The 2016 Miami Dolphins season entered the year under a cloud of transition with first-time head coach Adam Gase brought in to unlock quarterback Ryan Tannehill and break an eight-year playoff drought. High-profile free agent additions like defensive end Mario Williams and safety Isa Abdul-Quddus joined a roster that also infused young talent via the draft with tackle Laremy Tunsil, cornerback Xavien Howard, and running back Kenyan Drake. Early on, the Gase era threatened to derail completely after a brutal 1-4 start exposed serious team vulnerabilities. However, a stunning midseason turnaround propelled the Dolphins to a 10-6 record, securing a second-place finish in the AFC East and a highly unexpected wildcard berth.

The offense finished the regular season ranked 17th in scoring (22.7 ppg) and 24th in total yards, operating as a opportunistic unit that leaned heavily on a physical ground game. Ryan Tannehill completed 67.1% of his passes for 2,995 yards, throwing 19 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in 13 starts before a knee injury sidelined him. Breakout running back Jay Ajayi became the engine of the offense, punishing defenses for 1,272 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on his way to a Pro Bowl selection. Wide receiver Jarvis Landry remained the reliable chain-mover by hauling in 94 receptions for 1,136 yards, while Kenny Stills provided a dangerous vertical element with a team-high 17.3 yards per reception and nine receiving scores.

Defensively, the Dolphins were far from a lockdown group, finishing the regular season ranked 18th in points allowed (23.8 ppg) and a concerning 29th in total yards. The unit compensated by being incredibly opportunistic, generating 25 total turnovers to mask a run defense that ranked 30th in yards allowed. The front seven was anchored by defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who racked up 72 combined tackles, five sacks, and 17 quarterback hits. Veteran pass rusher Cameron Wake enjoyed a spectacular comeback year by registering 11.5 sacks and five forced fumbles, while linebacker Kiko Alonso led the defense with 115 combined tackles and four fumble recoveries.

The turning point of the campaign arrived in Week 6 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where a dominant 30-15 victory ignited a scorching six-game winning streak. During this stretch, Ajayi achieved rare historical ground by logging back-to-back 200-yard rushing performances against Pittsburgh and the Buffalo Bills. Another crucial juncture came in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals; despite losing Tannehill to a season-ending injury, backup Matt Moore stepped in to secure a 26-23 victory. Moore then guided the team through the final stretch, including a thrilling 34-31 overtime win in Buffalo on Christmas Eve that effectively sealed their playoff ticket.

Miami postseason return was short-lived, as an injury-depleted squad suffered a 30-12 defeat against the Steelers in the wildcard round. Moore threw for 289 yards but was harassed constantly by the Pittsburgh pass rush, while Ajayi was held to just 33 yards on 16 carries. Nationally, the legacy of the 2016 Dolphins remains a testament to Gase overachieving coaching debut and Wake's inspiring recovery, which earned him runner-up Comeback Player of the Year . Though they failed to win a playoff game, this gritty squad provided South Florida with its most exciting and meaningful football in nearly a decade.