The Perfect Season

Lore & Background

The 1972 Dolphins are the only team to finish a perfect season including playoffs in NFL history. They went 14–0 in the regular season and won all three postseason games to finish 17–0. The team led the league in both points scored and fewest points allowed, and also led the league in total offense, total defense, scoring offense, and scoring defense, the only team ever to do so.

Reader's Guide

Starting quarterback Bob Griese broke his ankle in week 5, leaving backup Earl Morrall to start the remainder of the regular season, though Griese relieved Morrall in the second half of the AFC Championship Game and started Super Bowl VII. Running backs Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris became the first teammates to each rush for 1,000 yards in a season. The defense, termed the 'No-Name Defense' by Dallas Cowboys head coach Tom Landry, was led by linebacker Nick Buoniconti, end Bill Stanfill, tackle Manny Fernandez, and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott.

Did You Know?

• The 1972 Dolphins ranked number 1 on the 100 greatest teams of all time by the NFL on its 100th anniversary.
• Three other teams reached the NFL's title game undefeated and untied (Chicago Bears in 1934 and 1942, New England Patriots in 2007) but all three lost the championship.
• The 1985 Chicago Bears' bid for an undefeated season was snapped by the Dolphins in their game 13 Monday Night Football meeting.
• On August 20, 2013, President Barack Obama hosted the surviving members of the 1972 Dolphins, noting they 'never got their White House visit.'