The last time the Miami Dolphins hosted the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium, the home team opted to roll with a modern, all-white look with the AFC East title on the line.
Miami lost 21-14 and eventually settled for an AFC Wild Card spot. Ahead of Thursday, the Dolphins are ditching last year’s Week 18 gameday fit for something completely different.
What Will Dolphins’ TNF Uniforms Look Like?
The Dolphins are going old school ahead of what many have dubbed “Throwback Thursday.”
They’re busting out an aqua-themed look with the rival Bills in town, with Miami announcing its threads on Wednesday evening.
Throwback Night Football 😎 pic.twitter.com/iXSPydKguh
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 11, 2024
In addition to the social media post about the game-day look, the Dolphins released a hype video, captioned, “Our roots remain strong,” in helping promote their uniform look ahead of Thursday Night Football.
Our roots remain strong. pic.twitter.com/uSO225aZXE
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 11, 2024
Miami is taking advantage of the NFL rule that allows teams to wear either a classic, color rush, or alternate jersey before games — which gives every team including the Dolphins up to three different gameday fits to choose from ahead of regular season contests.
Why go with this look? The Dolphins want to honor franchise history by going with the alternate appearance.
History Behind Aqua-Themed Uniform
This TNF look will represent Miami’s first colors when the Dolphins made their debut to the football world. The franchise wore this color scheme back in 1966 when it started in the American Football League.
Of course, the white version of this uniform design was famously worn during the team’s historic 17-0 season of 1972, making the Dolphins the league’s only undefeated team ever, including the postseason.
Legendary Dolphins players wore these color designs during their run with Miami. That includes Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris, Bob Griese, Paul Warfield, and Nick Buoniconti.
Turns out one Dolphins star is a huge fan of the throwbacks.
“I love the throwback,” Jaylen Waddle said to reporters back in 2023. “Now if that was up to me, I’d definitely have that as our every-week jersey.”
Head coach Mike McDaniel also told reporters back in ’23 that the look gives his team an “iconic” feel for games.
Have the Dolphins Had Recent Success With the Uniform Look?
Perhaps going with the throwbacks will help Miami redeem itself from losing its chance at securing the division title. That’s because the Dolphins have claimed recent wins through this game-day fit. Miami wore the throwback colors twice last season — both resulted in victories.
One came on Oct. 29 against the New England Patriots, although it was through the white design of the old school look. Tua Tagovailoa tossed three touchdowns and racked up 324 passing yards, while Waddle led the way with 121 receiving yards in the 31-17 romp of the New England Patriots.
But the last official time Miami wore aqua as the primary uniform color, they toppled an NFC playoff team in a November showdown. Jason Sanders hit a last-second walk-off field goal to lift the Dolphins to a 22-20 road win over the Dallas Cowboys. Miami had to overcome a late Dallas rally with the road team up 19-10 to start the fourth quarter. Tyreek Hill led the receiving unit with nine catches for 99 yards.
Now, the Dolphins will aim to extend their winning streak to three when wearing the throwback attire.