1972 MIAMI DOLPHINS

Backstory
In Don Shula’s second year as coach, the 1971 Dolphins improved from 4-10 to 10-3-1 and advanced to the Super Bowl, losing in Dallas. Entering only its seventh season as a franchise, expectations were high for Miami in 1972.

The regular season
Miami rushed for a record 2,960 yards and become the first team to have two rushers with 1,000 yards or more — Larry Csonka (1,117) and Mercury Morris (1,000). The total was partly due to talent — the Dolphins had run for nearly 2,500 yards in 1971. But it was also a necessity. Quarterback Bob Griese suffered a broken leg in the season’s fifth game, so 38-year-old Earl Morrall, Johnny Unitas’ old backup, was called upon to come in, hand off, and essentially not screw up. It’s a tribute to the job he did and the unreliability of most passing games of that era that Morrall could be named an All-Pro for going 83-of-150 for 1,360 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The offense led the league with 385 points, while the starless, “No-Name” defense gave up a league-low 171. Then again, those defenders had names after six became All-Pros — linebacker Nick Buoniconti, defensive linemen Manny Fernandez, Vern Den Herder and Bill Stanfill, and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott

One of the biggest knocks against naming the 1972 Dolphins the greatest NFL team of all time was its schedule. It opponents finished 1972 a collective .375, and only two opponents had winning records. But the schedule looked difficult until Kansas City, Minnesota and Baltimore tanked in 1972. Minnesota, in Week 3, was Miami’s closest call. It had to rally from eight points down with four minutes to go to pull out a 16-14 victory.

The postseason
The Dolphins’ weak schedule was derided even in 1972, and there was some thought the playoffs would expose Miami. Instead, they pulled out close wins over Cleveland, Pittsburgh and, in the Super Bowl (which Griese started), Washington to become the first undefeated, untied championship team in NFL history. But it probably didn’t help the Dolphins’ legacy that their 14-7 Super Bowl victory is most famous for kicker Garo Yepremian’s ghastly pass, brought back for a touchdown by Washington, after a blocked field goal.

Postscript
The 1972 Dolphins are often portrayed as grumpy old men, celebrating any undefeated team’s first loss and otherwise beating their arthritic chests about their accomplishment. But whatever the schedule, having a perfect season in the NFL is a difficult feat, and worthy of respect. So could you please stop being grumpy old men, now, 1972 Dolphins?

The greatest regular seasons ever Introduction 1934 Chicago Bears 1971-'72 Los Angeles Lakers 1972 Miami Dolphins 1976-'77 Montreal Canadiens 1979-'80 Philadelphia Flyers 1990-'91 UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 1995 Nebraska Cornhuskers 1995-'96 Chicago Bulls 1997-'98 Tennessee Lady Vols 2001 Seattle Mariners 2003-04 Arsenal FC VOTE: Which was most impressive?

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Steelers’ playoff future slipping away Chiefs pull off K.C. masterpiece, stun Steelers Bengals botch chances, lead in loss to Raiders Eagles shake off close losses, edge Bears Pats stifle Jets, take 2-game lead in AFC East   Video: Patriots make a statement Saints move to 10-0, but ‘haven’t peaked yet’ Colts survive vs. Ravens by a ‘small margin’ Chargers rout Broncos, move atop AFC West Giants boot Falcons in OT, stop 4-game slide NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: