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.2002 Miami Dolphins The team missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996. This season began a string of 6 consesutive seasons where the Dolphins missed the playoffs, which was the longest stretch in their history up to that time.
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 Additions SubtractionsRB Ricky Williams (Saints) RB Lamar Smith (Panthers)P Mark Royals (Buccaneers) TE Hunter Goodwin (Vikings)DT Larry Chester (Panthers) T Spencer Folau (Saints)DE Rob Burnett (Ravens) DE Lorenzo Bromell (Vikings) DE Kenny Mixon (Vikings) WR Jeff Ogden (Ravens) P Matt Turk (Jets) CB Terry Cousin (Panthers)
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
+ 2002 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeTim LevcikQuarterbackRobert MorrisZak KustokQuarterbackNorthwestern
Staff
Roster
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 9 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 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 at Minnesota Vikings L 17–20 9–6 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 64,285 17 December 29 at New England Patriots L 24–27 9–7 Gillette Stadium 68,436
Game summaries Week 1: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 2: at Indianapolis Colts
Week 3: vs. New York Jets
Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 5: vs. New England Patriots
Week 6: at Denver Broncos
Week 7: vs. Buffalo Bills
Week 9: at Green Bay Packers
Week 10: at New York Jets
Week 11: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week 12: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 13: at Buffalo Bills
Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 15: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 16: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 17: at New England Patriots
With the overtime loss, in addition to the Jets win over Green Bay, the Dolphins finished their season at 9–7, resulting in the Dolphins missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
Standings
References