Miami Dolphins

2005 Stats

2005 Season Summary

The Miami Dolphins entered 2005 with a fresh outlook led by the hiring of new head coach Nick Saban, who had led college football's LSU Tigers to a national championship in 2003. Saban was just what the doctor ordered for the heartsick Dolphins and their fans, who endured a humiliating 2004 campaign which included the sudden and unexpected retirement of key running back Ricky Williams, the midseason resignation of beleaguered head coach Dave Wannstedt, and a final record of 4-12 straight up and 7-9 against the spread. For a proud franchise with a rich history and fickle yet demanding fans, this was too much to bear and owner Wayne Huizenga opened his wallet to Saban at year's end to try and right the ship immediately.

2005 was written off as a rebuilding year

As Saban entered his first training camp at Miami the 2005 campaign was written off by most experts, if not the Dolphins themselves, as a rebuilding year in which not much was to be expected as Saban would install a new mindset while ushering in new players that fit his mold and mindset.

In their previous five exhibition campaigns entering 2005, Miami had covered just 8 of 21 games against the spread. Saban made it clear that he would use the preseason to evaluate talent and wouldn't place much emphasis on winning exhibitions so gamblers cast a weary eye towards Miami as preseason betting began.

Miami 's preseason opener was a neutral site game against Chicago and the Dolphins got a push for gamblers in a 24-27 straight up loss. That was followed by a pair of road losses both straight up and against the spread at Jacksonville , (17-27 as 2.5-point dogs), and at Pittsburgh , (3-17 as 3-point dogs).

Miami would end the preseason with back-to-back home games. First, as 3-point chalks, they defeated Tampa Bay 17-14 for their second push of the preseason. In the exhibition finale, Miami lost to Atlanta 172-0 as 3-point chalks to finish 1-4 straight up and 0-3-2 against the spread.

Low expectations continued into the regular season opener

Miami did nothing in the preseason to ignite much change in the mindset of the experts and gamblers as low expectations continued into the regular season opener against perennial AFC playoff contender Denver . Miami was installed as a 6-point home dog and stunned nearly everyone with a dominating 34-10 upset win.

The Dolphins came back down to earth, however, in their next game at the New York Jets who were installed as 5.5-point chalks. Miami was punchless in a 7-17 loss that felt like a splash of ice water.

The Dolphins returned home to face NFC contender Carolina , who was installed as a 3-point chalk. Miami posted their second straight upset home win with a 27-24 triumph to enter an early bye week standing at an encouraging 2-1 both straight up and against the spread.

Early hopes would prove to be false, or would they?

After the bye week Miami traveled to Buffalo to face a desperate Bills team, who was installed as three-point chalks. The Bills got the cash in a 20-14 win. This was followed by a 13-27 loss by Miami at Tampa Bay as 4.5-point dogs, as the Dolphins sank to 2-3 both straight up and against the spread.

The threat of hurricanes forced Miami to host Kansas City on a Friday Night rather than on Sunday. The Chiefs were installed as 1-point chalks and a small crowd saw Miami fall 20-30. After an encouraging 2-1 start, Miami 's hopes would prove to be false, or would they?

Given up for dead

Miami next traveled to Saban's old stomping grounds at LSU for a game against the homeless New Orleans Saints, who were installed as 2.5-point chalks. Savvy gamblers thought that Saban's unexpected homecoming was a good angle and were paid in a 21-6 Miami win and cover.

Miami returned home to face Atlanta and was a 2-point home dog, losing 10-17. Things got worse the next week as the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots came calling. Once again, Miami was the home dog, this time at +3. The Patriots won and covered 16-23. Miami next traveled to Cleveland and was abysmal in a 22-0 loss as 2.5-point dogs, which was their third straight loss both straight up and against the spread, making for a stretch of six out of seven losses and pointspread failures. At this point Miami was given up for dead and some Dolphin Fans were waxing sentimental for the “glorious” Wannstedt era. Miami entered the stretch drive at 3-7 both straight up and against the spread.

An incredible resurgence

Miami headed off to Oakland for a game against the Raiders, who were favored by 7-points. Oakland was a struggling team as well and the line proved to be artificially high as Miami scored a 33-21 upset win and cover, which was to serve as the springboard to an incredible resurgence.

The Dolphins returned home for a revenge match against the stumbling Bills of Buffalo. For the first time all season Miami was a home chalk at –5, winning 24-23 but failing to get the cash.

With a modest two-game winning streak, Miami was not going to get much slack from the oddsmakers for their next game at San Diego against the desperate defending AFC West champs who were in playoff contention. The red hot Chargers, who had won and covered six of their previous seven games, were installed as 12.5-point chalks and Miami pulled off a stunning 23-21 upset win to remind NFL gamblers that there are simply no sure things.

Miami returned home with a three-game winning streak to close out their home schedule with back-to-back games against the Jets and Tennessee . Miami had a new found respect as 8.5-point home chalks against New York and again proved that they were not yet ready for heavy lifting in a 24-20 win and pointspread failure. As more modest 5.5-point chalks against the Titans, Miami prevailed 24-10 to guarantee a .500 season.

The Dolphins carried a five-game straight up winning streak into New England for the season finale against the Patriots, who were installed as 7-point chalks despite having nothing to play for. Miami got the cash in a 28-26 win against the Pats backups to cap off a blistering finish to 2005.