# 1984 Miami Dolphins season

The 1984 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 19th season, and 15th in the National Football League (NFL). It was also the 15th season with the team for head coach Don Shula. The Dolphins sought to build on a spectacular 1983 season where they went 12–4 with rookie quarterback Dan Marino.
The Dolphins won the 1984 AFC Championship, and appeared in Super Bowl XIX, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 38–16. To date this is the last season the Dolphins appeared in the Super Bowl.
Second year quarterback Dan Marino's passing ability became the focal point of Miami's offense and in 1984 he exploded to set league records with 5,084 passing yards and 48 touchdowns. Marino's touchdown record was broken by Peyton Manning twenty years later and the yardage record was broken by Drew Brees twenty-seven years later. The Dolphins attempted early on to make a run at a perfect season twelve years after pulling off the feat, as they won their first eleven games but were upended in overtime by the San Diego Chargers. The Dolphins scored more than 500 points for the first and to date only time in their history, as they scored 513 points and finished 14–2, their best record since the undefeated season.
The year began on a somber note, as running back David Overstreet was killed in a traffic collision in June. The Dolphins wore helmet decals with the number 20 (his jersey number) in his memory during this season.
NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled Movers, Shakers and Record Breakers; it was narrated by Brad Crandall.
After the season, the last remaining Dolphin from their Super Bowl VIII team, longtime offensive lineman Ed Newman, retired, ending a 12-year era for the team. He holds the unique distinction as being the only man to make it to Super Bowl VIII and Super Bowl XIX as a member of the Dolphins, as well as Super Bowl XVII in between.

## Offseason
### Draft

1984 Miami Dolphins draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
| 1 | 14 | Jackie Shipp | ILB | Oklahoma | |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

### Undrafted free agents

1984 Undrafted Free Agents of note :
| Player | Position | College |
| Al Del Greco | Kicker | Auburn |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | September 2 | at Washington Redskins | W 35–17 | 1–0 | RFK Stadium | 52,683 |
| 2 | September 9 | New England Patriots | W 28–7 | 2–0 | Miami Orange Bowl | 66,083 |
| 3 | September 17 | at Buffalo Bills | W 21–17 | 3–0 | Rich Stadium | 65,455 |
| 4 | September 23 | Indianapolis Colts | W 44–7 | 4–0 | Miami Orange Bowl | 55,415 |
| 5 | September 30 | at St. Louis Cardinals | W 36–28 | 5–0 | Busch Memorial Stadium | 46,991 |
| 6 | October 7 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | W 31–7 | 6–0 | Three Rivers Stadium | 59,103 |
| 7 | October 14 | Houston Oilers | W 28–10 | 7–0 | Miami Orange Bowl | 54,080 |
| 8 | October 21 | at New England Patriots | W 44–24 | 8–0 | Sullivan Stadium | 60,711 |
| 9 | October 28 | Buffalo Bills | W 38–7 | 9–0 | Miami Orange Bowl | 58,824 |
| 10 | November 4 | at New York Jets | W 31–17 | 10–0 | Giants Stadium | 72,655 |
| 11 | November 11 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 24–23 | 11–0 | Miami Orange Bowl | 70,227 |
| 12 | November 18 | at San Diego Chargers | L 28–34 (OT) | 11–1 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 53,041 |
| 13 | November 26 | New York Jets | W 28–17 | 12–1 | Miami Orange Bowl | 74,884 |
| 14 | December 2 | Los Angeles Raiders | L 34–45 | 12–2 | Miami Orange Bowl | 71,222 |
| 15 | December 9 | at Indianapolis Colts | W 35–17 | 13–2 | Hoosier Dome | 60,411 |
| 16 | December 17 | Dallas Cowboys | W 28–21 | 14–2 | Miami Orange Bowl | 74,139 |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

### Season summary
#### Week 1 (Sunday, September 2, 1984): at Washington Redskins

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins (1–0) | 7 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 35 |
| Redskins (0–1) | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.
* Date: September 2, 1984
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C); relative humidity 62%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
* Game attendance: 52,683
* Referee: Bob McElwee
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| MIA | Passing | Dan Marino | 21/28, 311 YDS, 5 TDs |
| MIA | Rushing | Andra Franklin | 13 CAR, 48 YDS |
| MIA | Receiving | Mark Duper | 6 REC, 178 YDS, 2 TDs |
| WSH | Passing | Joe Theismann | 21/36, 204 YDS, 2 INTs |
| WSH | Rushing | John Riggins | 15 CAR, 98 YDS, 1 TD |
| WSH | Receiving | Charlie Brown | 6 REC, 60 YDS |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MIA | WSH |
| 1 | 1:44 | 6 | 69 | 3:20 | Dolphins | Duper 26-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | 11:12 | 10 | 80 | 5:32 | Redskins | Riggins 1-yard touchdown run, Moseley kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | 3:13 | 11 | 71 | 5:44 | Redskins | 32-yard field goal by Moseley | 7 | 10 |
| 2 | 2:06 | 3 | 82 | 1:07 | Dolphins | Duper 74-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 14 | 10 |
| 3 | 11:13 | 7 | 68 | 3:47 | Dolphins | Jensen 6-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 21 | 10 |
| 3 | 5:52 | 6 | 43 | 3:48 | Dolphins | Clayton 9-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 28 | 10 |
| 3 | 3:10 | 3 | 7 | 1:25 | Dolphins | Jensen 4-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 35 | 10 |
| 4 | 7:16 | 6 | 49 | 2:57 | Redskins | Washington 4-yard touchdown run, Moseley kick good | 35 | 17 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 35 | 17 |
* Point spread: Redskins by 4½
* Over/Under: 46.0 (over)
* Time of Game: 2 hours, 45 minutes
| Dolphins | Game Statistics | Redskins |
| 18 | First downs | 23 |
| 30–86 | Rushes–yards | 29–156 |
| 311 | Passing yards | 204 |
| 21–28–0 | Passes | 21–36–2 |
| 0–0 | Sacked–yards | 2–11 |
| 311 | Net passing yards | 193 |
| 397 | Total yards | 349 |
| 152 | Return yards | 148 |
| 5–45.8 | Punts | 4–43.8 |
| 0–0 | Fumbles–lost | 1–1 |
| 4–45 | Penalties–yards | 3–20 |
| 28:48 | Time of Possession | 31:12 |
Dan Marino had one of the best passing days of his career, completing 21 of 28 passes for 311 yards with 5 TDs and no interceptions for a Passer Rating of 150.4. This game also marked the emergence of Jim "Crash" Jensen, who lined up as a receiver for the first time and caught 2 of Marino's TD passes. Until 2015, this was the Dolphins' last road win over the Redskins.

#### Week 2 (Sunday, September 9, 1984): vs. New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots (1–1) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Dolphins (2–0) | 0 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 28 |
at Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, Florida
* Date: September 9, 1984
* Game time: 1:02 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C); relative humidity 65%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
* Game attendance: 66,083
* Referee: Chuck Heberling
* TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| NE | Passing | Steve Grogan | 20/42, 217 YDS, 1 TD, 4 INTs |
| NE | Rushing | Tony Collins | 20 CAR, 87 YDS |
| NE | Receiving | Derrick Ramsey | 5 REC, 70 YDS |
| MIA | Passing | Dan Marino | 17/28, 269 YDS, 3 TDs, 2 INTs |
| MIA | Rushing | Tony Nathan | 10 CAR, 36 YDS |
| MIA | Receiving | Mark Clayton | 5 REC, 75 YDS, 2 TDs |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | NE | MIA |
| 2 | 5:37 | 2 | 55 | 0:16 | Dolphins | Duper 35-yard touchdown reception from Jensen, von Schamann kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 0:56 | 10 | 90 | 4:31 | Patriots | Dawson 5-yard touchdown reception from Grogan, Franklin kick good | 7 | 7 |
| 3 | 12:38 | 4 | 73 | 2:22 | Dolphins | Clayton 35-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 7 | 14 |
| 3 | 11:02 | 2 | 16 | 0:43 | Dolphins | Clayton 15-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 7 | 21 |
| 4 | 2:53 | — | — | — | Dolphins | Interception returned 60 yards for touchdown by Judson, von Schamann kick good | 7 | 28 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 7 | 28 |
* Point spread: Dolphins by 6
* Over/Under: 43.0 (under)
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 3 minutes
| Patriots | Game Statistics | Dolphins |
| 18 | First downs | 17 |
| 28–127 | Rushes–yards | 30–74 |
| 217 | Passing yards | 269 |
| 20–42–4 | Passes | 17–28–2 |
| 2–12 | Sacked–yards | 0–0 |
| 205 | Net passing yards | 269 |
| 332 | Total yards | 343 |
| 74 | Return yards | 183 |
| 8–39.6 | Punts | 5–41.6 |
| 2–1 | Fumbles–lost | 0–0 |
| 6–53 | Penalties–yards | 6–46 |
| 30:46 | Time of Possession | 29:14 |
Dan Marino increased his two-game total of seven touchdown passes as he tossed a pair of scoring strikes to Mark Clayton within a 1:36 span in the third quarter to lead Miami to its 17th straight victory against the Patriots at The Orange Bowl. Miami intercepted four Steve Grogan passes. Mike Kozlowski returned one 26 yards, then laterred to William Judson who rambled the remaining 60 yards for a touchdown.

#### Week 3 (Monday, September 17, 1984): at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins (3–0) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Bills (0–3) | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at Rich Stadium • Orchard Park, New York
* Date: September 17, 1984
* Game time: 9:01 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C); wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
* Game attendance: 65,455
* Referee: Bob Frederic
* TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play) and O. J. Simpson (color commentator)
| Team | Category |
| MIA | Passing |
| MIA | Rushing |
| MIA | Receiving |
| BUF | Passing |
| BUF | Rushing |
| BUF | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MIA | BUF |
| 1 | 2:09 | 8 | 62 | 5:13 | Dolphins | Duper 11-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 7 | 0 |
| 2 | 5:04 | 9 | 52 | 4:20 | Dolphins | Clayton 12-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 14 | 0 |
| 2 | 0:05 | 5 | 18 | 1:11 | Bills | 33-yard field goal by Danelo | 14 | 3 |
| 3 | 11:27 | 9 | 57 | 3:21 | Dolphins | Moore 1-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 21 | 3 |
| 3 | 3:57 | 15 | 80 | 6:30 | Bills | Williams 1-yard touchdown run, Danelo kick good | 21 | 10 |
| 4 | 9:20 | 9 | 79 | 3:43 | Bills | Dawkins 13-yard touchdown reception from Ferguson, Danelo kick good | 21 | 17 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 21 | 17 |
* Point spread:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 15 minutes
* Game Statistics
* First downs
* Rushes–yards
* Passing yards
* Passes
* Sacked–yards
* Net passing yards
* Total yards
* Return yards
* Punts
* Fumbles–lost
* Penalties–yards
* Time of Possession

#### Week 4

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Colts | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| • Dolphins | 7 | 16 | 14 | 7 | 44 |

#### Week 5

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Dolphins | 6 | 20 | 0 | 10 | 36 |
| Cardinals | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |

#### Week 6

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Dolphins | 0 | 21 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
| Steelers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |

#### Week 7

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Oilers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| • Dolphins | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 |

#### Week 8 (Sunday, October 21, 1984): at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins (8–0) | 3 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 44 |
| Patriots (5–3) | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
at Sullivan Stadium • Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: October 21, 1984
* Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C); relative humidity 53%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
* Game attendance: 60,711
* Referee: Jim Tunney
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| MIA | Passing | Dan Marino | 24/39, 316 YDS, 4 TDs, 1 INT |
| MIA | Rushing | Joe Carter | 14 CAR, 92 YDS |
| MIA | Receiving | Mark Clayton | 7 REC, 99 YDS, 1 TD |
| NE | Passing | Tony Eason | 19/29, 313 YDS, 3 TDs |
| NE | Rushing | Mosi Tatupu | 20 CAR, 90 YDS |
| NE | Receiving | Derrick Ramsey | 5 REC, 32 YDS, 1 TD |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MIA | NE |
| 1 | 8:33 | 13 | 74 | 3:55 | Dolphins | 28-yard field goal by von Schamann | 3 | 0 |
| 1 | 2:33 | 12 | 49 | 5:54 | Patriots | 48-yard field goal by Franklin | 3 | 3 |
| 2 | 14:32 | 7 | 65 | 2:51 | Dolphins | Johnson 1-yard touchdown run, von Schamann kick good | 10 | 3 |
| 2 | 1:55 | 8 | 66 | 4:03 | Patriots | Weathers 14-yard touchdown reception from Eason, Franklin kick good | 10 | 10 |
| 2 | 0:06 | 11 | 80 | 1:49 | Dolphins | Moore 19-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick no good | 16 | 10 |
| 3 | 6:40 | 13 | 80 | 8:20 | Dolphins | Johnson 5-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 23 | 10 |
| 3 | 6:22 | 1 | 76 | 0:18 | Patriots | Morgan 76-yard touchdown reception from Eason, Franklin kick good | 23 | 17 |
| 3 | 2:31 | 7 | 75 | 2:51 | Dolphins | Clayton 15-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 30 | 17 |
| 4 | 11:27 | 12 | 61 | 7:04 | Patriots | Ramsey 5-yard touchdown reception from Eason, Franklin kick good | 30 | 24 |
| 4 | 8:24 | 6 | 66 | 3:04 | Dolphins | Moore 15-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 37 | 24 |
| 4 | 1:11 | 10 | 69 | 4:39 | Dolphins | Johnson 3-yard touchdown run, von Schamann kick good | 44 | 24 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 44 | 24 |
* Point spread: Dolphins by 4
* Over/Under: 42.0 (over)
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 13 minutes
| Dolphins | Game Statistics | Patriots |
| 33 | First downs | 18 |
| 37–236 | Rushes–yards | 27–102 |
| 316 | Passing yards | 313 |
| 24–39–1 | Passes | 19–29–0 |
| 0–0 | Sacked–yards | 1–7 |
| 316 | Net passing yards | 306 |
| 552 | Total yards | 408 |
| 75 | Return yards | 113 |
| 1–38.0 | Punts | 3–57.0 |
| 0–0 | Fumbles–lost | 1–1 |
| 6–36 | Penalties–yards | 6–36 |
| 31:59 | Time of Possession | 28:01 |

#### Week 9 (Sunday, October 28, 1984): vs. Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills (0–9) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Dolphins (9–0) | 7 | 17 | 0 | 14 | 38 |
at Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, Florida
* Date: October 28, 1984
* Game time: 4:01 p.m. EST
* Game attendance: 58,824
* Referee: Gene Barth
* TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Bob Griese (color commentator)
| Team | Category |
| BUF | Passing |
| BUF | Rushing |
| BUF | Receiving |
| MIA | Passing |
| MIA | Rushing |
| MIA | Receiving |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | BUF | MIA |
| 1 | 3:18 | 7 | 80 | 3:06 | Dolphins | Clayton 7-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 14:53 | 3 | 47 | 1:20 | Dolphins | Johnson 10-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | 7:55 | 10 | 77 | 4:50 | Dolphins | 22-yard field goal by von Schamann | 0 | 17 |
| 2 | 2:33 | 4 | 75 | 1:05 | Dolphins | Clayton 65-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 0 | 24 |
| 4 | 14:19 | 7 | 64 | 3:42 | Dolphins | Bennett 1-yard touchdown run, von Schamann kick good | 0 | 31 |
| 4 | 3:26 | 12 | 68 | 7:44 | Dolphins | Johnson 1-yard touchdown run, von Schamann kick good | 0 | 38 |
| 4 | 1:22 | 10 | 75 | 2:04 | Bills | Dennard 5-yard touchdown reception from Kofler, Danelo kick good | 7 | 38 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 7 | 38 |
* Point spread:
* Over/Under:
* Time of Game: 2 hours, 54 minutes
* Game Statistics
* First downs
* Rushes–yards
* Passing yards
* Passes
* Sacked–yards
* Net passing yards
* Total yards
* Return yards
* Punts
* Fumbles–lost
* Penalties–yards
* Time of Possession

#### Week 10

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Dolphins | 7 | 0 | 7 | 17 | 31 |
| Jets | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |

#### Week 11

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Eagles | 14 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 23 |
| • Dolphins | 0 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 24 |

#### Week 12

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Dolphins | 0 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| • Chargers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 6 | 34 |

#### Week 13

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| • Dolphins | 0 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 28 |

#### Week 14

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Raiders | 7 | 10 | 7 | 21 | 45 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 34 |

#### Week 15

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Dolphins | 7 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 35 |
| Colts | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |

#### Week 16

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| • Dolphins | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 28 |

### Playoffs

| Round | Date | Opponent (seed) | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| Divisional | December 29 | Seattle Seahawks (4) | W 31–10 | 1–0 | Miami Orange Bowl | 73,469 |
| AFC Championship | January 6, 1985 | Pittsburgh Steelers (3) | W 45–28 | 2–0 | Miami Orange Bowl | 76,029 |
| Super Bowl XIX | January 20, 1985 | N San Francisco 49ers (N1) | L 16–38 | 2–1 | Stanford Stadium | 84,059 |

### Standings

AFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| Miami Dolphins$^{(1)}$ | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | 8–0 | 10–2 | 513 | 298 | W2 |
| New England Patriots | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 6–2 | 9–3 | 362 | 352 | W1 |
| New York Jets | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–5 | 7–7 | 332 | 364 | L1 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–6 | 4–8 | 239 | 414 | L5 |
| Buffalo Bills | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 1–7 | 1–11 | 250 | 454 | L2 |

## Player stats
### Passing

| Player | Att | Comp | Yds | TD | INT | Rating |
| Dan Marino | 564 | 362 | 5084 | 48 | 17 | 108.9 |

## Postseason
### Divisional

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Seahawks | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| • Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 31 |
A year after being upended in the playoffs by the Seattle Seahawks the Dolphins routed Seattle 31–10. Dan Marino threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns despite being intercepted twice by Seahawks defensive back John Harris. The Dolphins rushed for 143 yards and a Tony Nathan rushing score as well.

### Conference Championship

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Steelers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| • Dolphins | 7 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
In a shootout, quarterback Dan Marino led the Dolphins to a victory by throwing for 421 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Steelers quarterback Mark Malone recorded 312 yards and 3 touchdowns, but was intercepted three times.

### Super Bowl XIX (Sunday, January 20, 1985): vs. San Francisco 49ers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins (16–3) | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 49ers (18–1) | 7 | 21 | 10 | 0 | 38 |
at Stanford Stadium • Stanford, California
* Date: January 20, 1985
* Game time: 6:19 p.m. EST
* Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C), cloudy, fog for much of the second half
* Game attendance: 84,059
* Referee: Pat Haggerty
* TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play), Don Meredith (color commentator) and Joe Theismann (color commentator)
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| MIA | Passing | Dan Marino | 29/50, 318 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| MIA | Rushing | Tony Nathan | 5 CAR, 18 YDS |
| MIA | Receiving | Tony Nathan | 10 REC, 83 YDS |
| SF | Passing | Joe Montana | 24/35, 331 YDS, 3 TDs |
| SF | Rushing | Wendell Tyler | 13 CAR, 65 YDS |
| SF | Receiving | Roger Craig | 7 REC, 77 YDS, 2 TDs |
Scoring summary :
| Quarter | Time | Drive | Drive | Drive | Team | Scoring information | Score | Score |
| Quarter | Time | Plays | Yards | TOP | Team | Scoring information | MIA | SF |
| 1 | 7:24 | 7 | 45 | 3:50 | Dolphins | 37-yard field goal by von Schamann | 3 | 0 |
| 1 | 3:12 | 8 | 78 | 4:12 | 49ers | Monroe 33-yard touchdown reception from Montana, Wersching kick good | 3 | 7 |
| 1 | 0:45 | 6 | 70 | 2:27 | Dolphins | Johnson 2-yard touchdown reception from Marino, von Schamann kick good | 10 | 7 |
| 2 | 11:34 | 4 | 47 | 1:25 | 49ers | Craig 8-yard touchdown reception from Montana, Wersching kick good | 10 | 14 |
| 2 | 6:58 | 6 | 55 | 2:43 | 49ers | Montana 6-yard touchdown run, Wersching kick good | 10 | 21 |
| 2 | 2:05 | 9 | 52 | 3:39 | 49ers | Craig 2-yard touchdown run, Wersching kick good | 10 | 28 |
| 2 | 0:12 | 12 | 72 | 1:53 | Dolphins | 31-yard field goal by von Schamann | 13 | 28 |
| 2 | 0:00 | 1 | 0 | 0:04 | Dolphins | 30-yard field goal by von Schamann | 16 | 28 |
| 3 | 10:12 | 10 | 43 | 3:28 | 49ers | 27-yard field goal by Wersching | 16 | 31 |
| 3 | 6:18 | 5 | 70 | 2:20 | 49ers | Craig 16-yard touchdown reception from Montana, Wersching kick good | 16 | 38 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. | 16 | 38 |
* Point spread: 49ers by 3
* Over/Under: 53.5 (over)
* Time of Game: 3 hours, 13 minutes
| Dolphins | Game Statistics | 49ers |
| 19 | First downs | 31 |
| 9–25 | Rushes–yards | 40–211 |
| 318 | Passing yards | 331 |
| 29–50–2 | Passes | 24–35–0 |
| 4–29 | Sacked–yards | 1–5 |
| 289 | Net passing yards | 326 |
| 314 | Total yards | 537 |
| 155 | Return yards | 91 |
| 6–39.3 | Punts | 3–32.7 |
| 1–0 | Fumbles–lost | 2–2 |
| 1–10 | Penalties–yards | 2–10 |
| 22:49 | Time of Possession | 37:11 |
Super Bowl XIX was played on January 20, 1985, and featured the San Francisco 49ers and the Miami Dolphins. The 49ers won their second Super Bowl, defeating the Dolphins 38–16. Dan Marino, the Dolphins quarterback passed for one touchdown and two interceptions, while Joe Montana, the 49ers quarterback passed for 3 touchdowns and rushed for another.

## Awards and honors

* Dan Marino, 1984 NFL MVP
* Dan Marino, 1984 PFWA MVP
* Dan Marino, 1984 NEA MVP
* Dan Marino, 1984 NFL Offensive Player of the Year
* Dan Marino, 1984 UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year
* Dan Marino, Bert Bell Award