1973 Miami Dolphins: Repeat Performance

1973 Miami Dolphins: Repeat Performance

[paypal_donation_button] 1973 Miami Dolphins: Repeat Performance

Following their undefeated 1972 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins were poised to go on a similar run in 1973 as most of the same faces on their roster from the previous year had returned. However, the Dolphins would not go undefeated in 1973 as they finished 12-2, still winning the AFC East division by 3 games over the Buffalo Bills. While he was injured for most of 1972, quarterback Bob Griese stayed healthy in 1973 and started 13 of 14 regular season games, completing 116 of 218 pass attempts for 1,422 yards and having 17 touchdown passes.

Fullback Larry Csonka pounded the ball hard on the ground once again, having 1,003 yards off 219 rushing attempts and had 5 rushing touchdowns. Running back Mercury Morris had 954 yards off 149 rushing attempts and had 10 rushing touchdowns. As a kick returner on special teams, Morris had 11 returns for 251 yards while fellow running back Charlie Leigh had 9 returns for 251 yards. Running back Jim Kiick had 27 receptions for 208 yards.

Wide receiver Marlin Briscoe had 30 receptions for 447 yards and 2 touchdowns. Paul Warfield had 29 receptions for 514 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jim Mandich had 24 receptions for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The “No Name Defense” remained in tact for Miami as they remained strong throughout the 1973 season. Free safety Dick Anderson led the team in interceptions with 8, and had 163 interception return yards for 2 touchdowns. Strong safety Jake Scott had 4 interceptions for 71 yards. Cornerbacks Curtis Johnson and Tim Foley and linebacker Mike Kolen each had 2 interceptions. Linebacker Larry Ball, defensive back Henry Stuckey and outside linebacker Doug Swift each had 1 interception. Linebacker Nick Buoniconti had 3 fumble recoveries and returned one for a touchdown.

The quest for another undefeated season quickly ended for the Dolphins in Week 2 on September 23 against the Oakland Raiders as they lost 12-7, and they would lose again in Week 13 on December 9 to the Baltimore Colts by the score of 16-3. However, in between of those 2 losses came a strong 10-game winning streak for the Dolphins which began with a 44-23 victory over the New England Patriots on September 30 in Week 3, and ended in Week 12 on December 3 with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers by the score of 30-26. The most impressive victory the Dolphins had during this time would be their 44-0 shutout of the Baltimore Colts in Week 9 on November 11.

The Dolphins would play the Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on December 23, and the Dolphins prevailed with a 34-16 win. Mercury Morris had 106 yards off 20 rushing attempts and had 1 rushing touchdown. Larry Csonka had 71 yards off 20 rushing attempts. Jim Kiick had 51 yards off 10 rushing attempts. Bob Griese went 11 for 18 in pass attempts for 159 yards, 2 touchdowns and only 1 interception. Paul Warfield had 4 receptions for 95 yards and caught 1 touchdown pass. Jim Mandich had 3 receptions for 28 yards and caught 1 touchdown pass.

In the 1st quarter Griese connected with Warfield for a 13-yard touchdown pass, and then Larry Csonka had a 1-yard touchdown run. In the 2nd quarter Morris punched in a touchdown with a 4-yard run, and then in the 3rd quarter Griese threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Mandich.

In the AFC Championship Game on December 30, the Dolphins defeated the Oakland Raiders 27-10, and Larry Csonka had a field day, having 117 yards off 29 rushing attempts and scoring 3 touchdowns. Mercury Morris had 86 yards off 14 rushing attempts to help Csonka. In the 1st quarter Csonka had an 11-yard touchdown run. In the 2nd and 4th quarters Csonka would have a pair of 2-yard touchdown runs.

Going to Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas for Super Bowl VIII, The Miami Dolphins would face the NFC Champion Minnesota Vikings on January 13, 1974 in what appeared to be a battle of tough defenses. The No Name Defense and the Purple People Eaters would be on opposite sidelines. In the 1st quarter Larry Csonka had a 5-yard touchdown run to put the Dolphins ahead 7-0, and then Jim Kiick had a 1-yard touchdown run to extend the Miami lead to 14-0. Kicker Gano Yepremian kicked a 28-yard field goal to extend the Miami lead again to 17-0.

Csonka came back in the 3rd quarter to punch the ball into the endzone from 2 yards out to give the Dolphins a commanding 24-0 lead. Known for his guts and determination and his ability to improvise on plays that broke down, Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton had a 4-yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter. However, that would be the only score for Minnesota as the Miami Dolphins successfully repeated as Super Bowl Champions, winning Super Bowl VIII by the score of 24-7.

After the conclusion of the 1st quarter, Miami had run 20 plays for 118 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns, converting 8 first downs along the way. Selected as the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, Larry Csonka had 145 yards off 33 rushing attempts for the game. Curtis Johnson would have 1 interception, and the No Name Defense came up big on one Minnesota drive in the 2nd quarter.

In a drive that lasted 13 plays, with 1:46 remaining until halftime Fran Tarkenton had an 8-yard run on first down, and then Vikings running back Oscar Reed lost a yard on second down. Reed would then gain back 2 yards on a third down run, and then Vikings head coach Bud Grant decided to go for it on fourth down and inches. Reed would run the ball again, but would get hit by Mike Buoniconti and fumble the ball. Jake Scott would make the key fumble recovery, which would be an indicator of a long day for Minnesota.

Although they weren’t undefeated, the 1973 Miami Dolphins are said to be a better quality team than the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins because of the tougher schedule they played, which included games against playoff teams in the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Dallas Cowboys. The Dolphins gave up fewer points on defense in 1973 than they did in 1972.