The 1979 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 10th season in the National Football League, the 14th overall, and the 10th under head coach Don Shula. Prior to the start of the season, the Dolphins re-signed Larry Csonka who left to join the WFL after the 1974 season. Despite struggles from Bob Griese all year, the Dolphins finished 10–6 and won their first division title in five years. Among the season highlights were the Dolphins' 19th and 20th consecutive wins over the Buffalo Bills. For the entire decade of the 1970s (1970–79), the Dolphins hold a perfect 20–0 record over the Bills, which contributed to O. J. Simpson never seeing any postseason success in his career. In the Divisional Playoffs, the Dolphins were no match for the Pittsburgh Steelers who jumped out to a 20–0 lead in the 1st Quarter to win 34–14 on their way to their second straight Super Bowl title.
The Dolphins failed to have a Pro Bowler this season.
Offseason
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents + 1979 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeGreg GordonCornerbackWisconsinCleveland GreenTackleSouthernDerek PennRunning backDukeJoel WilliamsLinebackerWisconsin–La Crosse
Personnel
Coaches / Staff
Roster
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 2 at Buffalo Bills W 9–7 1–0 Rich Stadium Recap 2 September 9 Seattle Seahawks W 19–10 2–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 3 September 16 at Minnesota Vikings W 27–12 3–0 Metropolitan Stadium Recap 4 September 23 Chicago Bears W 31–16 4–0 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 5 September 30 at New York Jets L 27–33 4–1 Shea Stadium Recap 6 at Oakland Raiders L 3–13 4–2 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Recap 7 October 14 Buffalo Bills W 17–7 5–2 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 8 October 21 at New England Patriots L 13–28 5–3 Schaefer Stadium Recap 9 October 28 Green Bay Packers W 27–7 6–3 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 10 Houston Oilers L 6–9 6–4 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 11 November 11 Baltimore Colts W 19–0 7–4 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 12 November 18 at Cleveland Browns L 24–30 7–5 Cleveland Stadium Recap 13 November 25 at Baltimore Colts W 28–24 8–5 Memorial Stadium Recap 14 New England Patriots W 39–24 9–5 Miami Orange Bowl Recap 15 December 9 at Detroit Lions W 28–10 10–5 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 16 New York Jets L 24–27 10–6 Miami Orange Bowl Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Playoffs
AFC Divisional Playoff: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Awards and honors Larry Csonka returned to the Dolphins in 1979 for one last season before retiring, after leaving in 1975 for the World Football League and spending the next three seasons after with the New York Giants. He led the team with 837 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, in addition to one receiving touchdown. His return led to him being named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
References
External links 1979 Miami Dolphins at Pro-Football-Reference.com