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1989 Miami Dolphins season

24th season in franchise history


24th season in franchise history

FieldValue
teamMiami Dolphins
year1989
record8–8
division_place3rd AFC East
coachDon Shula
stadiumJoe Robbie Stadium
playoffs*Failed to qualify*
pro bowlers{{ Collapsible list
title3
1ILB John Offerdahl
2TE Ferrell Edmunds
3P Reggie Roby
shortnavlinkDolphins seasons

The 1989 Miami Dolphins season was the team's 24th as a member of the National Football League (NFL). The Dolphins improved upon their previous season's 6–10 W-L record, winning eight games. Despite this improvement they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, tying the longest such record in franchise history when the Dolphins failed to make the playoffs from 1966 to 1969. This was also the longest such record for coach Don Shula in his NFL career. 1989 was summed up for Miami in its season premiere and season finale, both losses at home: Buffalo stunned the Dolphins when they scored a TD as time ran out to win in week 1, and Kansas City won in week 16 in a contest where the gametime temperature was 32 degrees, a record for the coldest home game the Dolphins had ever played up to that time.

Shortly after the season ended, Miami Dolphins founder Joe Robbie died on January 7, 1990, at the age of 73.

This was the first of 15 consecutive non-losing seasons for the Dolphins.

Offseason

Draft

Main article: 1989 NFL draft

Personnel

Staff

  • President – Joe Robbie

  • Executive vice-president/general manager – Mike Robbie

  • Vice-president – Don Shula

  • Vice-president of administration and Finance – Eddie Jones

  • Director of pro personnel – Charley Winner

  • Director of college scouting – Tom Heckert, Sr.

  • Head coach – Don Shula

  • Assistant head coach – John Sandusky

  • Quarterbacks/pass offense – Gary Stevens

  • Offensive backs – Carl Taseff

  • Receivers – Larry Seiple

  • Offensive line – John Sandusky

  • Assistant offensive line – Mike Westhoff

  • Coaches' assistant – Tony Nathan

  • Defense – Tom Olivadotti

  • Defensive line – Dan Sekanovich

  • Linebackers – George Hill

  • Defensive backs – Mel Phillips

  • Special teams – Mike Westhoff

  • Strength and conditioning – Junior Wade

Roster

47 active, 10 inactive, 3 practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Miami Dolphinsyear=1989border=2}}"WeekMiami Dolphinsyear=1989border=2}}"DateMiami Dolphinsyear=1989border=2}}"OpponentMiami Dolphinsyear=1989border=2}}"ResultMiami Dolphinsyear=1989border=2}}"RecordMiami Dolphinsyear=1989border=2}}"VenueMiami Dolphinsyear=1989border=2}}"Attendance12345678910111213141516
September 10**[Buffalo Bills](1989-buffalo-bills-season)****L** 24–270–1Joe Robbie Stadium54,541
September 17at **[New England Patriots](1989-new-england-patriots-season)****W** 24–101–1Sullivan Stadium57,043
September 24**[New York Jets](1989-new-york-jets-season)****L** 33–401–2Joe Robbie Stadium65,908
October 1at [Houston Oilers](1989-houston-oilers-season)**L** 7–391–3Astrodome53,326
October 8[Cleveland Browns](1989-cleveland-browns-season)**W** 13–10 (OT)2–3Joe Robbie Stadium58,444
October 15at [Cincinnati Bengals](1989-cincinnati-bengals-season)**W** 20–133–3Riverfront Stadium58,184
October 22[Green Bay Packers](1989-green-bay-packers-season)**W** 23–204–3Joe Robbie Stadium56,624
October 29at **[Buffalo Bills](1989-buffalo-bills-season)****L** 17–314–4Rich Stadium80,208
November 5**[Indianapolis Colts](1989-indianapolis-colts-season)****W** 19–135–4Joe Robbie Stadium52,680
November 12at **[New York Jets](1989-new-york-jets-season)****W** 31–236–4Giants Stadium65,923
November 19at [Dallas Cowboys](1989-dallas-cowboys-season)**W** 17–147–4Texas Stadium56,044
November 26[Pittsburgh Steelers](1989-pittsburgh-steelers)**L** 14–347–5Joe Robbie Stadium59,936
December 3at [Kansas City Chiefs](1989-kansas-city-chiefs-season)**L** 21–267–6Arrowhead Stadium54,610
December 10**[New England Patriots](1989-new-england-patriots-season)****W** 31–108–6Joe Robbie Stadium55,918
December 17at **[Indianapolis Colts](1989-indianapolis-colts-season)****L** 13–428–7Hoosier Dome55,665
December 24[Kansas City Chiefs](1989-kansas-city-chiefs-season)**L** 24–278–8Joe Robbie Stadium43,612

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

Season summary

Week 1

First quarter

  • BUF – Scott Norwood 34 yard field goal, 2:34. ''Bills 3–0. '''Drive:''''' Second quarter
  • MIA – Troy Stradford 1-yard run (Pete Stoyanovich kick), 8:48. ''Dolphins 7–3. '''Drive:'''''
  • MIA – Pete Stoyanovich 29-yard field goal, 0:03. ''Dolphins 10–3. '''Drive:''''' Third quarter
  • BUF – Larry Kinnebrew 2-yard run (Scott Norwood kick), 11:58. ''Tie 10–10. '''Drive:'''''
  • MIA – Marc Logan 2-yard blocked punt return (Pete Stoyanovich kick), 7:03. ''Dolphins 17–10. '''Drive:'''''
  • BUF – Scott Norwood 37-yard field goal, 2:11. ''Dolphins 17–13. '''Drive:''''' Fourth quarter
  • MIA – Andre Brown 8-yard pass from Dan Marino (Pete Stoyanovich kick), 4:17. ''Dolphins 24–13. '''Drive:'''''
  • BUF – Flip Johnson 26-yard pass from Jim Kelly (Scott Norwood kick), 2:50. ''Dolphins 24–20. '''Drive:'''''
  • BUF – Jim Kelly 2-yard run (Scott Norwood kick), 0:00. ''Bills 27–24. '''Drive: 51 yards.''''' 51 ;Top passers
  • BUF – Jim Kelly – 25/40, 265 yards, TD
  • MIA – Dan Marino – 25/38, 255 yards, TD, 2 INT ;Top rushers
  • BUF – Thurman Thomas – 13 rushes, 94 yards
  • MIA – Troy Stradford – 12 rushes, 43 yards, TD ;Top receivers
  • BUF – Thurman Thomas – 8 receptions, 65 yards
  • MIA – Ferrell Edmunds – 5 receptions, 58 yards

References

References

  1. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1989.htm 1989 Miami Dolphins]
  2. [https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/08/obituaries/joe-robbie-owner-of-dolphins-of-pro-football-is-dead-at-73.html Joe Robbie, Owner of Dolphins Of Pro Football, Is Dead at 73]
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