Top 5 games in Miami Dolphins history aren't always found in the win column
Michael Pinto, Bleacherreport:
Top 5 Greatest Games in Miami Dolphins History
5. January 6, 1985 Miami 45 Pittsburgh 28 AFC playoff game
4. September 4, 1994 Miami 39 New England 35
3. December 25, 1971 Miami 27 Kansas City 24 (2OT)
2. December 2, 1985 Miami 38 Chicago 24
1. January 14, 1973 Miami 14 Washington 7 Super Bowl VII
The list does not include the 1974 playoff game with the Oakland Raiders, a 28-26 loss. This was the miraculous catch by RB Clarence Davis in the final seconds on the desperation heave from QB Kenny Stabler. This stopped the two time defending Super Bowl Champions from advancing. John Madden was the Raiders coach, and Curt Gowdy was at the mike with Charley Jones and Al DeRogatis for NBC Sports.
Scott Fischer, Sun Sentinel:
"We had position, momentum, everything, when that happened,"” Pittsburgh coach Chuck Noll said. “"That changed the game.”"
The play was the 37 yard fake punt by Larry Seiple that kept alive the perfect season in 1972. The Dolphins went into Three Rivers Stadium and defeated the Steelers in the AFC Championship game, 21-17. This was not the first time that Seiple had called his own number without telling his teammates or coaches.
In a 1965 matchup between Kentucky and Ole Miss, Kentucky Wildcats punter, Larry Seiple faked a punt on 4th and 41, and ran for a 70 yard touchdown. Chuck Noll was worried more about Jim Kiick and Larry Csonka than Larry Seiple in controlling the Dolphins running game.
Our top five can not include all wins for the Dolphins. Losses can be just as significant.
5. September 12, 2011 - New England 38 Miami 24
The game featured over 900 yards pssing with Miami QB Chad Henne tossing for 416 yards. Tom Brady passed for 517 yards and four touchdowns on this Monday night game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami. One of the touchdowns goes for 99 yards to WR Wes Welker. This shatters the passing record for most yards in a game between the Patriots and Dolphins. It was held previously by Dan Marino with 494 yards on September 4, 1994 in a 39-35 Miami win over New England.
4. December 12, 1982 - New England 3 Miami 0
This is most exciting 3-0 final in NFL history. Snow Bowl Game.
Wikipedia:
The night before this game, heavy rains had soaked the Astroturf surface at New England's Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. This quickly froze over. To make matters worse, a heavy snowstorm had begun shortly after the game began. As a result, an emergency ground rule had been established for this game: the officials could call time-out, and allow the ground crew to use a snowplow to clear the yard markers. Despite this rule, the ground crew could not plow often enough to keep the field clear. The two teams remained scoreless late into the fourth quarter. With 4:45 left to go in the game and on-field conditions worsening, Patriots coach Ron Meyer ordered snowplow operator Mark Henderson to clear a spot on the field specifically for placekicker John Smith. At first, no one had thought it suspicious, assuming that the plow would go straight across, and allow for a more accurate measurement (which turned out to be 33 yards). Instead, the plow veered left, directly in front of the goal post, giving Smith a clean spot from which to kick. Matt Cavanaugh held for the kick.
3. January 12, 1986 - New England 31 Miami 14
Following another heartbreaking loss in Miami on December 16, 1985, the Patriots reeled off wins over the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets and Oakland Raiders. The AFC Championship game was played in Miami. The Patriots new slogan was " Squish the fish." Credit should probably go to legendary talk show host, Eddie Andelman. The Patriots forced six Miami turnovers on their way to a 31-14 rout of the Dolphins. Patriots QB Tony Eason had the best game of his career with two touchdown passes. The running of Tony Collins, Andy Johnson and Mosi Tatupu along with the excellent play on the offensive line broke the long drought in the Orange Bowl. AFC Championship tee shirts with the Dolphins logo were going for two for $5.00 after the game.
2. December 8, 1980 - Miami 16 New England 13 (OT)
Jeff Ausiello, ESPN:
There were three seconds left in the game, score tied at 13, and million of viewers watching "Monday Night Football" as New England Patriots kicker John Smith trotted onto the Orange Bowl field. Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell called the famous "Monday Night Football" game the night John Lennon was shot and killed.
For those who remember the next few moments of that night, Dec. 8, 1980, Smith and the game itself have become historical and cultural markers overshadowed by but forever connected to Howard Cosell's announcement that John Lennon had been shot and killed.
"I was upset and mad because we didn't make the kick, and I was also thinking, 'What the heck happened up front with our offensive line?'" recalled Smith, 60. It was not until reporters entered the locker room that the players found out about Lennon.
"The press was talking about two things: the fact that we'd lost the game and we had a lead in the fourth quarter, and then it changed to John Lennon," Smith said. "It put things in perspective."
Patriots John Smith had his field goal blocked at the end of regulation. Miami took the ball in overtime and marched right down the field. Dolphins QB David Woodley completed a long pass to WR Jimmy Cefalo on a blown New England defensive coverage. The Dolphins kicked a chipshot field goal for the 16-13 OT win.
1. January 2, 1982 - San Diego 41 Miami 38 (OT)
This game is rated the second best game in NFL history. It trails only the 1958 NFL Championship game between the New York Giants and Baltimore Colts. The Colts won that game in overtime, 23-17. While that game may have more significance in history, it was not nearly as exciting.
ProFootball Hall of Fame::
The Chargers had Dan Fouts throwing to Winslow and Charlie Joiner, a future Canton triumvirate that was the heart of a Don Coryell offense so deep and gifted, it ranked among the most explosive in league history.
The problem, of course, was the San Diego defense, which had holes big enough to house all of Don Shula's glittering trophies. So even when the Chargers raced off to that 24-0 first-period lead, they had to know it wasn't safe.
It's called the hook-and-ladder, and Duriel Harris' 15-yard reception and ensuing lateral to trailing Tony Nathan after the pass from QB Don Strock produced a 40-yard touchdown that closed the gap to 24-17 and set the stage for a theatrical second half.
Funtrivia:
Besides catching 13 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, which other important contribution did San Diego tight end Kellen Winslow make in the game?
Blocked a field goal at the end of regulation time that would have won the game for the Dolphins. After the Chargers tied the score at 38 with under a minute to go, Strock rushed the Dolphins down the field to the Charger 26, from which they attempted a 43-yard field goal that would have won the game. Winslow got enough height to block the kick, forcing overtime. He then suffered several minutes of cramps up his entire body from dehydration and the stretching to block the kick. Winslow literally needed his teammates' help to walk off the field several times during the game, and took several hits of oxygen. The temperature and humidity, both around 85%, took a massive toll on all the players, but probably none more than Winslow. "I've never felt so close to death before", he said after the game, paraphrasing Muhammad Ali after one of his fights with Joe Frazier.
The game was over when San Diego Charger's kicker Rolf Benirschke booted a 29 yard field goal near the end of the first overtime. Benirschke had missed two years of his NFL career due to Ultercative Colitis which had caused his weight to drop to 124.
Even though the Miami Dolphins did not win, I believe it is the best game that their team ever played in. This would include their wins in Super Bowl VI and VII.
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.
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