Guide Note:

The Miami Dolphins defeated the Washington Redskins 14-7 in Super Bowl VII. The victory gave the Dolphins an undefeated and untied season, the only one in the modern era of professional football. Two other NFL teams before the Dolphins had finished a regular season undefeated, but both, the 1934 and 1942 Chicago Bears lost in NFL Championship Games. Since 1972, only one team, the 2007 New England Patriots went through the regular season undefeated, but lost in Super Bowl XLII. Dolphins safety Jake Scott recorded two interceptions and was named the Most Valuable Player of the game. The only Redskins score came after a botched field goal attempt by the Dolphins, where the kick was blocked and bounced back to placekicker Garo Yepremian. In one of the all-time blooper plays, Yepremian's forward pass attempt bounced off his helmet, and then he batted it up in the air, where Washington's Mike Bass intercepted it and ran it back for a touchdown.

Fast Facts

1. January 14, 1973
2. Site: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
3. Location: Los Angeles
4. Attendance: 90,182
5. MVP: Jake Scott
6. Television: NBC

Dolphins of the Sea

After reaching Super Bowl VI the year before, and losing to Dallas, Dolphins coach Don Shula privately vowed to his team that they would not lose a game in 1972. Despite losing quarterback Bob Griese for much of the season due to a leg injury, Miami was able to accomplish a perfect season due to their dominance in two main areas. On defense, they were led by the "No Name Defense", a suffocating group led by middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti, defensive tackle Manny Fernandez, and safeties Jake Scott and Dick Anderson. On offense, the Dolphins utilized a punishing ground attack, led by Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris, both of whom gained over 1,000 yards rushing on the season. This marked the first time in league history that two teammates rushed for over 1,000 yards each in the same season.

Miami Playoff Machine

After completing a 14-0 regular season, the Dolphins would be tested in the post-season. They rallied to defeat the Cleveland Browns in the divisional round, and then topped the upstart Pittsburgh Steelers 21-17 in the AFC Championship Game. The Steelers reached that game by defeating Oakland 10-7 on the Immaculate Reception as Franco Harris caught a deflected pass and scored a touchdown as time expired.

Over the Hill Gang

After several successful season running the Los Angeles Rams, George Allen took over the Redskins in 1971. In his second season, Allen led Washington to an 11-3 record and the NFC East title. Allen made numerous trades to bring in many veteran players, leading the media to nickname his team "The Over the Hill Gang". In the post-season, the Redskins defeated the Green Bay Packers 16-3 and then the defending Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys 26-3 in the NFC Championship Game.

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