On December 24, 2000, the Miami Dolphins staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the New England Patriots 27-24 at Foxboro Stadium. This victory secured the Dolphins the AFC East title, a significant achievement following the retirements of legendary quarterback Dan Marino and head coach Jimmy Johnson at the end of the previous season.
Entering the game with a record of 10-5, the Dolphins faced a struggling Patriots team that had only won five games all season. Miami’s path to victory was arduous, as they fell behind by as many as 11 points early in the match and trailed 24-17 heading into the fourth quarter. The turning point came with a strategic defensive play by Derrick Rodgers, who stripped New England tight end Jermaine Wiggins of the ball during a critical third-quarter drive, resulting in a touchback for Miami.
As the final quarter began, Dolphins kicker Olindo Mare missed a field goal that could have narrowed the gap to four points. However, the Dolphins’ offense rallied, culminating in an 11-play, 65-yard drive that consumed over five minutes of clock time. Quarterback Jay Fiedler showcased his composure, successfully converting two third-down attempts, including a critical 3rd-and-15 pass to O.J. McDuffie. The drive concluded with a 1-yard touchdown run by Lamar Smith, leveling the score at 24.
The Patriots responded with a strong offensive effort, but Miami’s defense, led by linebacker Zach Thomas, made a pivotal play. As quarterback Drew Bledsoe targeted receiver Troy Brown, cornerback Terrell Buckley deflected the pass, allowing Thomas to intercept it. This turnover provided Miami with excellent field position, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
During the final drive, Fiedler completed six of eight passes, including key connections on 3rd-and-9 and 3rd-and-5. Although the drive stalled, Mare redeemed himself with a clutch 49-yard field goal, giving the Dolphins a 27-24 lead with just nine seconds remaining.
The conclusion of the game was anything but straightforward. After Jason Taylor seemingly sealed the victory by stripping Bledsoe on what appeared to be the final play, the Dolphins celebrated prematurely. A video review determined that Bledsoe’s arm was in motion, ruling the play an incomplete pass and leaving three seconds on the clock. With backup quarterback Michael Bishop at the helm, the Patriots’ final pass fell short, and the Dolphins were officially crowned AFC East champions.
Despite being limited to just 47 rushing yards, Fiedler completed 30 of 45 passes for 264 yards, including a touchdown to Hunter Goodwin. The Dolphins were outgained by the Patriots, who amassed 348 total yards to Miami’s 310, but the Dolphins capitalized on New England’s three turnovers, while not committing any themselves. Bledsoe threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns but also faced two interceptions, one from Taylor, while Rodgers recorded 12 tackles and the crucial forced fumble.
This victory marked the first AFC East championship for head coach Dave Wannstedt in his inaugural season with the Dolphins. As the team celebrated a quarter-century since that memorable game, fans and players alike were reminded of the resilience and determination that defined the 2000 Dolphins, an unlikely contender that overcame adversity to reach the pinnacle of their division.
