Jimmy Johnson, quit Dallas after winning Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII, was hired as only the third head coach in Dolphins history.
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.
Running backs (RB) Wide receivers (WR) Tight ends (TE) Defensive linemen (DL) Defensive backs (DB) Special teams Reserve [3] at Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida Top passers Top rushers Top receivers 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.
Aaron Glenn picked off Dan Marino at the Jets goalline and ran back a 100-yard touchdown.
The Dolphins fumbled seven times, losing two, mostly on botched snaps between Erickson and center Tim Ruddy.
With Michael Irvin back with the team after a league suspension for the first five games, the Cowboys broke out of a 10-9 Miami lead with three Troy Aikman touchdowns.
In their final season in Houston the future Tennessee Titans clawed to a 17–13 lead in the fourth quarter.
Despite two fumbles and a Mike Tomczak pick-six (run back by Calvin Jackson for a 61-yard touchdown) the Steelers erased a 14-3 Dolphins lead and won 24–17 on Ernie Mills' 20-yard score.
For the second straight week the Dolphins fell 17–7, this time to the Giants, who picked off Marino twice as the two teams managed only 474 combined yards.
All but eliminated from the playoff race, the Dolphins salvaged a glimmer of hope as they clawed to a 16–7 lead in the fourth and absorbed a late Eric Moulds touchdown to win 16–14.