Best Three-Year Run

[SF Dolphin Fan]

There's always a lot of talk about the 1972 Dolphins being the best team ever. While I believe that perfection speaks for itself, I'd also go one step further and say that Miami had the best three-year run in the history of the NFL. From 1971-73, the Dolphins appeared in three straight super bowls, had an undefeated season, and an overall record of 44-6-1. During the undefeated season, the Holy Grail of NFL team accomplishments, Miami became the first team ever to lead the league in total offense, total defense, fewest points allowed and most points scored in the same season. The 1985 Bears came the closest to matching that. The following season, the Dolphins rolled off 11 straight wins at one stretch and outscored their postseason opponents 85-30. In one of the most dominating first halfs in super bowl history, Miami held Minnesota without a first down for more than a quarter and a half winning 24-7. In advancing to three straight super bowls, the Dolphins had to win each year on the road as there was no home field advantage back then. Winning on the road is always difficult, especially in the playoffs. Miami's run ended the next season. After finishing the regular season 11-3, the Dolphins lost at Oakland 28-26 in a back and forth game that is considered one of the best ever played. The World Football League then signed Paul Warfield, Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. That would be like the 49ers losing Jerry Rice, Roger Craig and Tom Rathman (sp) during their peak, or the Steelers losing Lynn Swan, Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier.

 

[stevec]

Although I hate to say it...the Bills going to 4 straight super bowls is pretty impressive. Now...we won 2 out of 3 and they won 0 out of 4 so I agree with your 3 year run!

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

Although I hate to say it...the Bills going to 4 straight super bowls is pretty impressive. Now...we won 2 out of 3 and they won 0 out of 4 so I agree with your 3 year run!

Without a doubt that was one of the most impressive runs ever. That was a heck of a team and it really is a shame they didn't win at least one title.

 

[SpaceMountain16]

Without a doubt that was one of the most impressive runs ever. That was a heck of a team and it really is a shame they didn't win at least one title.

The AFC was in a down period, that Bills team was good, but getting annihilated on Super Sunday three straight years after winning a GREATLY weaker conference isn't that impressive to me.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

The AFC was in a down period, that Bills team was good, but getting annihilated on Super Sunday three straight years after winning a GREATLY weaker conference isn't that impressive to me.

There's no question the best teams were in the NFC at that time, but getting to four straight is still a tremendous accomplishment. They had an amazing comeback playoff win against Houston in one of those years, where a lot of their best players were hurt. It may still be the biggest margin a team was down and came back to win in the playoffs. Honestly, in their first super bowl the Bills outplayed the Giants in every respect but lost when Scott Norwood missed a potential game-winning field goal. I'm sure they would be viewed differently if they won that game.

 

[BlueFin]

There's always a lot of talk about the 1972 Dolphins being the best team ever. While I believe that perfection speaks for itself, I'd also go one step further and say that Miami had the best three-year run in the history of the NFL. From 1971-73, the Dolphins appeared in three straight super bowls, had an undefeated season, and an overall record of 44-6-1. During the undefeated season, the Holy Grail of NFL team accomplishments, Miami became the first team ever to lead the league in total offense, total defense, fewest points allowed and most points scored in the same season. The 1985 Bears came the closest to matching that. The following season, the Dolphins rolled off 11 straight wins at one stretch and outscored their postseason opponents 85-30. In one of the most dominating first halfs in super bowl history, Miami held Minnesota without a first down for more than a quarter and a half winning 24-7. In advancing to three straight super bowls, the Dolphins had to win each year on the road as there was no home field advantage back then. Winning on the road is always difficult, especially in the playoffs. Miami's run ended the next season. After finishing the regular season 11-3, the Dolphins lost at Oakland 28-26 in a back and forth game that is considered one of the best ever played. The World Football League then signed Paul Warfield, Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. That would be like the 49ers losing Jerry Rice, Roger Craig and Tom Rathman (sp) during their peak, or the Steelers losing Lynn Swan, Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier.

And in winning back-to-back Superbowls, they only allowed one offensive score in two superbowl wins, the No Name defense does not get its fair due historically.

 

[SF Dolphin Fan]

And in winning back-to-back Superbowls, they only allowed one offensive score in two superbowl wins, the No Name defense does not get its fair due historically.

That is so true. The Redskins score, on the infamous Garo Yepremian play, came with less than 3 minutes to play in Super Bowl VII. That is the closest any team came to being shutout. In Super Bowl VIII Minnesota's score came in the fourth quarter. Hard to believe only one player on that Dolphin defense is in the Hall of Fame.

 

[PMZQ]

And in winning back-to-back Superbowls, they only allowed one offensive score in two superbowl wins, the No Name defense does not get its fair due historically.

AMEN ! :up:

 

[PMZQ]

That is so true. The Redskins score, on the infamous Garo Yepremian play, came with less than 3 minutes to play in Super Bowl VII. That is the closest any team came to being shutout. In Super Bowl VIII Minnesota's score came in the fourth quarter. Hard to believe only one player on that Dolphin defense is in the Hall of Fame.

Its totally shameful on the part of the NFL. The Dolphins have always been treated as the red-headed step child of the NFL, and it continues to this day. We are the only team to never appear in a live game on the NFL Network.

 

[Captain Lou]

There's always a lot of talk about the 1972 Dolphins being the best team ever. While I believe that perfection speaks for itself, I'd also go one step further and say that Miami had the best three-year run in the history of the NFL. From 1971-73, the Dolphins appeared in three straight super bowls, had an undefeated season, and an overall record of 44-6-1. During the undefeated season, the Holy Grail of NFL team accomplishments, Miami became the first team ever to lead the league in total offense, total defense, fewest points allowed and most points scored in the same season. The 1985 Bears came the closest to matching that. The following season, the Dolphins rolled off 11 straight wins at one stretch and outscored their postseason opponents 85-30. In one of the most dominating first halfs in super bowl history, Miami held Minnesota without a first down for more than a quarter and a half winning 24-7. In advancing to three straight super bowls, the Dolphins had to win each year on the road as there was no home field advantage back then. Winning on the road is always difficult, especially in the playoffs. Miami's run ended the next season. After finishing the regular season 11-3, the Dolphins lost at Oakland 28-26 in a back and forth game that is considered one of the best ever played. The World Football League then signed Paul Warfield, Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. That would be like the 49ers losing Jerry Rice, Roger Craig and Tom Rathman (sp) during their peak, or the Steelers losing Lynn Swan, Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier.

I could care less about the 72 Dolphins. I was born that year! It was a great accomplishment. But it was 35 years ago. Outside of the1973 this team hasn't done crap. I know the rest of league is tired of hearing about the 72 Dolphins!

 

[nyjunc]

Its totally shameful on the part of the NFL. The Dolphins have always been treated as the red-headed step child of the NFL, and it continues to this day. We are the only team to never appear in a live game on the NFL Network.

The Jets, Bills, Dolphins, Jags, Titans, Chargers, Eagles, Lions, Bucs, Saints & Cards have not appeared on an NFL Network game yet.


As far as 3 year strecthes. I would put up there w/ Miami '71-'73:

GB '65-'67, 2 SBs and 3 Championships overall. It's hard to top that.
Dallas '92'-94,
Pitt '74-'76, '77-'79
SF '88-'90
Den '96-'98

 

[Gonzo]

The Jets, Bills, Dolphins, Jags, Titans, Chargers, Eagles, Lions, Bucs, Saints & Cards have not appeared on an NFL Network game yet.


As far as 3 year strecthes. I would put up there w/ Miami '71-'73:

GB '65-'67, 2 SBs and 3 Championships overall. It's hard to top that.
Dallas '92'-94,
Pitt '74-'76, '77-'79
SF '88-'90
Den '96-'98

As much as I hate Dallas, that was a damn good team.

 

[Gonzo]

I could care less about the 72 Dolphins. I was born that year! It was a great accomplishment. But it was 35 years ago. Outside of the1973 this team hasn't done crap. I know the rest of league is tired of hearing about the 72 Dolphins!

Then why did you read a thread about the 70's Phins? When I open a thread or article and realize it's something I don't care about, I hit the little red [X] at the upper right corner.

 

[Captain Lou]

Then why did you read a thread about the 70's Phins? When I open a thread or article and realize it's something I don't care about, I hit the little red [X] at the upper right corner.

So you'd rather take pride in something that happened 8 years before you were born!

 

[Dogbone34]

Those years were my first real exposure to the NFL. Living in New York at the time, becoming a Dolphin fan seemed like a natural fit for me. Clearly outnumbered at Sunday family gatherings, I was always able to just sit back and rely on my new found hero's to get the job done. I was 6 what did I know, I thought the uniforms looked cool.

Those were some good years, the real fans had to hang tough getting thru the 70's. We had a moment there with a nobody named Woodley, until the franchise arrived in 1983. Danny always gave me the same hope I had as kid watching those dominate 73 era teams. Didn't always have the same surrounding talent but the desire to win like those early teams was obvious.

I'm optimistic every season, even after that horrible feeling I had last season after watching Camerons first press conference. I was thinking, well this guy is emotionally weak but we'll find a way to win. My gut was right, Cameron was a train wreck. So whatever it means, as a longtime fan, I feel real good about this team and our next 3 year run. I like Tony Sparono. I think America and the rest of the NFL are going to start taking notice of South Florida once again. I also see a bright future for Mr Beck.