While we’ve witnessed the Miami Dolphins build on one season to the next — like Miami did last year going from five wins in 2019 to 10 wins in 2020 — witnessing a third consecutive season of growth that results in a winning product from South Florida’s beloved NFL franchise hasn’t happened since the 1996, 1997 and 1998 seasons.
During that stretch the Dolphins turned in an 8-8 season in 1996, went 9-7 in 1997, and then became a 10-6 playoff team in 1998 with Jimmy Johnson as the coach and Dan Marino at quarterback.
Since then, except for a one-game improvement in each of the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons, which eventually got the team to 8-8 in 2013, it has been a steady diet of one step forward and two steps back.