# 2002 Miami Dolphins season

The 2002 season was the Miami Dolphins' 33rd in the National Football League (NFL), their 37th overall and their third under head coach Dave Wannstedt. The Dolphins failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 11–5, winning only nine games. The team missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
In the off-season, the Dolphins acquired running back Ricky Williams from the New Orleans Saints. Despite the team not making the playoffs, he led the league with a career-high 16 rushing touchdowns. Williams made the Pro Bowl following the season, taking home the game's MVP honors. It was Williams' only Pro Bowl appearance of his career.

## Offseason
### NFL draft

2002 Miami Dolphins draft :
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College |
| 3 | 90 | Seth McKinney | Center | Texas A&M |
| 4 | 114 | Randy McMichael | Tight end | Georgia |
| 5 | 161 | Omare Lowe | Cornerback | Washington |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career ||||||

### Undrafted free agents

2002 undrafted free agents of note :
| Player | Position | College |
| Tim Levcik | Quarterback | Robert Morris |
| Zak Kustok | Quarterback | Northwestern |

## Regular season
### Schedule

| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
| 1 | September 8 | Detroit Lions | W 49–21 | 1–0 | Pro Player Stadium | 72,216 |
| 2 | September 15 | at Indianapolis Colts | W 21–13 | 2–0 | RCA Dome | 56,650 |
| 3 | September 22 | New York Jets | W 30–3 | 3–0 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,426 |
| 4 | September 29 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 30–48 | 3–1 | Arrowhead Stadium | 78,178 |
| 5 | October 6 | New England Patriots | W 26–13 | 4–1 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,369 |
| 6 | October 13 | at Denver Broncos | W 24–22 | 5–1 | Invesco Field at Mile High | 75,941 |
| 7 | October 20 | Buffalo Bills | L 10–23 | 5–2 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,180 |
| 8 | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye | Bye |
| 9 | November 4 | at Green Bay Packers | L 10–24 | 5–3 | Lambeau Field | 63,284 |
| 10 | November 10 | at New York Jets | L 10–13 | 5–4 | Giants Stadium | 78,920 |
| 11 | November 17 | Baltimore Ravens | W 26–7 | 6–4 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,013 |
| 12 | November 24 | San Diego Chargers | W 30–3 | 7–4 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,138 |
| 13 | December 1 | at Buffalo Bills | L 21–38 | 7–5 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | 73,287 |
| 14 | December 9 | Chicago Bears | W 27–9 | 8–5 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,609 |
| 15 | December 15 | Oakland Raiders | W 23–17 | 9–5 | Pro Player Stadium | 73,572 |
| 16 | December 21 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 17–20 | 9–6 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 64,285 |
| 17 | December 29 | at New England Patriots | L 24–27 (OT) | 9–7 | Gillette Stadium | 68,436 |

### Game summaries
#### Week 1: vs. Detroit Lions

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Lions | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 49 |
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: September 8, 2002
* Game time: 1:04 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 87 °F (31 °C)
* Game attendance: 72,216
* Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
* TV announcers (FOX): Dan Miller, Mark Carrier, Mike Di Pasquale
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 1-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 3:07. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 90 yards, 5:21.
Second quarter
MIA – Trent Gamble fumble recovery in the end zone (Olindo Mare kick), 14:46. Dolphins 14–0.
MIA – Randy McMichael 16-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 10:11. Dolphins 21–0. Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 3:31.
DET – Mike McMahon 2-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), 4:20. Dolphins 21–7. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 5:51.
MIA – Chris Chambers 9-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 0:08. Dolphins 28–7. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 1:28.
Third quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 2-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 14:41. Dolphins 35–7. Drive: 1 play, 2 yards, 0:06.
DET – Lamont Warren 13-yard pass from Mike McMahon (Jason Hanson kick), 6:19. Dolphins 35–14. Drive: 7 plays, 45 yards, 4:11.
MIA – Robert Edwards 4-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 3:59. Dolphins 42–14. Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 2:20.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Robert Edwards 1-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 10:39. Dolphins 49–14. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 6:39.
DET – Cory Schlesinger 2-yard run (Jason Hanson kick), 5:48. Dolphins 49–21. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 4:51.
Top passers
DET – Mike McMahon – 13/25, 179 yards, TD, INT
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 18/27, 207 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
DET – Cory Schlesinger – 8 rushes, 28 yards, TD
MIA – Ricky Williams – 20 rushes, 111 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
DET – Az-Zahir Hakim – 9 receptions, 97 yards
MIA – Randy McMichael – 4 receptions, 73 yards, TD :

#### Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Colts | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
at RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana
* Date: September 15, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: none (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 56,650
* Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
* TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle & Solomon Wilcots
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Jay Fiedler 1-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 9:34. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 5:26.
MIA – Rob Konrad 9-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 2:18. Dolphins 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 3:33.
Second quarter
IND – Mike Vanderjagt 25-yard field goal, 4:03. Dolphins 14–3. Drive: 15 plays, 74 yards, 8:18.
MIA – Ricky Williams 10-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 1:53. Dolphins 21–3. Drive: 4 plays, 71 yards, 2:10.
Fourth quarter
IND – Marvin Harrison 16-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick), 9:11. Dolphins 21–10. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:29.
IND – Mike Vanderjagt 23-yard field goal, 2:54. Dolphins 21–13. Drive: 13 plays, 71 yards, 3:19.
Top passers
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 13/18, 187 yards, 2 TD, INT
IND – Peyton Manning – 26/45, 289 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
MIA – Ricky Williams – 24 rushes, 132 yards
IND – Edgerrin James – 30 rushes, 138 yards
Top receivers
MIA – Ricky Williams – 2 receptions, 62 yards, TD
IND – Marvin Harrison – 11 receptions, 144 yards, TD :

#### Week 3: vs. New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jets | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Dolphins | 10 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 30 |
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: September 22, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,426
* Referee: Gerald Austin (34)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 53-yard field goal, 3:30. Dolphins 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:07.
MIA – Randy McMichael 10-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 1:10. Dolphins 10–0. Drive: 2 plays, 26 yards, 0:47.
Second quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 25-yard field goal, 13:30. Dolphins 13–0. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:33.
NYJ – John Hall 20-yard field goal, 10:00. Dolphins 13–3. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 3:44.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 29-yard field goal, 12:20. Dolphins 16–3. Drive: 13 plays, 81 yards, 8:31.
MIA – Ricky Williams 53-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 5:00. Dolphins 23–3. Drive: 6 plays, 81 yards, 3:49.
MIA – Travis Minor 5-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 2:00. Dolphins 30–3. Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 2:08.
Top passers
NYJ – Vinny Testaverde – 14/25, 125 yards, 2 INT
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 16/30, 185 yards, TD
Top rushers
NYJ – Curtis Martin – 16 rushes, 43 yards
MIA – Ricky Williams – 24 rushes, 151 yards, TD
Top receivers
NYJ – Wayne Chrebet – 5 receptions, 64 yards
MIA – Randy McMichael – 5 receptions, 79 yards, TD :

#### Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 30 |
| Chiefs | 10 | 14 | 7 | 17 | 48 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
* Date: September 29, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 76 °F (24 °C)
* Game attendance: 78,178
* Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross, Beasley Reece
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Jay Fiedler 1-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 13:07. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 1:53.
KC – Tony Gonzalez 9-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 6:53. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 83 yards, 6:14.
KC – Morten Andersen 50-yard field goal, 5:37. Chiefs 10–7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:01.
Second quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 42-yard field goal, 14:21. Tied 10–10. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 6:16.
KC – Priest Holmes 25-yard run (Morten Andersen kick), 12:37. Chiefs 17–10. Drive: 4 plays, 69 yards, 1:44.
KC – Johnnie Morton 8-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 9:23. Chiefs 24–10. Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 1:32.
MIA – Olindo Mare 29-yard field goal, 3:39. Chiefs 24–13. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 2:38.
MIA – Olindo Mare 25-yard field goal, 0:00. Chiefs 24–16. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 2:44.
Third quarter
KC – Tony Gonzalez 42-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 11:33. Chiefs 31–16. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:27.
MIA – Ricky Williams 3-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 9:15. Chiefs 31–23. Drive: 4 plays, 72 yards, 2:18.
Fourth quarter
KC – Tony Gonzalez 6-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 13:40. Chiefs 38–23. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:35.
MIA – Rob Konrad 6-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 11:30. Chiefs 38–30. Drive: 5 plays, 63 yards, 2:10.
KC – Morten Andersen 24-yard field goal, 7:33. Chiefs 41–30. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 2:04.
KC – Billy Baber 3-yard pass from Trent Green (Morten Andersen kick), 5:48. Chiefs 48–30. Drive: 2 plays, 20 yards, 0:51.
Top passers
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 29/45, 310 yards, TD, 4 INT
KC – Trent Green – 24/34, 328 yards, 5 TD
Top rushers
MIA – Ricky Williams – 14 rushes, 66 yards, TD
KC – Priest Holmes – 23 rushes, 52 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIA – Chris Chambers – 6 receptions, 102 yards
KC – Tony Gonzalez – 7 receptions, 140 yards, 3 TD :

#### Week 5: vs. New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Patriots | 0 | 0 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
| Dolphins | 6 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 26 |
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: October 6, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 86 °F (30 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,369
* Referee: Terry McAulay (77)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Jay Fiedler 8-yard run (kick blocked), 0:08. Dolphins 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 5:13.
Second quarter
MIA – Chris Chambers 7-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 11:38. Dolphins 13–0. Drive: 8 plays, 29 yards, 3:09.
MIA – Olindo Mare 40-yard field goal, 1:11. Dolphins 16–0. Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 4:31.
Third quarter
NE – David Patten 34-yard pass from Tom Brady (pass failed), 9:35. Dolphins 16–6. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 1:35.
MIA – Randy McMichael 1-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 1:05. Dolphins 23–6. Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 5:29.
Fourth quarter
NE – David Patten 25-yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick), 4:41. Dolphins 23–13. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 2:58.
MIA – Olindo Mare 33-yard field goal, 1:25. Dolphins 26–13. Drive: 8 plays, 27 yards, 3:16.
Top passers
NE – Tom Brady – 17/31, 240 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 17/27, 190 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers
NE – Kevin Faulk – 2 rushes, 17 yards
MIA – Ricky Williams – 36 rushes, 105 yards
Top receivers
NE – David Patten – 5 receptions, 102 yards, 2 TD
MIA – Chris Chambers – 6 receptions, 62 yards, TD :

#### Week 6: at Denver Broncos

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 24 |
| Broncos | 6 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 22 |
at Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado
* Date: October 13, 2002
* Game time: 8:35 p.m.
* Game weather: Clear, 58 °F (14 °C)
* Game attendance: 75,941
* Referee: Tony Corrente (99)
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire, Joe Theismann and Suzy Kolber
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
DEN – Jason Elam 33-yard field goal, 12:09. Broncos 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 24 yards, 2:51.
DEN – Jason Elam 52-yard field goal, 4:14. Broncos 6–0. Drive: 11 plays, 40 yards, 6:18.
Second quarter
DEN – Jason Elam 23-yard field goal, 11:25. Broncos 9–0. Drive: 13 plays, 57 yards, 6:00.
MIA – Ricky Williams 10-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 7:11. Broncos 9–7. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards, 4:14.
Third quarter
DEN – Jason Elam 40-yard field goal, 13:44. Broncos 12–7. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:20.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 2-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 9:48. Dolphins 14–12. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 3:08.
MIA – Patrick Surtain 40-yard interception return (Olindo Mare kick), Dolphins 21–12.
DEN – Mike Anderson 1-yard pass from Brian Griese (Jason Elam kick), 3:37. Dolphins 21–19. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 4:36.
DEN – Jason Elam 55-yard field goal, 0:45. Broncos 22–21. Drive: 6 plays, 43 yards, 1:06.
MIA – Olindo Mare 53-yard field goal, 0:06. Dolphins 24–22. Drive: 5 plays, 39 yards, 0:39.
Top passers
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 19/29, 210 yards, INT
DEN – Brian Griese – 27/46, 335 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIA – Ricky Williams – 20 rushes, 49 yards, 2 TD
DEN – Clinton Portis – 18 rushes, 75 yards
Top receivers
MIA – Oronde Gadsden – 5 receptions, 77 yards
DEN – Rod Smith – 9 receptions, 88 yards :

#### Week 7: vs. Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bills | 3 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: October 20, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 85 °F (29 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,180
* Referee: Johnny Grier (23)
* TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, and Bonnie Bernstein
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Randy McMichael 4-yard pass from Ray Lucas (Olindo Mare kick), 8:30. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:56.
BUF – Mike Hollis 46-yard field goal, 1:39. Dolphins 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 5:23.
Second quarter
BUF – Eric Moulds 70-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 12:40. Bills 10–7. Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0:47.
MIA – Olindo Mare 42-yard field goal, 4:57. Tied 10–10. Drive: 13 plays, 46 yards, 7:43.
BUF – Nate Clements 29-yard interception return (Mike Hollis kick), 2:23. Bills 17–10.
Third quarter
BUF – Mike Hollis 26-yard field goal, 4:16. Bills 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:32.
Fourth quarter
BUF – Mike Hollis 44-yard field goal, 1:12. Bills 23–10. Drive: 9 plays, 23 yards, 4:07.
Top passers
BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 15/31, 182 yards, TD
MIA – Ray Lucas – 13/33, 165 yards, TD, 4 INT
Top rushers
BUF – Travis Henry – 22 rushes, 132 yards
MIA – Ricky Williams – 25 rushes, 97 yards
Top receivers
BUF – Larry Centers – 5 receptions, 51 yards
MIA – James McKnight – 3 receptions, 42 yards :

#### Week 9: at Green Bay Packers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Packers | 0 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
* Date: November 4, 2002
* Game time: 9:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Clear, 30 °F (−1 °C)
* Game attendance: 63,284
* Referee: Tom White (123)
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden and Melissa Stark
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
Second quarter
GB – Ahman Green 1-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 10:25. Packers 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 4:27.
GB – Ahman Green 23-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:46. Packers 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 44 yards, 1:00.
Third quarter
GB – Ryan Longwell 27-yard field goal, 9:52. Packers 17–0. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:58.
GB – Darren Sharper 89-yard interception return (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:00. Packers 24–0.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 46-yard field goal, 8:20. Packers 24–3. Drive: 9 plays, 24 yards, 3:59.
MIA – Ray Lucas 1-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 1:31. Packers 24–10. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 1:53.
Top passers
MIA – Ray Lucas – 22/39, 198 yards, 2 INT
GB – Brett Favre – 16/25, 187 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIA – Ray Lucas – 9 rushes, 49 yards, TD
GB – Ahman Green – 19 rushes, 72 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIA – Chris Chambers – 5 receptions, 55 yards
GB – Ahman Green – 6 receptions, 71 yards, TD :

#### Week 10: at New York Jets

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Jets | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
* Date: November 10, 2002
* Game time: 8:30 p.m.
* Game weather: Cloudy, 65 °F (18 °C)
* Game attendance: 78,920
* Referee: Larry Nemmers (20)
* TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Paul Maguire, Joe Theismann, and Suzy Kolber
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
NYJ – Curtis Martin 6-yard run (John Hall kick), 7:00. Jets 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 6 yards, 0:06.
Second quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 28-yard field goal, 11:36. Jets 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 5:10.
NYJ – John Hall 30-yard field goal, 0:03. Jets 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 34 yards, 2:51.
Third quarter
MIA – Rob Konrad 4-yard pass from Ray Lucas (Olindo Mare kick), 7:26. Tied 10–10. Drive: 5 plays, 39 yards, 2:22.
Fourth quarter
NYJ – John Hall 27-yard field goal, 2:22. Jets 13–10. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 5:09.
Top passers
MIA – Ray Lucas – 19/28, 227 yards, TD
NYJ – Chad Pennington – 17/27, 167 yards
Top rushers
MIA – Ricky Williams – 20 rushes, 53 yards
NYJ – Curtis Martin – 19 rushes, 74 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIA – James McKnight – 2 receptions, 52 yards
NYJ – Laveranues Coles – 5 receptions, 80 yards :

#### Week 11: vs. Baltimore Ravens

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Ravens | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 26 |
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: November 17, 2002
* Game time: 4:15 p.m.
* Game weather: Cloudy, 68 °F (20 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,013
* Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
* TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Randy Cross, Beasley Reece
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 2-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 3:43. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 88 yards, 4:25.
Second quarter
BAL – Travis Taylor 28-yard pass from Jeff Blake (Matt Stover kick), 9:08. Tied 7–7. Drive: 4 plays, 37 yards, 1:40.
MIA – Ray Lucas 1-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 6:19. Dolphins 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 2:49.
MIA – Olindo Mare 42-yard field goal, 0:08. Dolphins 17–7. Drive: 11 plays, 43 yards, 3:12.
Third quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 49-yard field goal, 5:07. Dolphins 20–7. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:50.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 4-yard run (pass failed), 9:02. Dolphins 26–7. Drive: 9 plays, 82 yards, 5:11.
Top passers
BAL – Jeff Blake – 14/28, 127 yards, TD, INT
MIA – Ray Lucas – 18/26, 221 yards
Top rushers
BAL – Jamal Lewis – 17 rushes, 47 yards
MIA – Ricky Williams – 26 rushes, 102 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
BAL – Travis Taylor – 4 receptions, 48 yards, TD
MIA – James McKnight – 4 receptions, 59 yards :

#### Week 12: vs. San Diego Chargers

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Chargers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Dolphins | 10 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 30 |
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: November 24, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 77 °F (25 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,138
* Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 20-yard field goal, 10:06. Dolphins 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 29 yards, 4:01.
SD – Steve Christie 38-yard field goal, 4:27. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 5:39.
MIA – James McKnight 20-yard pass from Ray Lucas (Olindo Mare kick), 1:43. Dolphins 10–3. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 2:44.
Second quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 1-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 6:45. Dolphins 17–3. Drive: 14 plays, 86 yards, 7:24.
MIA – Olindo Mare 38-yard field goal, 0:15. Dolphins 20–3. Drive: 13 plays, 48 yards, 2:43.
Third quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 12-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 2:14. Dolphins 27–3. Drive: 4 plays, 28 yards, 2:04.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 23-yard field goal, 13:02. Dolphins 30–3. Drive: 6 plays, 83 yards, 2:52.
Top passers
SD – Drew Brees – 15/22, 107 yards, INT
MIA – Ray Lucas – 14/23, 194 yards, TD
Top rushers
SD – LaDainian Tomlinson – 14 rushes, 45 yards
MIA – Ricky Williams – 29 rushes, 143 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
SD – Stephen Alexander – 8 receptions, 61 yards
MIA – James McKnight – 3 receptions, 111 yards, TD :

#### Week 13: at Buffalo Bills

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Bills | 3 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 38 |
at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
* Date: December 1, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Snow, 25 °F (−4 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,287
* Referee: Bill Carollo (63)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 45-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 11:11. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 45 yards, 0:09.
BUF – Mike Hollis 39-yard field goal, 6:01. Dolphins 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 5:10.
MIA – Jed Weaver 1-yard pass from Ray Lucas (Olindo Mare kick), 0:06. Dolphins 14–3. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:55.
Second quarter
BUF – Drew Bledsoe 2-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 3:37. Dolphins 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 45 yards, 4:24.
BUF – Peerless Price 20-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 0:11. Bills 17–14. Drive: 4 plays, 31 yards, 0:27.
Third quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 55-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 5:33. Dolphins 21–17. Drive: 3 plays, 64 yards, 1:28.
BUF – Peerless Price 73-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 4:35. Bills 24–21. Drive: 2 plays, 76 yards, 0;58.
BUF – Eric Moulds 57-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Mike Hollis kick), 2:01. Bills 31–21. Drive: 1 play, 57 yards, 0:09.
Fourth quarter
BUF – Travis Henry 1-yard run (Mike Hollis kick), 10:30. Bills 38–21. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 4:19.
Top passers
MIA – Ray Lucas – 6/11, 40 yards, TD
BUF – Drew Bledsoe – 15/27, 306 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
MIA – Ricky Williams – 27 rushes, 228 yards, 2 TD
BUF – Travis Henry – 35 rushes, 151 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIA – Jed Weaver – 2 receptions, 18 yards, TD
BUF – Eric Moulds – 5 receptions, 130 yards, TD :

#### Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bears | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
| Dolphins | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 27 |
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: December 9, 2002
* Game time: 9:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Cloudy, Rain, 72 °F (22 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,609
* Referee: Ron Blum (7)
* TV announcers (ABC): Al Michaels, John Madden and Melissa Stark
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Jed Weaver 5-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 7:30. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 38 yards, 2:01.
Second quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 15-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 4:12. Dolphins 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 84 yards, 3:14.
Third quarter
CHI – Paul Edinger 52-yard field goal, 10:15. Dolphins 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:54.
MIA – Ricky Williams 63-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 9:16. Dolphins 21–3. Drive: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:59.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 23-yard field goal, 7:26. Dolphins 24–3. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:39.
MIA – Olindo Mare 29-yard field goal, 5:41. Dolphins 27–3. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:31.
CHI – Marty Booker 6-yard pass from Henry Burris (pass failed), 0:44. Dolphins 27–9. Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards, 1:26.
Top passers
CHI – Chris Chandler – 7/17, 86 yards, 2 INT
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 15/29, 196 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
CHI – Henry Burris – 5 rushes, 52 yards
MIA – Ricky Williams – 31 rushes, 216 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers
CHI – Marty Booker – 5 receptions, 46 yards, TD
MIA – James McKnight – 4 receptions, 90 yards :

#### Week 15: vs. Oakland Raiders

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Raiders | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 17 |
| Dolphins | 10 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
* Date: December 15, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Sunny, 66 °F (19 °C)
* Game attendance: 73,572
* Referee: Terry McAulay (77)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 25-yard field goal, 10:24. Dolphins 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 49 yards, 2:24.
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 26-yard field goal, 6:27. Tied 3–3. Drive: 6 plays, 5 yards, 2:35.
MIA – Cris Carter 5-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 4:01. Dolphins 10–3. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 2:26.
Second quarter
MIA – Travis Minor 4-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 5:01. Dolphins 17–3. Drive: 13 plays, 97 yards, 7:53.
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 38-yard field goal, 0:45. Dolphins 17–6. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 4:16.
Third quarter
OAK – Sebastian Janikowski 45-yard field goal, 11:13. Dolphins 17–9. Drive: 9 plays, 32 yards, 2:37.
MIA – Olindo Mare 27-yard field goal, 3:38. Dolphins 20–9. Drive: 14 plays, 57 yards, 7:35.
Fourth quarter
OAK – Jerry Porter 20-yard pass from Rich Gannon (Rich Gannon-Jerry Porter pass), 14:52. Dolphins 20–17. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:46.
MIA – Olindo Mare 41-yard field goal, 2:28. Dolphins 23–17. Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 2:18.
Top passers
OAK – Rich Gannon – 17/31, 204 yards, TD, INT
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 21/32, 237 yards, TD
Top rushers
OAK – Tyrone Wheatley – 4 rushes, 33 yards
MIA – Ricky Williams – 27 rushes, 101 yards
Top receivers
OAK – Doug Jolley – 3 receptions, 62 yards
MIA – Chris Chambers – 7 receptions, 138 yards :

#### Week 16: at Minnesota Vikings

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Dolphins | 7 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 17 |
| Vikings | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Date: December 21, 2002
* Game time: 1:30 p.m.
* Game weather: none (indoor stadium)
* Game attendance: 64,285
* Referee: Johnny Grier (23)
* TV announcers (CBS): Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Chris Chambers 59-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 11:43. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 3:17.
Second quarter
MIN – Gary Anderson 35-yard field goal, 4:21. Dolphins 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 5:55.
Third quarter
MIN – Moe Williams 3-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 7:45. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 13 plays, 78 yards, 7:15.
MIA – Jed Weaver 3-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 1:19. Dolphins 14-10. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 6:26.
Fourth quarter
MIN – D'Wayne Bates 13-yard pass from Randy Moss (Gary Anderson kick), 11:53. Vikings 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:26.
MIA – Olindo Mare 25-yard field goal, 6:09. Tied 17–17. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 5:44.
MIN – Gary Anderson 53-yard field goal, 0:17. Vikings 20–17. Drive: 12 plays, 45 plays, 5:52.
Top passers
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 15/21, 177 yards, 2 TD, INT
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 20/29, 244 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
MIA – Ricky Williams – 15 rushes, 67 yards
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 10 rushes, 67 yards
Top receivers
MIA – Chris Chambers – 2 receptions, 68 yards, TD
MIN – Randy Moss – 7 receptions, 110 yards :

#### Week 17: at New England Patriots

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Dolphins | 7 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Patriots | 0 | 10 | 3 | 11 | 3 | 27 |
at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
* Date: December 29, 2002
* Game time: 1:00 p.m.
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 40 °F (4 °C)
* Game attendance: 68,436
* Referee: Bob McElwee (95)
* TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian
* Recap, Game Book
Game information :
First quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 8-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 3:17. Dolphins 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 64 yards, 1:08.
Second quarter
MIA – Ricky Williams 14-yard run (Olindo Mare kick), 8:52. Dolphins 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 87 yards, 5:13.
NE – Antowain Smith 11-yard run (Adam Vinatieri kick), 2:25. Dolphins 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:00.
MIA – James McKnight 32-yard pass from Jay Fiedler (Olindo Mare kick), 1:06. Dolphins 21–7. Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 1:19.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 41-yard field goal, 0:00. Dolphins 21–10. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 1:06.
Third quarter
NE – Adam Vinatieri 36-yard field goal, 3:37. Dolphins 21–13. Drive: 11 plays, 45 yards, 5:03.
Fourth quarter
MIA – Olindo Mare 28-yard field goal, 4:59. Dolphins 24–13. Drive: 6 plays, 21 yards, 2:58.
NE – Troy Brown 3-yard pass from Tom Brady (Tom Brady–Christian Fauria pass), 2:46. Dolphins 24–21. Drive: 10 plays, 68 yards, 2:13.
NE – Adam Vinatieri 43-yard field goal, 1:09. Tied 24–24. Drive: 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:02.
Overtime
NE – Adam Vinatieri 35-yard field goal, 12:57. Patriots 27–24. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 2:03.
Top passers
MIA – Jay Fiedler – 11/25, 110 yards, TD
NE – Tom Brady – 25/44, 221 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
MIA – Ricky Williams – 31 rushes, 185 yards, 2 TD
NE – Antowain Smith – 19 rushes, 55 yards, TD
Top receivers
MIA – Dedric Ward – 4 receptions, 34 yards
NE – Kevin Faulk – 9 receptions, 70 yards :

## Standings

AFC East :
| viewtalkedit | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| $^{(4)}$ New York Jets | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 6–6 | 359 | 336 | W2 |
| New England Patriots | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 6–6 | 381 | 346 | W1 |
| Miami Dolphins | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 2–4 | 7–5 | 378 | 301 | L2 |
| Buffalo Bills | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 5–7 | 379 | 397 | W1 |