Reflecting on the Great Miami Dolphins Teams

In this week before the Super Bowl, I want to talk about the great Miami Dolphins teams of the early 1970’s and specifically about their best team, the (12-2) 1973 team.

What? A (12-2) team better than the 1972 undefeated team?!!

In my opinion and to members of both the ’72 and ’73 teams, to the man, yes the 1973 team was better. Each was great but the 1973 team dominated in all of its three playoff games (a true barometer) was better.

The era itself (1970-1974) is one of the greatest in NFL history. In 1970 in their first year under Don Shula, whose 4 Super Bowl losses ties him with Bud Grant and Marv Levy for the most, Miami was the lone AFC wild card team.

In 1971 they made the Super Bowl, losing to the Dallas Cowboys (who finally won it all in their 6th straight playoffs appearance).

Then in 1972, the Dolphins went (17-0) and won it all, topping the Redskins in the Super Bowl. In the playoffs they struggled in all three games, which was not the case with the 1973 team.

That 1973 team lost but one meaningful game and were dominant in the playoffs, going on to beat the Vikings in the Super Bowl. That is why they get the nod as the best Dolphins team.

By the way, in 1974, the Dolphins showed me a great deal in defeat, when they lost at Oakland to the Raiders in the divisional round of the playoffs.

In conclusion, the Dolphins of the early 1970’s were one of the great teams in the NFL, and in all of sports history. Their undefeated team (1972) was great, and their next team (1973), though not undefeated, was better, making the era of Dolphins greatness very special.