1996 Miami Dolphins season
| 1996 Miami Dolphins season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Jimmy Johnson |
| Owner | Wayne Huizenga |
| Home field | Pro Player Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–8 |
| Division place | 4th AFC East |
| Playoff finish | did not qualify |
The 1996 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 31st as a member of the National Football League. The Dolphins failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 9–7, winning only eight games. The team failed to qualify for the postseason.
Following the 1995 season head coach Don Shula announced his retirement from coaching, having spent 26 straight seasons with the Dolphins. Jimmy Johnson, quit Dallas after winning Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII, was hired as only the third head coach in Dolphins history.
Johnson and the Dolphins endured a rough season, winning their first three games before losing two straight. On October 27 the Dolphins hosted the Cowboys with both teams 4–3 in one of the most anticipated games of the regular season; the Cowboys rallied and won handily 29–10, and Cowboys coach Barry Switzer declared that no Dolphins player (even quarterback Dan Marino) could start on his Cowboys squad. The Dolphins won twice in the next two weeks but then lost three straight, ending any playoff hopes despite winning their final two games and finishing 8–8.
The Dolphins raced to a 24-3 lead in the third quarter, scoring twice on Patriots fumbles, then withstood a Ben Coates touchdown catch to win 24-10, the first win for Jimmy Johnson as a coach since Super Bowl XXVIII.
The Dolphins picked off Cardinals quarterbacks Kent Graham and Boomer Esiason a total of three times as they exploded to 38 points, winning 38-10.
The slumping NY Jets erupted and the ensuing game became a slugfest. Aaron Glenn picked off Dan Marino at the Jets goalline and ran back a 100-yard touchdown. Webster Slaughter then caught a 30-yard touchdown, but after that the Dolphins exploded to five straight touchdowns, marred by poor kicking by Joe Nedney, who missed a point after and a field goal. The Jets rallied from down 33-14, highlighted by a 29-yard touchdown catch by Keyshawn Johnson on 4th and goal at the 29; Keyshawn outjumped the entire Dolphins defense for the catch. Nedney then put the game out of reach on a 29-yard field goal in the final minutes and the Dolphins won 36-27.
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