Super Bowl VIII

The Miami Dolphins defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-7 in Super Bowl VIII. The Dolphins joined the Green Bay Packers as the only franchises to win consecutive Super Bowl championships. Many experts feel that this Dolphins team was actually better than the previous year's undefeated team. Many point to the fact that the 1973 Dolphins played a tougher schedule which included five games against playoff teams. In the Super Bowl, the Dolphins simply overwhelmed the Vikings. They attempted just seven passes, the fewest in Super Bowl history, as Larry Csonka scored two rushing touchdowns and gained 145 yards rushing. Csonka was named Most Valuable Player of the game. This game also marked the first time the Super Bowl was not hosted in either Los Angeles, Miami, or New Orleans.

Minnesota? Try "Major"-sota

The Vikings had qualified for post-season play in two of the three seasons since losing Super Bowl IV, but they were unable to reach the Super Bowl. So before the 1973 season, they re-acquired quarterback Fran Tarkenton from the New York Giants, and added speedy wide receiver John Gilliam from St. Louis. The Vikings, however, were still led by their outstanding defensive unit, and following a 12-2 regular season, they defeated both the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs.

Dolphins Destiny

Miami's winning streak reached 18 straight with a season opening win before finally losing to Oakland. They also twice defeated division rival Buffalo that season. This was the season in which Buffalo's O.J. Simpson became the first player to gain more than 2,000 yards rushing in a single season. The Dolphins went 12-2 in the regular season, then in the playoffs they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals before avenging their earlier loss to Oakland.