Dolphins History Lesson: NFL Stat Leaders

The Miami Dolphins had two players lead the NFL in a statistical category in 2020

Alain Poupart | Jan 14, 2021

The Miami Dolphins put together what ultimately was a very successful 2020 season, even if it fell short of ending with a playoff berth.

In the process, several players put together impressive individual seasons, and in that vein it was cornerback Xavien Howard and kicker Jason Sanders who stood out.

Howard tied the single-season franchise record with an NFL-leading 10 interceptions, while Sanders tied for the league lead with 144 points and set a Dolphins single-season record for field goal accuracy (.923).

Howard and Sanders joined the list of Dolphins players who finished first (or tied for first) in a significant statistical category.

We run those down in reverse chronological order:

2020 — CB Xavien Howard (interceptions, 10); K Jason Sanders (scoring, 144 points*)

2018 — CB Xavien Howard (interceptions, 7*)

2017 — WR Jarvis Landry (receptions, 112)

2012 — P Brandon Fields (punting average, 50.2)

2002 — RB Ricky Williams (rushing yards, 1853); DE Jason Taylor (sacks, 18.5)

1999 — K Olindo Mare (field goals, 39); CB Sam Madison (interceptions, 7*)

1996 — RB Karim Abdul-Jabbar (touchdowns, 16); P John Kidd (punting average, 46.7)

1992 — QB Dan Marino (passing yards, 4116); K Pete Stoyanovich (scoring, 124 points; field goals, 30*)

1991 — K Pete Stoyanovich (field goals, 31*); P Reggie Roby (punting average, 45.7)

1998 — QB Dan Marino (passing yards, 4434); WR O.J. McDuffie (receptions, 90)

1986 — QB Dan Marino (TD passes, 44; passing yards, 4746)

1985 — QB Dan Marino (TD passes, 30; passing yards, 4137)

1984 — QB Dan Marino (TD passes, 48; passer rating, 108.9; passing yards, 5084); WR Mark Clayton (touchdowns, 18*)

1983 — KR Fulton Walker (kickoff return average, 26.7)

1977 — QB Bob Griese (TD passes, 22; passer rating, 87.8)

1976 — KR Duriel Harris (kickoff return average, 32.9)

1973 — S Dick Anderson (interceptions, 8*)

1971 — K Garo Yepremian (scoring, 117 points)

1967 — CB Dick Westmoreland (interceptions, 10*)

*-tied for league lead

Published Jan 14, 2021

ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of All Dolphins and co-host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press, the Dolphins team website, and the Fan Nation Network (part of Sports Illustrated). In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.