It’s been a long time since the Miami Dolphins were consistent contenders, having not won a Super Bowl since 1974.
The organization, established in 1966 (AFL), produced one of the league’s most successful teams during its early days, but has provided sparser moments of glory since.
Let’s revisit five of the greatest Dolphins moments (not involving Ace Ventura).
5. Don Shula Breaks the Coaching Wins Record, 1993
The late, great Shula helmed the Fins for an unparalleled 26 seasons (1970-95), a feat that seems utterly impossible in the modern coaching landscape.
Shula defines the Dolphins (no offense to Dan Marino), retiring with a .659 career winning percentage in Miami and two Super Bowl rings. After a 19-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, his 325th, he became the NFL’s all-time winningest head coach, and remains so today.
4. Dan Marino’s Fake Spike, 1994
Down 24-6 to the New York Jets in Week 13, Miami’s postseason hopes looked all but doomed.
Instead, Marino ushered an improbable comeback, punctuated by his fake spike straight out of Madden, resulting in the game-winning eight-yard touchdown pass to Mark Ingram (Ingram’s fourth score of the game).
Bold, genius, and fun improvisation from the franchise’s greatest player.
3. Chad Pennington’s Revenge, 2008
Week 17 of the Matt Cassell Season. A winner-takes-the-AFC-East matchup between the Dolphins and Jets. Pennington—who had been waived pre-season after enduring eight seasons and multiple shoulder surgeries with Gang Green to make room for 38-year old Brett Favre—got his sweet revenge.
Pennington had led a Dolphins team that had gone 1-15 the season prior to a 10-5 record and capped off the historic turnaround with a 24-17 victory at the Meadowlands. Pennington went 22 of 30 for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns and finished second in MVP voting, while Favre ended the season with shoulder issues.
The win tied the 2008 Dolphins with the 1999 Indianapolis Colts for the biggest one-season turnaround in NFL history.
2. Dolphins Go Back-to-Back
There was no (football) hangover after the perfect season in Miami, as the Dolphins carried the momentum straight through the 1973 campaign.
The ’73 edition went 12-2 and defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 24-7, in Super Bowl VII. Quarterback Bob Griese absolutely lit it up, going 6 of 7 for 73 yards.
As per usual, the Fins conducted most of its business on the ground, with All-Pro running back Larry Csonka rolling for 145 yards and 2 TDs.
1. ’72 Dolphins Cap the Perfect Season
In just the franchise’s third season in the NFL, they produced the greatest season in league history. Led by Shula, Griese, substitute 38-year old quarterback Earl Morrall (whom the team had claimed on waivers for $100), and Csonka, the Dolphins rolled to a 14-0 regular season record, then coasted to a 17-0 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.
Behind an offensive line featuring Hall of Famers Jim Langer and Larry Little (and Pro Bowler Norm Evans), Csonka and Mercury Morris each rushed for over 1,000 yards—the first teammates to accomplish the feat.
Morrall had admirably subbed for Griese since a Week 5 broken ankle, only for Griese to take back the reins in the second half of the AFC Championship Game. Griese got the Super Bowl start, too, going 8/11, for 88 yards, with 1 TD, 1 INT. Csonka rushed for 112 yards of 15 carries. Safety Jake Scott earned MVP honors after picking off two Fran Tarkenton passes.
To this day, members of the ‘72 Dolphins team still gleefully pop champagne when the final undefeated team suffers its first loss on the season.
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