo 10–0 |
| | 3 | | BUF | Booth Lusteg 44 yard field goal | Buffalo 13–0 |
| | 3 | | BUF | Bobby Burnett 3 yard rush (Booth Lusteg kick) | Buffalo 20–0 |
| | 4 | | BUF | Paul Costa 4 yard pass from Jack Kemp (Booth Lusteg kick) | Buffalo 27–0 |
| | 4 | | BUF | Safety, Marty Schottenheimer blocked punt | Buffalo 29–0 |
|
Close
After the second bye week, Miami returned home for another game against the Buffalo Bills on November 6. As during week 3, the Bills again dominated the match. After neither club scored in the first quarter, Buffalo scored a touchdown and a field goal in both the second and third quarters. In the fourth quarter, the Bills scored a third touchdown. Later, Buffalo received two points from a safety after Marty Schottenheimer blocked a punt. Miami was unable to score points throughout the game and lost 29–0, their first regular season shutout loss. The Dolphins fell to 2–6.[21]
Week 11
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins |
0 |
10 | 0 | 6 |
16 |
| • Chiefs |
17 |
14 | 3 | 0 |
34 |
- Date: November 13
- Location: Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Game attendance: 33,733
- Game weather: 45 °F (7 °C), wind 6 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | | KC | Bert Coan 1 yard rush (Mike Mercer kick) | Kansas City 7–0 |
| | 1 | | KC | Mike Mercer 22 yard field goal | Kansas City 10–0 |
| | 1 | | KC | Fred Arbanas 26 yard pass from Len Dawson (Mike Mercer kick) | Kansas City 17–0 |
| | 2 | | KC | Otis Taylor 89 yard pass from Len Dawson (Mike Mercer missed extra point kick) | Kansas City 23–0 |
| | 2 | | MIA | Gene Mingo 28 yard field foal | Kansas City 23–3 |
| | 2 | | MIA | Jimmy Warren 70 yard interception return (Gene Mingo kick) | Kansas City 23–10 |
| | 2 | | KC | Chris Burford 35 yard pass from Len Lawson (two point conversion) | Kansas City 31–10 |
| | 3 | | KC | Mike Mercer 19 yard field goal | Kansas City 34–10 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Joe Auer 1 yard rush (two point conversion failed) | Kansas City 34–16 |
|
Close
In the following week, the Dolphins traveled to Municipal Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Miami was quickly overtaken. Kansas City reached a 23 point lead – three touchdowns (one missed extra point) and one field goal – before the Dolphins finally scored a field goal in the second quarter. Miami followed up with a touchdown, but Kansas City scored another touchdown before the end of the quarter. In the third quarter, the Chiefs added another field goal to their score. The Dolphins scored another touchdown in the fourth quarter, but the team fell well short of making a comeback. The game ended with a 34–16 loss for Miami, with their record falling to 2–7.[22]
Week 12
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins |
6 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
13 |
| • Jets |
0 |
10 | 13 | 7 |
30 |
- Date: November 20
- Location: Shea Stadium, New York City, New York
- Game attendance: 57,092
- Game weather: 36 °F (2 °C) (27 °F (−3 °C) wind chill), wind 16 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | | MIA | Gene Mingo 31 yard field goal | Miami 3–0 |
| | 1 | | MIA | Gene Mingo 20 field goal | Miami 6–0 |
| | 2 | | NYJ | Emerson Boozer 1 yard rush (Jim Turner kick) | New York 7–6 |
| | 2 | | NYJ | Jim Turner 10 yard field goal | New York 10–6 |
| | 3 | | NYJ | Emerson Boozer 96 yard kickoff return | New York 17–6 |
| | 3 | | NYJ | Jim Turner 26 yard field goal | New York 20–6 |
| | 3 | | NYJ | Jim Turner 18 yard field goal | New York 23–6 |
| | 4 | | NYJ | Joe Auer 11 yard pass from Dick Wood (Gene Mingo kick) | New York 23–13 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Mark Smolinski 1 yard rush (Jim Turner kick) | New York 30–13 |
|
Close
During week 12, the Dolphins traveled to Shea Stadium in New York City for their second match-up against the Jets on November 20. Miami built a six point lead in the first quarter with two field goals by Gene Mingo. However, they would not maintain their lead. In the second quarter, the Jets scored a touchdown and a field goal, before adding another touchdown and two additional field goals in the third quarter. Miami, down 23–6 at the close of the third quarter, finally scored again with a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Dolphins were unable to overcome the deficit, and New York scored another touchdown before the end of regulation. The game ended with a 30–13 loss for Miami, dropping their record to 2–8.[23]
Week 13
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Patriots |
0 |
10 | 10 | 0 |
20 |
| Dolphins |
0 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
14 |
- Date: November 27
- Location: Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
- Game attendance: 22,480
- Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), wind 6 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 2 | | BP | Art Graham 22 yard pass from Babe Parilli (Gino Cappelletti kick) | Boston 7–0 |
| | 2 | | BP | Gino Cappelletti 32 yard field goal | Boston 10–0 |
| | 2 | | BP | Gino Cappelletti 49 yard field goal | Boston 13–0 |
| | 3 | | BP | Jim Nance 27 yard rush (Gino Capelletti kick) | Boston 20–0 |
| | 3 | | MIA | Frank Jackson 32 yard pass from Dick Wood (Gene Mingo kick) | Boston 20–7 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Joe Auer 38 yard pass from Dick Wood (Gene Mingo kick) | Boston 20–14 |
|
Close
In their first game against the division rival Boston Patriots, the Dolphins hosted the Patriots at the Orange Bowl on November 27. After neither team scored in the first quarter, the Patriots scored twice in the first quarter, with a touchdown pass from Babe Parilli to Art Graham and then a 32-yard field goal by Gino Cappelletti. The first half of the game closed with a 13-0 lead for Boston. A rushing touchdown by Jim Nance allowed the Patriots to increase their lead to 20-0. Later in the third quarter, the Dolphins finally scored with a 32-yard pass from Dick Wood to Frank Jackson. In the fourth quarter, another Miami touchdown pass from Wood to Joe Auer for 38 yards further reduced the Patriots lead to 20-14. However, with no additional scores by either team, the game ended with a 20-14 loss for the Miami Dolphins, causing them to fall to 2-9.[24]
Week 14
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins |
0 |
7 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
| • Broncos |
0 |
10 | 7 | 0 |
17 |
- Date: December 4
- Location: Bears Stadium, Denver, Colorado
- Game attendance: 32,116
- Game weather: 32 °F (0 °C) (28 °F (−2 °C) wind chill), wind 4 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 2 | | DEN | Gary Kroner 28 yard field goal | Denver 3–0 |
| | 2 | | MIA | Tom Erlandson 26 yard interception return (Gene Mingo kick) | Miami 7–3 |
| | 2 | | DEN | Max Choboian 1 yard rush (Gary Kroner kick) | Denver 10–7 |
| | 3 | | DEN | Charley Mitchell 79 yard pass from Max Choboian (Gary Kroner kick) | Denver 17–7 |
|
Close
For week 14, the Dolphins traveled to Bears Stadium in Denver for another game against the Broncos on December 4. The game was a low-scoring affair. After neither team scored in the first quarter, Denver put points on the board with a Gary Kroner field goal, before Miami countered with Tom Erlandson scoring a touchdown after returning an interception 26 yards. However, the Broncos responded with a touchdown before the end of the second quarter. Denver scored another touchdown in the third quarter. Following that, neither Miami nor Denver any additional points in the third or fourth quarter. The game ended with a 17–7 loss for Miami, dropping their record to 2–10.[25]
Week 15
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Chiefs |
3 |
3 | 0 | 13 |
19 |
| Dolphins |
0 |
11 | 0 | 7 |
18 |
- Date: December 11
- Location: Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
- Game attendance: 17,881
- Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C), wind 9 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | | KC | Mike Mercer 37 yard field goal | Kansas City 3–0 |
| | 2 | | KC | Mike Mercer 13 yard field goal | Kansas City 6–0 |
| | 2 | | MIA | Gene Mingo 35 yard field goal | Kansas City 6–3 |
| | 2 | | MIA | Dick Westmoreland 39 yard interception return (two point conversion) | Miami 11–6 |
| | 4 | | KC | Curtis McClinton 49 yard rush (Mike Mercer kick) | Kansas City 13–11 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Dick Wood 7 yard rush (Gene Mingo kick) | Miami 18–13 |
| | 4 | | KC | Chris Burford 25 yard pass from Len Dawson (two point conversion failed) | Kansas City 19–18 |
|
Close
Miami returned home for their second match against Kansas City on December 11. The Chiefs opened up with two Mike Mercer field goals, with one each in the first and second quarters. Later in the second quarter, the Dolphins scored a field goal and a touchdown (with a 2-point conversion) to close the first half 11–6. After no scores in the third quarter, Kansas City was the first team to put more points on the board with a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Miami then scored another touchdown to take the lead in the fourth quarter. However, the Chiefs countered with a touchdown before the game ended. Miami lost by a score of 19–18.[26]
Week 16
More information Total, Scoring summary ...
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers |
7 |
14 | 0 | 7 |
28 |
| • Dolphins |
0 |
8 | 7 | 14 |
29 |
- Date: December 18
- Location: Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
- Game attendance: 19,274
- Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), wind 10 mph
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|---|
| | 1 | | HOU | Hoyle Granger 27 yard pass from Don Trull (George Blanda kick) | Houston 7–0 |
| | 2 | | HOU | Larry Elkins 11 yard pass from Don Trull (George Blanda kick) | Houston 14–0 |
| | 2 | | MIA | Joe Auer 27 yard pass from John Stofa (two point conversion) | Houston 14–8 |
| | 2 | | HOU | Bob McLeod 2 yard pass from Don Trull (George Blanda kick) | Houston 21–8 |
| | 3 | | MIA | Frank Jackson 48 yard pass from John Stofa (Gene Mingo kick) | Houston 21–15 |
| | 4 | | HOU | Don Trull 1 yard rush (George Blanda kick) | Houston 28–15 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Bill Cronin 4 yard pass from John Stofa (Gene Mingo kick) | Houston 28–22 |
| | 4 | | MIA | Joe Auer 14 yard pass from John Stofa (Gene Mingo kick) | Miami 29–28 |
|
Close
In the final game of their inaugural season, the Dolphins hosted the Oilers at the Orange Bowl on December 18. The Oilers mounted a 14-0 lead before the Dolphins scored – a 27-yard pass from Don Trull to Hoyle Granger in the first quarter and an 11-yard pass from Trull to Larry Elkins. Miami then responded with a 27-yard pass from John Stofa to Joe Auer and a successful 2-point conversion. Houston added seven more points with a 2-yard pass from Trull to Bob McLeod. By the end of the first half of the game, the Oilers led by 21-8. The third quarter saw a 48-yard touchdown pass from Stofa to Frank Jackson, cutting the Oilers' lead to 21-15. In the fourth quarter, Houston scored again with a 1-yard rush from Trull. The Dolphins scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, via a 4-yard pass from Stofa to Bill Cronin and a 14-yard pass from Stofa to Auer. With no further scores by either team, the game ended with a 29-28 win for the Miami Dolphins. Miami ended their season with a win–loss record of 3-11.[27]
