Miami Dolphins Complete the Only Perfect Season in NFL History: Super Bowl VII – OTD in 1973
On this day, October 14, in 1973, the Miami Dolphins achieved a historic feat that has yet to be matched in the NFL: a perfect season. The Dolphins capped off their perfect campaign by defeating the Washington Redskins 14-7 in Super Bowl VII, becoming the first and only team in NFL history to finish the regular season and postseason undefeated.
The remarkable journey to perfection began in the 1972 regular season, which saw the Dolphins win all 14 of their games under the leadership of head coach Don Shula. But the real test would come in the postseason, where the team not only had to maintain their unblemished record but also contend with the pressures of the Super Bowl stage.
The Road to Perfection
The Miami Dolphins entered the 1972 season with high hopes, but no one could have predicted the kind of dominance they would display. The team was led by quarterback Bob Griese, who was efficient and composed, but it was the running game that truly carried the Dolphins. The “No-Name Defense,” as the Miami defense was affectionately known, was suffocating, often stifling offenses with relentless pressure and stellar playmaking.
Offensively, the Dolphins were powered by running back Larry Csonka, fullback Jim Kiick, and the elusive Mercury Morris. Together, they formed a trio that was nearly impossible to stop on the ground. Miami’s offense was built around a potent running game, with Csonka and Morris each earning All-Pro honors during the season. This commitment to the running game helped control the clock and wear down opposing defenses, which played a major role in the team’s success.
Defensively, the Dolphins’ defense, spearheaded by linebacker Nick Buoniconti and defensive end Manny Fernandez, was a brick wall. Miami allowed just 12.5 points per game, the fewest in the NFL that season, and they were just as effective in the postseason. The Dolphins didn’t just rely on one or two standout players—they were a unit that operated as a collective, with each defender doing their part to ensure the team’s success. In fact, the Dolphins’ defense would go on to make the difference in Super Bowl VII, forcing the Redskins to struggle to get anything going offensively.
Super Bowl VII: The Final Hurdle
As the 1972 NFL playoffs kicked off, the Miami Dolphins’ defense continued to dominate, and their offense followed suit. The Dolphins marched through the postseason with ease, dispatching the Cleveland Browns 20-14 in the AFC Championship Game, and then defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-17 in a thrilling AFC Divisional Playoff. By the time Super Bowl VII arrived, the Dolphins stood at a perfect 17-0, with only the Washington Redskins standing in their way of completing the most impressive season in NFL history.
Super Bowl VII took place on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in front of 91,000 fans. The game itself was a gritty, defensive affair that saw both teams struggle to make big plays. The Redskins, led by quarterback Billy Kilmer, had their moments, but Miami’s defense was just too strong, limiting the Redskins to just one touchdown and forcing them into turnovers. Despite the tough conditions, the Dolphins held their ground.
The Dolphins’ offense was efficient but not dominant in the first half. Bob Griese, who had been masterful all season, did just enough to move the ball and set up scoring opportunities. But it was the defense that stole the show, forcing Washington into mistakes and keeping them from ever truly finding their rhythm.
The Key Moments
With Miami leading 7-0 going into the second half, the game was still in the balance, and it wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Dolphins sealed their perfect season. Larry Csonka, who was one of the standout players of the game, ran for 2 yards into the end zone for a touchdown that pushed the Dolphins’ lead to 14-0. The Redskins would later respond with a touchdown of their own, but it was too little, too late.
Miami’s defense, as they had all season long, stood tall when it mattered most, limiting the Redskins’ offense and forcing a critical turnover. Washington’s last-minute drive came up short, and with just over a minute remaining, the Dolphins’ defense sealed the victory, completing the 14-7 scoreline that confirmed the Miami Dolphins as the only team in NFL history to finish an entire season—regular season and postseason—undefeated.
The Legacy of the 1972 Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins’ perfect season remains one of the most iconic achievements in all of sports. To this day, no other team has matched their feat of winning every game in a 16-game regular season and postseason. In an era where the game was physically punishing, the Dolphins’ combination of offense, defense, and special teams made them nearly unbeatable.
Coach Don Shula, one of the greatest minds in football history, was lauded for his leadership and ability to get the best out of his players. The Dolphins’ success in 1972 was a testament to Shula’s skill as a strategist and motivator, ensuring that every player bought into his system and executed it perfectly.
The players from that 1972 roster have gone down as legends of the game. Quarterback Bob Griese, who orchestrated the offense with precision, was a key figure in the team’s success, even if he didn’t need to put up gaudy statistics. His role was to manage the game and let the defense and running game take center stage.
Larry Csonka, who was the bruising force in Miami’s backfield, is often remembered for his hard-nosed running style, making him one of the most beloved players in franchise history. Jim Kiick and Mercury Morris, his fellow running backs, also played pivotal roles in the team’s ground game, while the “No-Name Defense” became the foundation of the team’s identity.
As a unit, the Dolphins were the epitome of what it meant to be a team: they played with discipline, selflessness, and consistency. There was no one player who carried the load; it was a total team effort. And that’s what makes their achievement so special—everyone on that roster contributed in some way, ensuring that the perfect season would not only be remembered but would stand the test of time.
Unmatched Perfection
While several teams have come close to matching the Dolphins’ feat, none have been able to replicate it. The New England Patriots came closest in 2007, finishing the regular season 16-0, but they lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, falling short of completing their own perfect season. Similarly, other teams such as the 1985 Chicago Bears and the 1998 Denver Broncos have had dominant runs, but none have been able to match the Dolphins’ flawless campaign.
Every year, when the last undefeated team loses, fans and analysts alike are reminded of the special nature of the Dolphins’ perfect season. In fact, the 1972 Dolphins are so revered that each year, when the last remaining unbeaten team falls, the surviving members of the Dolphins’ 1972 squad gather to celebrate their unmatched achievement.
The Miami Dolphins’ perfect season of 1972 is one of the greatest feats in sports history, and it remains unmatched by any team in the NFL. On October 14, 1973, when the Dolphins triumphed over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII to complete a perfect 17-0 record, they cemented their place in football lore. Led by legendary coach Don Shula, the 1972 Dolphins remain the gold standard for what it means to achieve greatness in the NFL. Their legacy serves as a reminder of the power of teamwork, preparation, and consistency—and will forever stand as the NFL’s only perfect season.
To this day, the 1972 Miami Dolphins are revered, not just for their record but for the way they played the game—together, without ego, and always with the goal of winning. In an era when perfection seemed impossible, they proved it could be done, and their place in NFL history will never be questioned.