The Dolphins had high expectations after winning their last six games of the 2005 season, and were picked by Sports Illustrated to reach Super Bowl XLI.
However the Dolphins later declined the idea after doctors informed them that Brees’ shoulder injury was too severe, and they ended up signing Daunte Culpepper instead.
On August 14, the Dolphins signed free agent defensive tackle Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson, a former 1st overall draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals (1994), and who had last played for the Detroit Lions.
On August 14, perennial All-Pro linebacker Junior Seau (who had been with the Dolphins for three seasons until he was released in March 2006) announced his retirement after 16 years in the NFL.
Running backs (RB) Wide receivers (WR) Tight ends (TE) Defensive linemen (DL) Defensive backs (DB) Special teams +Roster Exemption Reserve at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania The Dolphins opened the regular season in the annual Thursday NFL Kickoff Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 7.
An 87-yard touchdown pass to Steeler tight end Heath Miller and a 42-yard interception return by ROLB Joey Porter sealed the Dolphins' fate.
Head coach Nick Saban attempted to challenge Miller's touchdown reception on the grounds that he stepped out of bounds before reaching the goal line (which television replays proved was correct), however, officials failed to see Saban throw the red flag before the Steelers kicked the extra point, and the Dolphins were unable to challenge the call.
From the start, the Dolphins were unable to get anything going, as the Bills' Rian Lindell kicked a 33-yard field goal in the first quarter, while Buffalo's defense prevented Miami from getting any points throughout the first half.
The Dolphins finally managed to get some points as WR Chris Chambers caught a 23-yard TD pass, but Miami failed on the two-point conversion.
In the second quarter, the Dolphins got a bit of a scare as Titans QB Kerry Collins completed a 27-yard pass to TE Bo Scaife for a touchdown and the lead.
However, the Titans didn't go down quietly, as kicker Rob Bironas kicked a 22-yard field goal for Tennessee, putting the game in a 10–10 tie.
Miami got off to a rough start, as they fell behind 3–0 with Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski kicking a 35-yard field goal for the only score of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Miami continued to trail, as Gostkowski kicked a 31-yard field goal, while Pats QB Tom Brady completed a 10-yard TD pass to WR Troy Brown.
From the get-go, the Dolphins struggled as Jets kicker Mike Nugent kicked a 33-yard field goal for the only score of the first quarter and of the half.
However, the Jets didn't let Miami regain itself, as QB Chad Pennington completed a 58-yard TD pass to WR Laveranues Coles.
at Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida QB Joey Harrington had 414 yards off a record 62 attempts (33 of them were complete), but he also threw 3 INT's (one returned for a TD).
Packers QB Brett Favre had 206 yards throwing and two 2 TD's and is closing on Dan Marino's all-time completions and touchdown records.
In the second quarter, the Dolphins took to the water as kicker Olindo Mare nailed a 44-yard field goal, while QB Joey Harrington got an 11-yard TD pass to TE Justin Peelle.
Kitna completed a 2-yard TD pass to TE Dan Campbell, while kicker Jason Hanson nailed a 52-yard field goal.
Afterwards, Harrington started to get the Dolphins back into business as he completed his first-ever Thanksgiving touchdown pass on an 8-yard strike to WR Marty Booker.
In the third quarter, kicker Olindo Mare nailed a 42-yard field goal, while Harrington and Booker connected with each other again on a 19-yard TD pass.
In the third quarter, Miami continued their hot day as QB Joey Harrington completed a 32-yard TD pass to WR Marty Booker for the only score of the period.
An impressive Dolphins defense held the Patriots to just 189 total yards of offense, while sacking Pats QB Tom Brady four times.
In the third quarter, things got worse as Losman completed a 27-yard TD pass to WR Josh Reed for the only score of the period.
New York made sure that head coach Nick Saban got his first losing season with the Dolphins after Nugent nailed the game-winning 30-yard field goal with ten seconds left.
In the second quarter, the Colts respond with QB Peyton Manning completing a 2-yard TD pass to DT Dan Klecko.
However, Indianapolis struck back with Manning getting an 11-yard TD run, while kicker Adam Vinatieri getting a 46-yard field goal to end the half.
In the fourth quarter, Mare and Miami drew closer with a 34-yard field goal, yet Indianapolis ran away with the win as Manning completing a 27-yard TD pass to WR Marvin Harrison.