Saints vs. Dolphins preview: Series history, notable stats for Week 13

Two of the worst teams in the NFL face off in Week 13 when the New Orleans travel to face the Miami Dolphins. The Saints sit at 2-9 after being handled easily by the Atlanta Falcons in the Superdome. Miami has a 4-7 record and is coming off a bye after winning two straight and three of their last four.

This game marks just the 14th time these franchises have ever met. It's just the fifth time the Saints and Dolphins will meet in the city of Miami. Here's a look back at the brief history between the teams.

Saints vs. Dolphins Series History

• Overall: 6-7

• Away: 2-3 (1-3 at Miami)

• Last 5 matchups: 3-2

• Longest winning streak: 3 by each team (Saints, 2009-17; Dolphins, 1970-80)

• Last meeting (2021): Dolphins (20-3)

• Last meeting in Miami (2009): Saints (46-34)

New Orleans and Miami first met in 1970. It was the fourth year of existence for the Saints and fifth year for the Dolphins. Miami was also in their first year under new coach Don Shula and would have their first winning season in 1970 with a 10-4 record. New Orleans was no match for the Dolphins in Week 9 of that season. Miami took a 21-10 victory behind 3 forced turnovers, a defensive touchdown, and a combined 257 scrimmage yards from the running back duo of Jim Kiick and Mercury Morris.

New Orleans would lose their first three meetings against the Dolphins, including two in Miami, through the 1980 campaign. The Saints would finally record their first win over Miami during the 1983 season. During Week 5 of that season in New Orleans, a rookie quarterback named Dan Marino came on in relief of ineffective starter David Woodley. Marino completed 12 of 22 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown. The Saints got 160 rushing yards from Wayne Wilson and intercepted the future Hall of Famer Marino, returning it for a touchdown in the Saints 17-7 victory.

That 1983 victory was the first of three victories over the Dolphins in the next four meetings between these teams through 1995. All four of those contests were in New Orleans, with two decided by less than five points. Their 1995 matchup was the second highest combined point total in the series. Dan Marino was sidelined with an injury when Miami visited New Orleans in Week 7, but backup Bernie Kosar threw for 368 yards and 3 touchdowns. New Orleans overcame that with five forced turnovers and 268 passing yards with 4 scores from quarterback Jim Everett in a 33-30 win.

The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 forced the Saints to play ''home'' games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge that season. Week 8 was their first of four games at the home of the LSU Tigers. Miami was the visiting squad. New Orleans hung tough in a season that was difficult beyond imagination, but the Dolphins got four field goals and a safety on this day to pull out a 21-14 victory despite 99 receiving yards from the Saints Joe Horn.

New Orleans last played in Miami during their Super Bowl championship season of 2009. The Saints rolled through their first five games without much trouble until visiting Miami in Week 7. Former Saint Ricky Williams had three rushing touchdowns as the Dolphins jumped to a 24-10 halftime lead and would have a 34-24 advantage after three quarters. Behind 298 passing yards and three touchdowns from Drew Brees, two on the ground, the Saints came roaring back in the second half. Darren Sharper and Tracy Porter each returned interceptions for touchdowns as the Saints scored 36 second half points, including 22 in the fourth quarter, to pull out a 46-34 victory.

Capping off the 2009-2010 season, the Saints made a return to Miami. That was for Super Bowl XLIV, where New Orleans beat the Indianapolis Colts by a 31-17 score to take the title. The Saints have not played in Miami since that Super Bowl. Technically, the Dolphins were the home team when they took on the Saints in London during Week 4 of the 2017 season. New Orleans took a 20-0 victory in that game while holding Miami to just 186 total yards.

Notable Numbers

• Drew Brees was 3-0 against the Dolphins during his career with the Saints. In those games, Brees averaged 326 passing yards with a 68.6% completion percentage with 7 passing and 2 rushing touchdowns.

• Alvin Kamara had his first career receiving touchdown against the Dolphins during their 2017 game in London. Kamara had 10 receptions for 71 yards in the victory.

• Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan has 4 sacks, 6 QB hits, and 2 tackles for loss in three career games against the Dolphins.

• Jordan missed the 2021 game against Miami, breaking a streak of 170 consecutive starts and 185 consecutive games played for the Saints, including playoffs.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints vs. Dolphins preview: Series history, notable stats for Week 13