1984 AFC Championship Game vs Denver Broncos
Dolphins' high-powered offense tops Broncos 34-20 at the Orange Bowl.
The 1984 AFC Championship Game was played on January 6, 1985, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. The Miami Dolphins defeated the Denver Broncos 34-20 to win the AFC Championship and advance to Super Bowl XIX. This game featured the highest combined points scored in an AFC Championship Game at that time, with 73 total points.
- Location
- Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
- Winner
- Miami Dolphins (34-20)
- Key Player
- Dan Marino
- Touchdowns by Winner
- 5 total
Lore & Background
The Miami Dolphins' victory over the Denver Broncos in the 1984 AFC Championship Game set a record for most combined points scored in an AFC Championship Game, with 73 points. The Dolphins' offense, led by quarterback Dan Marino, scored 5 touchdowns in the game. This win marked the Dolphins' fifth AFC Championship and sent them to Super Bowl XIX. The game was played at the Orange Bowl in Miami, which hosted its fourth AFC Championship Game. The Dolphins' 45 points scored in this game remain the most points ever scored by a winning team in an AFC Championship Game as of the source's data.
In Their Own Story
The 1984 AFC Championship Game at the Orange Bowl saw the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos combine for 73 points, the highest total in AFC Championship Game history. Dan Marino led the Dolphins' offense to 5 touchdowns as Miami won 34-20. The game was the fourth AFC Championship hosted by the Orange Bowl. The Dolphins' victory gave them their fifth conference championship and a berth in Super Bowl XIX.
Reader's Guide
The 1984 AFC Championship Game featured the Miami Dolphins defeating the Denver Broncos 34-20 at the Orange Bowl. The game set a record for most combined points scored in an AFC Championship Game with 73. Dan Marino was the key player for the Dolphins, who scored 5 total touchdowns. This was the fourth time the Orange Bowl hosted an AFC Championship Game. The Dolphins' 45 points in this game are the most ever scored by a winning team in an AFC Championship Game.
Did You Know?
- The 1984 AFC Championship Game had the most combined points scored in an AFC Championship Game, with 73 points.
- The Miami Dolphins scored 45 points in this game, the most ever by a winning team in an AFC Championship Game.
- This was the fourth AFC Championship Game hosted at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
- Dan Marino led the Dolphins to 5 touchdowns in the 34-20 victory over the Denver Broncos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the 1984 AFC Championship Game take place?
The historic matchup was hosted at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. Playing on home turf proved crucial as the Dolphins dominated the visiting Broncos.
Why is this game considered a turning point for the franchise?
This victory marked the true beginning of the Dolphins' dominant late-1980s era under head coach Don Shula. It showcased the high-powered offense that would carry them to Super Bowl XIX.
More in Iconic Matches
Elsewhere in the Miami Dolphins universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record
