15-Year Phiniversary: In Relief, Fiedler Leads Comeback vs. Redskins

The attention this week for the Miami Dolphins is on the Indianapolis Colts, but on this day 15 years ago came a memorable comeback sparked by a relief appearance from a quarterback nursing an injury.

The Dolphins were 6-4 and fighting for their playoff lives as they hosted the 4-6 Washington Redskins on Sunday Night Football on Nov. 23, 2003. It was the first time ever that the Dolphins had worn orange jerseys, but it was a familiar look that ultimately turned the tide in a 24-23 win for Miami.

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Quarterback Jay Fiedler had missed more than a month with a sprained knee and rather than go back to an unhealthy Fiedler, Miami stuck with Brian Griese as its starter. Things started well for Griese as he connected with James McKnight for an 80-yard touchdown on the opening drive for the Dolphins, but that's about where the success stopped.

Aside from that throw, Griese was just 7-for-12 for 53 yards and two interceptions. After John Hall's third field goal of the night late in the third quarter gave Washington a 23-10 lead at Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins' head coach Dave Wannstedt decided it was time for a change.

In his first action since Oct. 19, Fiedler was put back in the game and proceeded to lead consecutive touchdown drives. After Ricky Williams' 1-yard touchdown run cut the lead to six with 10:45 to play, Williams put Miami ahead for good with a 24-yard touchdown run with 4:19 remaining.

From there, the Miami defense did the rest. Safety Brock Marion intercepted Washington's Tim Hasselbeck with 2:15 to play. The Redskins did get a defensive stop, but returner Patrick Johnson muffed Matt Turk's punt and Miami recovered to seal the victory.

Fiedler's numbers weren't eye-popping, but he did provide a spark, going 5-for-10 with 59 yards passing. Williams rushed for 107 yards in the victory while Jason Taylor finished with two sacks for the Dolphins' defense.

The win, at the time, served as the largest fourth-quarter comeback for the Dolphins since 1980. It came on this day 15 years ago.

Mike Ferguson is the founder of Days of Dolphins Past. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.