Five snapshots from the Dolphins-Broncos series …
1. Sept. 29, 1985 — Two years after they highlighted the QB Class of '83, Dan Marino and John Elway met in the first of what would be only two regular season matchups. Marino easily won this contest, as he threw for 390 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-26 Dolphins victory at Mile High Stadium. The Dolphins defense held Elway to 250 passing yards with no touchdowns, and also recorded one interception and three sacks.
2. Dec. 21, 1998 — The second Marino-Elway matchup took place in a Monday night game in Miami, one week after the Broncos' quest for a perfect regular season ended at 13-0. The Dolphins fell behind 10-0 in the second quarter, but Marino and Lamar Thomas took over as they connected for three touchdown passes. For good measure, Marino had a fourth touchdown pass, that one to Oronde Gadsden, in a 31-21 Dolphins victory.
3. Sept. 13, 1999 — The Dolphins were selected as the opponents for the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Broncos in the first game after Elway retired. It didn't turn out well for Denver. The Dolphins spotted the Broncos an early 7-0 lead before outscoring them 38-7 until a last-minute Denver touchdown. The Dolphins' last score in their 38-21 victory was a fumble return by Jason Taylor.
4. Oct. 13, 2002 — This Sunday night game at Mile High Stadium was a classic between two teams that came in with a 4-1 record. Denver led 12-7 heading into what became a dramatic fourth quarter. Patrick Surtain gave the Dolphins a 21-12 lead with a 40-yard interception return, but the game was decided in the final minute when Olindo Mare answered Jason Elam's 55-yard field goal with a 53-yard field goal to give the Dolphins a 24-22 victory.
5. Sept. 11, 2005 — The Dolphins opened the 2005 season at home against the Denver Broncos, and Nick Saban's debut as Miami head coach was one to remember. The Dolphins turned a 13-3 fourth-quarter lead into a 34-10 victory thanks to a 60-yard touchdown pass from Gus Frerotte to Marty Booker and an 85-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Jason Taylor on the final play of the game.
