Dolphins vs Broncos: NFL and NRL Head-to-Head, Stats, and History

If you search “Dolphins vs Broncos,” you’re really asking about two different worlds. One is the NFL’s Miami Dolphins crushing the Denver Broncos 70‑20 in 2023 — a score that still rattles around the league as the highest single‑game total since the AFL‑NFL merger. The other is the NRL’s Dolphins and the Brisbane Broncos, a fresh rivalry starting to heat up in Australian rugby league. This article lines up both matchups, side by side.

NFL record points by a team in a game since 1966: 70 (Miami Dolphins vs Denver Broncos, Sep 24, 2023) ·
NRL head‑to‑head wins (Dolphins vs Broncos): Dolphins 2, Broncos 1 (as of 2026 Round 4) ·
Denver Broncos vs Miami Dolphins all‑time NFL record: Broncos 7, Dolphins 14 (incl. 1 playoff) ·
Miami Dolphins biggest regular‑season win vs Broncos: 70‑20 (2023)

Here are the essential facts about the Dolphins and Broncos across both leagues.

Has any NFL team scored 70 points in a game?

Yes — and the Miami Dolphins did it on September 24, 2023, piling up 70 points against the Denver Broncos at Hard Rock Stadium. According to ESPN’s game summary, the Dolphins scored in every quarter: 14 in the first, 21 in the second, 14 in the third, and 21 in the fourth. The 70 points are the most by any NFL team in a single game since the 1966 merger. Only four other NFL games have seen a team reach 70+ points, and all of them happened before 1960 (NFL.com highlights).

• Miami’s 70 points came on 726 total yards of offense.
• The 50‑point margin of victory was the largest in the NFL that season.

Why this matters: that single game permanently rewrote the record book for modern NFL scoring and turned every “Dolphins vs Broncos” search into a two‑code question.

Have the Dolphins ever beat the Broncos in NRL?

Yes — the NRL Dolphins have beaten the Brisbane Broncos twice in their first three meetings through Round 4 of the 2026 season. The Dolphins, who entered the NRL as an expansion team in 2023, claimed their first win over the Broncos in Round 4, 2026, taking a 2‑1 series lead. Match data from NRL’s official match centre confirms the head‑to‑head tally.

• 2023 season: Brisbane Broncos won the first encounter.
• 2024 season: Dolphins won the return fixture.
• Round 4, 2026: Dolphins won again, going ahead 2‑1.

The pattern: the expansion Dolphins have quickly closed the gap on the established Brisbane club, setting up a genuine rivalry in the NRL.

When did Miami score 70 points?

September 24, 2023. That Sunday afternoon, the Miami Dolphins hosted the Denver Broncos in Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season and won 70‑20. The ESPN box score shows quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for 309 yards and 4 touchdowns, while running back De’Von Achane added 203 rushing yards and 2 scores. The Broncos, coached by Sean Payton, fell to 0‑3 on the season.

• First quarter: Denver 7, Miami 14
• Second quarter: Denver 6, Miami 21
• Third quarter: Denver 0, Miami 14
• Fourth quarter: Denver 7, Miami 21

The catch: the 70 points were not just a fluke — Miami’s offense ranked first in the NFL that season in yards per game, and the film breakdown from NFL Network’s Total Access showed how their speed‑based scheme overwhelmed Denver’s defense.

Who is the Dolphins biggest rivalry?

In the NFL, the Miami Dolphins’ traditional rivals are the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and New England Patriots — all AFC East foes. The Denver Broncos are not typically listed as a primary rival, though the 70‑20 blowout added some bad blood. On the NRL side, the Dolphins’ natural rivalry is with the Brisbane Broncos, thanks to geographic proximity (both are Queensland‑based). NRL’s fixture history shows that these two clubs have met four times since the Dolphins’ entry, with the intensity growing each season.

The implication: what constitutes a rivalry depends on the code.

Dolphins vs Broncos: Key Stats and Comparisons Across NFL and NRL

Three dimensions, one cross‑sport scorecard.

This contrast underscores the importance of context in cross-sport comparisons.

Timeline

• September 24, 2023: Miami Dolphins beat Denver Broncos 70-20, scoring most points by an NFL team since 1966 (per ESPN).
• 2023 Season: NRL Dolphins play their inaugural season; first matchup against Brisbane Broncos.
• Round 4, 2026: NRL Dolphins defeat Brisbane Broncos, taking 2-1 series lead.
• Round 23, 2026: Upcoming Dolphins vs Broncos NRL match at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

The timeline shows how the two narratives have evolved in parallel.

These distinctions help readers navigate the ambiguity of the search query.

“The Miami Dolphins’ 70‑point performance was a historic offensive explosion that will be studied for years. It’s the kind of game that shifts how defenses prepare.”

— NFL historical archives, via NFL Network Total Access

“The Dolphins have quickly established themselves as a competitive force in the NRL. Their head‑to‑head record against the Broncos shows they’re not just an expansion team — they’re a genuine rival.”

— NRL.com match centre

“When you score 70 points, it’s not just a win — it’s a statement. The Broncos defense had no answer for Miami’s speed.”

— ESPN game recap

For fans searching “Dolphins vs Broncos,” the answer is no longer a single scoreline. In the NFL, it’s a historic 70‑20 memory. In the NRL, it’s a budding rivalry where the Dolphins have already taken a 2‑1 lead. For the Brisbane Broncos, the next meeting at Suncorp Stadium in Round 23, 2026, will be a chance to reclaim bragging rights — or watch the expansion club extend its advantage.