Bradley Ruzicka

Headline: New Green Bay Packers Head Coach Dan Devine tallies third losing season in four years and a last place finish in their division

Regular Season Record: 4 – 8 – 2 (Fourth Place NFC Central Division)

Offseason Highlights: “Because of a very disappointing season in 1970, and hoping that a change will improve the won-lost record of the Packers in 1971, I hereby tender my resignation effective on February 1, 1971.” On December 22, with those words, Phil Bengtson ended his 12-year career as a Green Bay Packer, nine as Vince Lombardi’s defensive coordinator and the last three as their head coach and general manager. The coach’s departure also ended one of, if not the most, successful era in Packers history. Now, the Executive Committee had to find a coach to guide the franchise into the next decade, ultimately hiring long-time collegiate head coach Dan Devine on January 15.

Devine served as head coach at Arizona State University from 1955 to 1957 and at the University of Missouri from 1958 to 1970, compiling an overall record of 120-40-8 (27-3-1, 93-37-7 respectively). Although Devine was a consistent winner in college, he had no NFL coaching experience and a losing record in his final season at Missouri. However, Stanton Greene in his book, The Green Bay Packers The Dan Devine Years 1971-74, felt the Executive Committee wanted to return flamboyance to the position, considering Devine to be a charismatic, intellectual coach in the Lombardi style. He also had more experience than his competition, including PSU’s Joe Paterno and ASU’s Frank Kush.

Green Bay’s first choice for the next Lombardi successor, former Los Angeles Rams’ Head Coach George Allen, declined the Packers offer in favor of a similar position with the Washington Redskins. He replaced interim Head Coach Bill Austin, who succeeded Lombardi after his death in September 1970. Allen had been fired by the Rams after a falling out with Owner Dan Reeves. This despite five winning seasons, the most wins by a coach in Rams history. Hiring Devine continued a new trend in the NFL, bringing in successful college coaches with no professional experience including Tommy Prothro (Los Angeles), John Ralston (Denver Broncos), and Don Coryell (St. Louis Cardinals).

Devine realized early in his tenure that being both head coach and general manager was a significant burden. In his autobiography, Devine stated, “No matter how hard I worked … it became evident pretty quickly … that what I was doing was more than a one-person job. [Negotiating] contracts with the players, and then having to coach them … was difficult even under the best of circumstances. I’ve always felt a coach could perform better if he didn’t have to concern himself with salaries and bonuses. [His] job should strictly be directed … to [putting] the best players on the field.” The wisdom of having one man hold both positions would be a recurring theme for years to come.

Despite these concerns, Devine wasted little time exercising his authority as general manager, making four trades after only two weeks on the job. First to go was backup quarterback Don Horn. The former collegiate All-American was Green Bay’s first-round pick in 1967 and the man Lombardi projected as Bart Starr’s heir apparent. Horn and the Packers first-round selection (12th overall) were traded to Denver for second year defensive end Alden Roche and the Broncos’ first round pick (9th overall). Next, Devine traded running back and special teams phenomenon Travis Williams, along with their fourth-round pick, to the Rams for their second-round pick and a 1972 sixth round pick.

The new general manager then traded the rights to recently retired wide receiver Boyd Dowler to the Redskins in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Finally, Devine traded a 1972 third round selection to the Minnesota Vikings to reacquire the rights to former backup quarterback Zeke Bratkowski who, like Dowler, had retired in 1969. Horn ended his four seasons with Green Bay having completed 139 of 284 passes (48.9%) for 2,291 yards, 16 touchdowns, 22 interceptions, and a QB Rating of 63.0. He subsequently played two years for Denver and one each for the Cleveland Browns and the San Diego Chargers. Horn’s final season was in 1975 with the World Football League’s Portland Thunder.

Williams rushed for 1,063 yards on 271 carries (3.9 yards per attempt) while catching 49 passes for 530 yards (10.8 per reception), totaling 11 touchdowns during his four years with the Packers. However, his most significant contribution was in the areas of kickoff and punt returns, with 77 for 2,058 yards and 12 for 209 yards respectively, for a total of 6 returns for touchdowns. Williams five kickoff returns for touchdowns remains a team record and his 26.7 yards per return is second in Green Bay history only to Dave Hampton. “The Roadrunner” played a single season for the Rams, leading the league in yards per kickoff return (29.7), before a knee injury in 1972 cut short his NFL career.

Ultimately, all those trades translated into just two players of note on draft day, although several lesser-known players would provide much needed depth on a roster thinned by age and attrition. The most successful move had to be trading Don Horn. By the end of 1970, it was clear that the 25th overall selection was not going to be Green Bay’s next franchise quarterback. The fact Denver was willing to part with the ninth overall pick as well as a promising young defensive lineman was a coup for Devine. Roche, noted for his versatility, took over as the Packers starting defensive end in the tenth week and held on to that role for the next five years, playing in all but one game during that time.

Arguably, the most impactful draft choice of Devine’s tenure was Ohio State University Running Back John Brockington, selected with the pick acquired from the Broncos. In his six seasons with the Packers, Brockington rushed for 5,024 yards on 1,293 carries (3.9 yards per rush), caught 138 passes for 1,075 yards, and totaled 32 touchdowns. “Big John” set an NFL record with three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons in each of his first three years. However, his rushing totals declined over the next three seasons as injuries and personnel changes took their toll. In his seventh year, Brockington was released after one game, finishing with the Kansas City Chiefs before retiring in 1978.

Though he struggled during the latter half of his career, Brockington remains the third leading rusher in team history, behind only Ahman Green and Hall of Famer Jim Taylor. Green Bay also selected the man who would become their future starting quarterback, Alabama’s Scott Hunter, with the 140th overall pick. Although effective during his three years as a starter for the “Crimson Tide”, a separated shoulder in his final year caused his stock to drop in the 1971 draft. Hunter would later say the injury affected him well into his career. He played just three of his seven seasons with the Packers, completing 196 of 446 (43.9%) for 2,904 yards, 15 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, and a 49.0 QBR.

By 1971, it was clear that Starr was at the end of his career. Horn was now in Denver, leaving 39-year-old Zeke Bratkowski as the only other available quarterback. However, Devine waited until the sixth round to select a new signal caller. He bypassed names such as future Hall of Fame candidate Ken Anderson as well as Packers Hall of Famer Lynn Dickey. Both were available in the second round when Devine inexplicably chose a running back, Virgil Robinson, despite having already selected Brockington. This was the pick he had traded up to get from Los Angeles in exchange for Williams. Stranger still, Devine went on to waive Robinson before he played a down in the regular season.

But draft day was just the beginning of the new general manager’s efforts to remake the team. Prior to the start of the regular season, Devine made more than 20 added roster moves. Included was the trading of defensive tackle Kevin Hardy, acquired the previous season, to San Diego for their 1972 first round pick on June 24. Eight-year veteran and former All-Pro cornerback Bob Jeter was traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for third year running back Ross Montgomery and their 1972 sixth round choice on July 22. Bengston’s 1969 top draft pick, defensive tackle Rich Moore, was sent to the Boston, now New England, Patriots for two-time Pro Bowl linebacker John Bramlett on July 31.

Jeter finished his Packers career with 23 interceptions for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler played three more years for Chicago, starting just two games, before retiring after the 1973 season. Moore would not play another down, finishing his two-year career with one fumble recovery and six sacks in 20 starts. Devine ultimately released both Montgomery and Bramlett prior to the start of the season. The Packers also reacquired linebacker Tommy Joe Crutcher and a 1973 fourth round pick from the Rams for a 1973 fourth round pick on August 24 as well as acquired fifth year safety Al Randolph from the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft pick on September 8.

Most notably, the last member of the 1966 offensive line, Lombardi’s last great Packers team, winner of the first Super Bowl, retired. Right tackle Forrest Gregg announced his retirement for a fourth time on Jan. 30 to take a job with a sporting goods firm in Dallas, Texas. He retired for the first time in 1964 as well as each of the prior two years but, in each case, returned for another year. This time, Devine waived the 14-year vet late in training camp and head coach Tom Landry invited him to join the Dallas Cowboys. The future Hall of Famer subsequently played in six games for Dallas, won his third Super Bowl and sixth league title, and finally retired for good to become an assistant coach.

All in all, Devine had a visible impact on the Packers organization in his first offseason as head coach and general manager. In addition to the roster moves, Devine retained two of Bengston’s top assistants, offensive and defensive coaches Bob Schnelker and Dave Hanner, while four others were replaced by Rollie Dotsch, Red Cochran, Burt Gustafson, and Don Doll. According to Stanton Greene, “All were top choices, and all went on to long careers in coaching.” Devine also elevated Pat Peppler to the position of assistant to the general manager while Bob Harlan was hired to run the front office. Harlan would serve as the franchise’s President and CEO for 19 years starting in 1989.

The 1971 draft yielded five future Hall of Famers, including the 6th overall pick, Kansas Running Back John Riggins (New York Jets), the 20th pick, Florida Defensive End Jack Youngblood (Los Angeles), the 34th pick, Penn State Linebacker Jack Ham (Pittsburgh Steelers), the 43rd selection, Michigan Guard Dan Dierdorf (St. Louis), and the 161st choice, Southern Wide Receiver Harold Carmichael (Philadelphia Eagles). Also, for the first time in league history, the top three selections were quarterbacks: Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett out of Stanford University (Patriots), Mississippi’s Archie Manning (New Orleans Saints), and Santa Clara University’s Dan Pastorini (Houston Oilers).

Of note, beginning with the 1971 season, five teams would play their home games in a new stadium. The Patriots moved into Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, changing their name from Boston to New England shortly after the draft. The Bears moved into Soldier Field, the Dallas Cowboys moved into Texas Stadium, the Eagles moved into Veterans Stadium, and the 49ers moved into Candlestick Park. Now, almost half of all teams (11) would play their home games on artificial turf rather than grass, up from seven in 1970. Included were Chicago, Dallas, New England, Houston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Miami Dolphins.

Finally, Vincent Thomas Lombardi was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 1971. Lombardi coached in the NFL for a total of 15 years starting in 1954. Five were as the New York Giants Offensive Coordinator. Ten were as Head Coach and General Manager of the Green Bay Packers (9) and Washington Redskins (1). Lombardi revived the Packer franchise, leading them to five NFL Championships during the 1960s (1961-62, 1965-67). He’s considered one of the greatest coaches in league history as well as one of the greatest leaders in American sports. After he died of cancer in 1970, the NFL renamed the Super Bowl trophy the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Regular Season Highlights: The Green Bay Packers finished last in the NFC Central Division at 4-8-2, behind the 11-3 Minnesota Vikings, the 7-6-1 Detroit Lions, and the 6-8 Chicago Bears. It was their second consecutive losing season and their worst record in 13 years. Meanwhile, Minnesota won their fourth division title in a row, holding on to first place for the last ten weeks of the season. However, as late as the ninth week, the Bears were just a game back of the Vikings with a 6-3 record. But five straight losses to finish the season ended any chance of a playoff spot as well as ended Head Coach Jim Dooley’s tenure with a 20-36 record, four years after replacing the great George Halas.

Unlike the Phil Bengston era, Dan Devine’s first season was truly a transitional time for the Packers. At the start of the season, the roster consisted of seven players with 10 or more years of experience but also 11 rookies, contributing to an absence of cohesion and uneven play throughout the year. A handful of Vince Lombardi’s veterans were still key starters but in a steep decline, while many of the younger players had not yet come of age. Green Bay was competitive within the division, going 2-3-1, playing Minnesota and Detroit close while twice beating Chicago. Although some old-timers were wary of the new coach, some, like Lionel Aldridge, were positive, saying, “I’m sold on the man”.

Unfortunately for Devine, his professional coaching career got off to a painful start. A sideline collision between Devine, the New York Giants center Bob Hyland, and safety Doug Hart after his interception resulted in the new head man suffering a broken leg. The Packers went on to lose their season opener, 42-40, at Lambeau Field. The play happened in the fourth quarter and Devine was rushed to the hospital before the final gun. He was forced to listen to the end of the game on the radio. As Devine lay in his hospital bed after undergoing surgery, with two bones in his lower leg shattered in five places, he couldn’t be blamed for wondering if this was a harbinger of things to come.

Prior to his injury, Devine pulled his starting quarterback, Zeke Bratkowski, in favor of rookie Scott Hunter after falling behind 35-17 in the third quarter. Hunter impressed in his debut, almost pulling out a victory, completing 9 of 16 for 158 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a QBR of 103.6. His performance earned him a starting role the next week against the Denver Broncos. Although Hunter played poorly, competing just 2 of 7 passes for 41 yards, the running game carried the day in a 34-13 victory. Rookie John Brockington, along with veteran Dave Hampton, combined for 171 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns while the defense picked off six of Don Horn’s passes, three by Ken Ellis.

Hunter’s poor play continued the next week in their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-17, Green Bay’s second consecutive home win. The rookie completed only 4 of 12 for 75 yards and 2 interceptions. Fortunately, the ground game was once again up to the task, with Brockington logging his first 100-yard performance. This time, the trio of Brockington (120), Hampton (49), and Donny Anderson (71) combined for 240 rushing yards while the defense held Cincinnati to 178 total yards. At 2-1, the Packers looked like a division title contender despite the lack of a passing game. The basic elements of a Devine coached team, a tough running game and a strong defense, were on display.

However, Green Bay would not win again during October, going 0-3-1. The fourth week saw Bratkowski briefly return after Devine pulled Hunter, bringing the team back from a 24-7 halftime deficit but ultimately falling short, 31-28, at Detroit. Hunter returned as the starter the next week, but his three interceptions along with two Packer fumbles gave the Vikings a 24-13 victory at Lambeau. After being dominated by the Rams, 30-13, in Los Angeles, it took a blocked field goal to preserve a 14-14 tie against the Lions on a rainy Monday night in Milwaukee County Stadium. The only good news was a second 100-yard rushing game for Brockington as Hunter was held to zero net passing yards.

Brockington again displayed his dominance with 30 attempts for 142 yards, his second consecutive 100-yard performance, in a 17-14 road win over a surprisingly competitive Bears team. But it was Hampton’s 63-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter that set-up Lou Michaels 22-yard winning field goal after the Packers blew a 14-0 halftime lead. At 3-4-1, with a little more than half the season gone, Green Bay was barely hanging on in the race for a playoff berth, two and a half games behind Minnesota, two games behind Detroit, and one and a half games behind Chicago. Unfortunately, a repeat of their 0-3-1 performance over the next four games sealed the Packers fate for the 1971 season.

Included was a maddening ninth week road loss to the Vikings, “… the most frustrating game I’ve ever been involved with” Devine said the next day. Green Bay decisively out gained Minnesota, 301 to 108 yards. Brockington logged his third consecutive 100-yard rushing performance, his highest rushing total of the season (149), and his fourth 100-yard game of the year. Yet, it was not enough to overcome another poor performance by Hunter, who completed 5 of 8 for 62 yards and 2 more interceptions. The last came in the final period, with the Packers on the Viking 8-yard line. Charlie West returned the ball to midfield, leading to the only score of the game, a 25-yard Fred Cox field goal.

After a Monday night road loss to the Atlanta Falcons, 28-21, and with Green Bay out of the division race at 3-6-1, Devine turned to an ailing Bart Starr to start three of the last four games. Not surprisingly, the 16-year quarterback struggled. He went 8 of 17 for 116 yards and an interception in a 29-21 loss to New Orleans. He next threw two picks in only five attempts against the St. Louis Cardinals before giving way to Hunter in a 16-16 tie. Starr threw just a single pass in a 31-10 rout of Chicago, the team’s lone win in the season’s final six games. In the finale, the future Hall of Famer went the distance, completing 13 of 26 for 126 yards, in a lackluster 27-6 road loss to the Miami Dolphins.

At the beginning of the year, Devine had targeted Starr to be his starting quarterback, despite his age and concerns about his health. But, early in training camp, he learned the 37-year-old required a bicep-tendon transplant on his throwing arm to treat, once and for all, the injuries that had impacted his play since 1967. It almost ended his life. The initial surgery was botched, nearly causing Starr to bleed to death. The end result of multiple surgeries was nerve damage in his right arm. Starr now struggled to even grip a football, forced to use a glove on his throwing hand. As a result, he completed only 24 of 45 (53.3%) for 286 yards, no touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and a 45.2 QBR.

At this point, it was clear Starr’s ability to throw the long ball was gone, and it was time to hang it up. Still, at season’s end, Starr was planning to come back for one more year in 1972. With the Packers long-time starter unavailable the majority of the year, Hunter was forced to take the majority of snaps, supported by Bratkowski. Each also had their share of struggles. Despite not having played a down in the two years since he retired, the 14-year veteran started the opener. It would be his last start of the season, although he relieved Hunter on multiple occasions. Overall, the man Lombardi acquired in 1963 was 19 of 37 (51.4%) for 298 yards, 4 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and an 80.7 QBR.

After just falling short against the Giants, Hunter started the next 10 games, going 4-5-1. He finished 75 of 163 (46.0%) for 1,210 yards, 7 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and a 46.1 QBR. The first-year quarterback topped 100 yards passing only five times, topped 200 yards just once, and had a QBR over 100 a single time in the season opening loss. Although he suffered by comparison to the top picks, Jim Plunkett and Archie Manning, the 140th player chosen had an average first year. Unsurprisingly for a rookie, Hunter’s biggest negative was interceptions, with one pick every nine attempts on average. On the plus side, when Hunter did finally connect, he averaged an impressive 16.1 yards.

Wide receiver Carroll Dale’s numbers suffered from issues with the quarterback play as he caught only 31 passes for 598 yards and 4 touchdowns. Despite the fewest number of catches since his rookie year, Dale still led all Packer pass catchers in 1971. Playing his seventh season in Green Bay, the 12-year veteran’s 19.3 yards per reception was good for 8th in the league. Second year tight end Rich McGeorge finished second on the team with 27 catches for 463 yards, 4 touchdowns, and a remarkable 17.1 yards per reception. Close behind was sixth year halfback Donny Anderson with 26 catches for 306 yards, an average of 11.8 yards per reception, and one receiving touchdown.

The strength of the offense was the running game, starting with Brockington. The 9th pick had 216 rushes for 1,105 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 5 total touchdowns, the first rookie to run for 1,000 yards in NFL history. The big fullback ranked second overall in rushing yards, yards per attempt, and yards per game. For his efforts, he was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson also had a good year, with 757 yards on 186 attempts (4.1 yards per carry) and 5 rushing touchdowns. Hampton contributed 307 yards on only 67 carries (4.6 yards per rush), scoring 4 total touchdowns. Key to this success was the revamped offensive line, led by Pro Bowl guard Gale Gillingham.

The Packers amassed 2,229 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground while giving up only 18 sacks. Overall, the offense finished 4th in rushing and 14th in scoring with 274 points, 78 more than 1970. The passing game was the obvious weakness, ranking 24th out of 26 teams with 1,685 yards. Green Bay’s offense was most effective in their first four games, scoring 122 points or 30.5 per game on average. Over the next 10 weeks, that number fell dramatically to an average of 16.2 per game. Meanwhile, the defense saw little improvement over 1970, ranking 10th against the run (1,707), 17th against the pass (2,301), and 18th in points allowed (298), ranging from a high of 42 to a low of 3.

On special teams, Hampton had another banner season, leading the league in kickoff returns (46) and yards (1,314) while finishing second in yards per return (28.6). Also, for the fourth straight year, the placekicking was a revolving door. Holdover Dale Livingston was let go before the start of the season. Dave Conway, acquired off waivers, played in the first game before he was released. Former Baltimore Colt Lou Michaels was signed to be the kicker for the next nine games. He was then replaced by Tim Webster for the final four games. In total, Packer kickers made 14 of 26 field goals and 32 of 33 extra points for 74 points. Anderson was the only constant, punting for a fifth straight season.

Minnesota and Dallas tied for the league’s best record at 11-3, winning the NFC Central and East Divisions respectively. The Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs finished with the second-best record at 10-3-1, winning their respective divisions, the AFC East and West. The last of the division winners, the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns, won the NFC West and AFC Central with 9-5 records. Baltimore, last season’s Super Bowl Champions, made the playoffs as the AFC Wild Card entrant at 10-4. Finally, for the first time since 1945, the Washington Redskins, led by former Rams Head Coach George Allen, were in the playoffs as the NFC Wild Card entrant with a record of 9-4-1.

Washington led the NFC East over the season’s first nine weeks, winning their initial five games. However, a 1-3-1 mid-season slump dropped them out of first place. Dallas meanwhile won their sixth straight division title. Baltimore was on the verge of winning a fifth title after beating Miami in the thirteenth week. But a Colt loss and a Dolphin win in the season finale gave Miami their first title by the slimmest of margins. Similarly, San Francisco edged Los Angeles by that same margin after the 49ers won their final two games while the Rams split theirs. The Oakland Raiders were in first place for eleven straight weeks but lost out to Kansas City after losing three of their last four contests.

Minnesota Defensive Tackle Alan Page won the Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year Awards, the first defensive player in NFL history to be named MVP. Page, in his sixth season, was also a Pro Bowl selection for the fifth consecutive year as well as named All-Pro for the second straight season. John Brockington won the award for Offensive Rookie of the Year while Los Angeles Linebacker Isiah Robertson, the tenth overall pick, won Defensive Rookie of the Year. George Allen, the Redskins fourth head coach in as many years, won his second Coach of the Year award. The future Hall of Fame coach won his first in just his second year with the Rams in 1967.

Post Season Highlights: Once again, home playoff teams were decided based on a yearly rotation of division winners. In the NFC, the Minnesota Vikings hosted the Dallas Cowboys in Metropolitan Stadium, and the San Francisco 49ers hosted the Washington Redskins in Candlestick Park. Meanwhile, in the AFC, the Cleveland Browns hosted the Baltimore Colts in Cleveland Stadium while the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs squared off in the Chiefs last game in Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium. The survivors would advance to the Conference Championships. This was also the first time the NFL had scheduled games on Christmas Day, a decision that drew considerable criticism.

On December 25, Dallas forced five Minnesota turnovers, three of which were turned into 13 points, to beat the Vikings despite the Cowboys being outgained in total yards (311-183), rushing yards (101-98), passing yards (210-85), and first downs (17-10). It was the second consecutive year the Vikings had finished the regular season with the NFL’s best record only to be eliminated in the Divisional round, despite having had one of the league’s best defenses. Minnesota had held opposing quarterbacks to a 40.4 rating, one of the lowest ever. They shut out three teams, allowing only one to score more than 20 points. ESPN.com ranked them the fourth best defense in NFL history.

The first time Minnesota had the football, seventh year fullback Dave Osborn fumbled on the Viking 36-yard line, giving Dallas an early scoring opportunity. Roger Staubach’s 18-yard pass to wide receiver Bob Hayes got the Cowboys to the 18. But, after a sack, Staubach’s 13-yard scramble on third down was stopped a yard short of the first down. Mike Clark kicked a 26-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Dallas next appeared to turn the ball over on a fumbled punt return deep in their own territory. But the officials disagreed, and the Cowboys retained possession. But Dallas was subsequently forced to punt, and the first period ended 3-0. Now, Minnesota would test the “doomsday” defense.

First, the Vikings advanced deep into Dallas territory but were forced to settle for Fred Cox’s 27-yard field goal when another disputed call ended the drive. The game tied 3-3, Minnesota then moved to the Cowboy 29-yard line after a 49-yard pass from third year quarterback Bob Lee to wide receiver Bob Grim. But Chuck Howley’s interception of a Lee pass and his 26-yard return to the Viking 37 ended the threat. Minnesota’s defense held, forcing a 44-yard Clark field goal for a 6-3 Dallas lead. A 61-yard return on the ensuing kickoff gave the Vikings one more chance to score seconds before the half, but Cox missed a 42-yard attempt. The Cowboys maintained their slim three-point margin.

The game’s turning point came on the second play of the third quarter when Cliff Harris returned a second Lee interception to Minnesota’s 13-yard line. Duane Thomas ran for a touchdown on the next play, upping the Dallas lead to 13-3. Another long return on the subsequent kickoff gave the Vikings good field position at the Cowboy 49-yard line. But the offense stalled, and Cox missed his second field goal, this time from 46 yards out. A 24-yard return of a Minnesota punt started a 52-yard touchdown march, ending with a 9-yard Staubach pass to wideout Bob Hayes for a 20-3 advantage. It would be their last score of the game as the Vikings shut down the Cowboys in the fourth quarter.

Early in the final period, Alan Page sacked Staubach for a safety, cutting the Minnesota deficit to 15 points. The Vikings subsequently had three more chances to score. Their first drive ended when Gary Cuozzo, replacing the ineffective Lee, was intercepted by Lee Roy Jordan. The nine-year veteran then led his team to a touchdown, completing a 6-yard pass to tight end Stu Voit, narrowing the Dallas lead to two scores, 20-12. But, with just 2:08 remaining and given Minnesota’s struggles, the game was all but out of reach. Their last drive ended when Cuozzo’s desperation heave was picked off with six seconds on the clock. The Cowboys moved on to their second NFC Championship.

Later in the day, Miami defeated Kansas City in double overtime. It was the longest pro football game to date, at 82 minutes and 40 seconds, and the last played at Municipal Stadium before the Chiefs moved to Arrowhead Stadium in 1972. In a losing effort, KC running back Ed Podolak had the best day of his three-year career with 350 all-purpose yards, an NFL playoff record and the fourth highest total in league history. The team’s leading rusher during the regular season gained 85 yards on 17 carries and caught 8 passes for 110 yards, scoring two touchdowns. He also returned three kickoffs and two punts for 155 combined yards. “A monumental game.” said Head Coach Hank Stram.

The Chiefs opened the scoring with five-year veteran Jan Stenerud’s 24-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Kansas City linebacker Willie Lanier, also in his fifth season, then picked off a Bob Griese pass. His 17-yard return set up seven-time Pro Bowler Len Dawson’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Podolak, upping the Chief lead to 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. But Griese rallied Miami on their next drive. He completed a 23-yard pass to wide receiver Paul Warfield, in his second year with the Dolphins, and a 16 yarder to former Green Bay Packers tight end Marv Fleming, also in his second year with Miami. It led to All-Pro fullback Larry Csonka’s 1 yard touchdown, narrowing the deficit to 10-7.

On Kansas City’s next drive, Dawson’s deep pass was picked off by cornerback Curtis Johnson. But Miami was ultimately forced to punt. The Chiefs again drove into scoring range, but Stenerud missed a 29-yard field goal attempt. The Dolphins then forced a Podolak fumble deep in Kansas City territory with under two minutes remaining in the half, leading to Garo Yepremian’s 14-yard field goal and a 10-10 tie at the break. The Chiefs subsequently retook the lead midway through the third period on a 15 play, 75-yard drive, taking 10 minutes off the clock. Second year fullback Jim Otis, acquired in a trade with the New Orleans Saints, rammed in from 1 yard out for a 17-10 advantage.

Miami quickly tied the game at 17-17 on their next possession with Jim Kiick’s 1 yard touchdown run. A Chiefs fumble subsequently gave the Dolphins their first chance to take the lead. But fifth year linebacker Jim Lynch picked off a second Griese pass on Kansas City’s 9-yard line, starting a 91-yard Chiefs touchdown drive. Dawson’s 63-yard completion to rookie wideout Elmo Wright put the ball on Miami’s 3-yard line. Podolak’s 3-yard touchdown run restored Kansas City’s lead, 24-17, with seven minutes left in the game. Again, the Dolphins rallied on their next drive. Griese completed 17- and 26-yard passes to Warfield, ending the 71-yard march with a 5-yard Fleming touchdown pass.

The game remained tied with just 1:25 remaining. But the Chiefs got one more chance to pull out a win in the final seconds of regulation. Podolak returned the kickoff 78 yards to Miami’s 22, giving Stenerud an opportunity for redemption after an earlier miss. But the four-time Pro Bowl kicker astonishingly missed his second field goal, this time from 31 yards out, sending the game into overtime tied at 24-24. On the opening kickoff of overtime, Podolak again gave Kansas City great field position, returning the ball to the Dolphin 46-yard line. But, after driving to the 35, Stenerud lost another chance to make amends, and get his team a victory, when his 42-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

The momentum now shifted to Miami. After trading possessions, the offense drove into scoring range. However, Yepremian missed a 52-yard field goal attempt. Dawson, in his 15th season and ninth as Kansas City’s starting quarterback, tried to rally his team one more time. But the future Hall of Famer was intercepted by safety Jake Scott as time in the first overtime period expired. After again trading punts, Csonka’s 29-yard run moved the Dolphins into Chiefs territory. With 7:40 left in the second overtime period, the NFL’s leading scorer in 1971 kicked the winning field goal from 37 yards out. After more than three hard fought hours, Miami had the first postseason victory in their history, 27-24.

On December 26, running back Don Nottingham scored two touchdowns, leading the Baltimore Colts to a decisive victory over the Cleveland Browns. A rookie 17th round draft choice, Nottingham gained 92 yards on 23 carries. Cleveland had easily won their division by three games over the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading 12 of 14 weeks, including the last eleven. The Browns also defeated the Colts, 14-13, in the second week of the regular season. However, on this day, Baltimore’s defense limited Cleveland to just 165 total yards (69 rushing, 96 passing), 11 first downs, and 3 points while forcing a total of five turnovers (3 picks, 2 fumbles), putting an end to their five-game winning streak.

Early in the game, Cleveland again appeared to be the better team. On their first series, Bill Nelsen, in his fourth season as the Browns starting quarterback, completed a 39-yard pass to wideout Fair Hooker. But Colt safety Rex Kern forced and then recovered Hooker’s fumble on their own 12-yard line to end the drive. After going three and out, Baltimore punted the ball to Pro Bowler Leroy Kelly. His 48-yard return gave Cleveland a second chance from the Colt 4-yard line. However, once more, Baltimore’s defense shut them down. A 16-yard field goal attempt by Don Cockroft was blocked by Bubba Smith. Twice in the first quarter, the Browns were held scoreless inside the Colt 15.

Baltimore then took over, driving 92 yards in 17 plays before scoring on Nottingham’s 1 yard touchdown run for a 7-0 second period lead. Next, the Colts other Pro Bowl safety, Rick Volk, intercepted a Nelson pass. He returned the ball 37 yards to Cleveland’s 15-yard line. Nottingham, subbing for injured Pro Bowl fullback Norm Bulaich, later scored his second touchdown on a 7-yard burst for a 14-0 lead at the half. In the third quarter, neither team could hang on to the football, with three straight possessions ending in turnovers. The last, an interception by 38-year-old Johnny Unitas, led to the Browns getting on the board. Cockroft’s 14-yard field goal narrowed Baltimore’s lead to 14-3.

However, the Colts stormed right back with a 74-yard drive. Second year kicker Jim O’Brien’s 42-yard field goal increased their lead to 17-3 at the end of three quarters. In the final period, Baltimore’s defense continued their dominance. Volk picked off another Nelson pass, returning it to Cleveland’s 13-yard line. The Colts failed to take advantage when the Browns recovered 11-year halfback Tom Matte’s fumble. But, just three plays later, Cleveland gave it right back on a third Nelson interception. Baltimore then put the game away. O’Brien, last season’s Super Bowl hero, hit his second field goal from 14 yards out for the final points of the contest, giving the Colts a convincing 20-3 victory.

Later that day, the San Francisco 49ers defense made several key plays, including forcing three turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 interception), in their come from behind win over the Washington Redskins in San Francisco’s new home, Candlestick Park. This despite Washington kick returner Speedy Duncan gaining 170 yards on three kickoff returns, setting a franchise record. In addition, the Redskins third year halfback Larry Brown was the game’s leader in both rushing attempts (27) and yards (84) as well as catches (6). Washington’s defense held the NFL’s ninth ranked scoring offense to just three first half points. But the 49ers scored two second half touchdowns to take over the game.

Washington scored first when a blocked punt gave them the football on San Francisco’s 28-yard line. After converting a fourth and inches inside the 10, ninth year quarterback Billy Kilmer, subbing for the injured Sonny Jurgensen, threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jerry Smith for a 7-0 first quarter lead. It would be their only touchdown until late in the final period. But the 49ers also struggled in the first half, converting a single 23-yard Bruce Gossett field goal in the second period. A 37-yard return on the ensuing kickoff resulted in Curt Knight’s 40-yard field goal, restoring the Redskins seven-point lead. Then, with seconds left, Washington returned a punt 47 yards to the 49ers 11.

However, the opportunity was wasted when Knight’s field goal attempt was blocked, and the score remained 10-3 at halftime. At the outset of the second half, the Redskins had another chance to take control of the game when they returned the opening kickoff 66 yards to San Francisco’s 34-yard line. But, after a short drive, the 49ers made a key defensive stand on a second fourth and inches attempt, forcing Washington to turn the ball over on downs at the 12-yard line. Three plays later, John Brodie threw a deep pass that went just over Pat Fischer into the arms of wide receiver Gene Washington for a 78-yard touchdown, tying the game at 10-10. San Francisco would not trail again.

On the next series, 10-year veteran safety Roosevelt Taylor’s interception of a Kilmer pass set up tight end Bob Windsor’s 2-yard touchdown catch from Brodie to give the 49ers a 17-10 lead. Once again, the Redskins fought back, returning the subsequent kickoff 67 yards. Knight’s 35-yard field goal cut the score to 17-13 at the end of three quarters. Finally, with 3:20 left, San Francisco put the game away when Bob Hoskins recovered a bad snap on a Washington punt in the end zone for a touchdown and a 24-13 lead. The Redskins managed a touchdown on Kilmer’s 16-yard pass to Larry Brown in the game’s closing seconds. But it wasn’t enough to deny the 49ers a win, 24-20.

On January 2, 1972, for the second straight year, the NFC Championship Game pitted San Francisco against Dallas. It would be the first playoff game ever in newly opened Texas Stadium. It was the second consecutive division title for the 49ers after a 13-year hiatus. San Francisco went back and forth with the Los Angeles Rams before taking control of the division in the season’s last two weeks. Meanwhile, the upstart Dolphins hosted the division rival Colts in the Orange Bowl for the AFC Championship. Baltimore was on the verge of winning their sixth division title in eight years before being edged out by Miami in the season’s final week despite having the NFL’s second-best defense.

Unlike the 1970 NFC Championship Game, the Cowboys defense dominated the 49ers offense in a low scoring game, allowing just 61 rushing yards, nine first downs, and one third quarter field goal. They also forced 36-year-old quarterback John Brodie to throw three interceptions, leading Dallas to their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance. As was the case in 1970, San Francisco fielded a potent offense, a stingy defense, and league leading kick returners. Eight 49ers were Pro Bowl selections, including Jimmy Johnson and Gene Washington, both for the second straight year, as well as defensive end Cedric Hardman, halfback Vic Washington, and offensive lineman Forrest Blue.

Early on, neither team generated much offense. The Cowboys first drive ended with a missed 48-yard field goal by Mike Clark, their only scoring opportunity in the first period. Meanwhile, the 49ers managed just one first down the entire first half. It fell to Dallas’s defense to put the offense in scoring position. Brodie’s screen pass from his own 9-yard line was picked off by defensive end George Andrie, giving the Cowboys a first and goal at San Francisco’s 2-yard line. Running back Calvin Hill subsequently scored the only points of the half on a 1-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead. Brodie finally got the offense moving early in the second half with a 24-yard pass to tight end Ted Kwalick.

But the drive stalled, forcing a Bruce Gossett 28-yard field goal cut the Dallas lead to 7-3 with 6:52 left in the third quarter. It was one of only two times the 49ers offense got inside the Cowboy 40-yard line. The second ended with Gossett missing a 48-yard field goal attempt. Late in the period, quarterback Roger Staubach completed a 17-yard pass to Dan Reeves. He then started the final period with a 23-yard pass to tight end Billy Truax. Duane Thomas eventually finished the 14 play, 80-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run for a 14-3 advantage. Dallas then shutdown San Francisco for the rest of the game, forcing two more picks and a turnover on downs to win the NFC title.

Later in the day, Miami shut out Baltimore despite the Colts top ranked defense giving up only four Bob Griese completions. However, two of those were to Paul Warfield for 125 yards. Meanwhile, the Dolphins intercepted Johnny Unitas three times, returning one for a touchdown. Baltimore played the game without their starting running backs, 32-year-old Tom Matte and 25-year-old Norm Bulaich, both of whom were injured. They were replaced by rookies Don Nottingham and Don McCauley. It was a disappointing end for the World Champions, particularly their defense, having given up a total of 140 points over 14 regular season games. In four defeats, the Colts lost by 15 total points.

On Miami’s second drive of the game, Warfield’s 75-yard touchdown catch gave the Dolphins a 7-0 lead. Meanwhile, Baltimore managed to get close enough for two first period Jim O’Brien field goal attempts, but he missed both. In the second quarter, the Colts drove from their own 18-yard line to Miami’s 9-yard line. But Baltimore came up empty when second year Head Coach Don McCafferty decided to pass up a short field goal and Nottingham was stopped inches short on fourth down. After a Dolphins punt, the Colts next moved to Miami’s 22-yard line. However, as the first half came to a close, they once more failed to score when O’Brien’s third attempted field goal was blocked.

The game’s turning point came in the third quarter. Unitas’s long pass was deflected by cornerback Curtis Johnson into the hands of safety Dick Anderson, who returned the ball 62 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead. On their next possession, a second Unitas pass was picked off by the Dolphins other safety, Jake Scott, to close out the period. Griese’s 50-yard pass to Warfield subsequently moved the ball to Baltimore’s 5-yard line. On the next play, Larry Csonka bulled in for Miami’s final score and a three-touchdown lead. The Colts last drive ended with a third Unitas interception deep in Dolphin territory. Miami advanced to their first Super Bowl with a decisive 21-0 victory.

One year after their loss to Baltimore in Super Bowl V, the Cowboys were again poised to win their first championship. This time, they would take on upstart Miami in Super Bowl VI. One more chance for Dallas and their longtime Head Coach Tom Landry to attain that elusive prize, an NFL title. The Cowboys entered the season still having the reputation of not being able to win the big games and next year’s champion. Their 1970 Super Bowl loss only added to that widely held narrative. On the other hand, it was a season of firsts for the Dolphins; first division title, first playoff win, and first conference title. Now Miami had a chance to add to that list with their first league championship.

Super Bowl Highlights: On January 16, 1972, the NFC Champion Dallas Cowboys played the AFC Champion Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. It took fourteen ballots during the March owners meeting to select New Orleans’ 45-year-old Tulane Stadium as the site of the Super Bowl when construction of the new Louisiana Superdome ran behind schedule. Although this was the Dolphins first appearance in the NFL’s title game after only six years in the league, it was 41-year-old Don Shula’s second Super Bowl appearance in only his second year as Miami’s head coach. His first was as the Baltimore Colts head coach when they lost to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III.

During the first half of the season, Dallas Head Coach Tom Landry decided to alternate his quarterbacks. Roger Staubach and Craig Morton traded starts through six games, with the two alternating every play during the seventh week. The result was a mediocre 4-3 record. Finally, in the eighth week, Landry settled on the 29-year-old Staubach as his starter. The Cowboys subsequently won nine straight, including two playoff games. The third-year signal caller finished with a regular season record of 10-0, completing 126 of 211 passes for 1,882 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions. Staubach’s QBR of 104.8 led the league while his 59.7 completion percentage was third overall.

The first time Pro Bowler was also a terrific rusher, gaining 343 yards on 41 carries and two touchdowns. Said Cold Hard Football Facts of Staubach’s 1971 season, “Staubach finally out-jockeyed Craig Morton for the starting gig with the Cowboys … and instantly produced one of the greatest passing seasons in history. The numbers are not big and gaudy, but they were ruthlessly efficient –- the 104.8 passer rating truly amazing in a season in which the average rating was 62.2. His 8.9 [yards-per-attempt] in the regular season is phenomenal in any era.” Although drafted in 1964, the “future” pick didn’t play professionally until 1969 due to his naval commitment. Staubach had come of age.

Meanwhile, Morton, finishing his seventh season, completed 78 of 143 passes (54.5%) for 1,131 yards, 7 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and a QBR of 73.5. Wide receiver Bob Hayes, also in his seventh year, again led Dallas in receiving yards. The two time All-Pro finished with 840 yards on 35 receptions and an NFL leading 24.0 yards per catch, scoring 8 touchdowns. Hayes was followed closely by new Cowboys wideout Lance Alworth, acquired from the San Diego Chargers in the offseason, and longtime Chicago Bears tight end Mike Ditka with 34 and 30 receptions respectively. Sixth year fullback Walt Garrison led all Dallas receivers with 40 catches for 396 yards and 1 touchdown.

The 1966 fifth round draft pick also rushed for 429 yards on 127 attempts and another touchdown. For the second straight season, halfback Duane Thomas led the Cowboys with 793 yards on 175 carries (4.5 yards per rush) and an NFL leading 11 touchdowns. However, Dallas had problems with their star running back. In only in his second year, Thomas was upset the Cowboys would not renegotiate his contract after an excellent rookie campaign. He’d stopped talking to the press, as well as almost everyone on the team, since the beginning of the season. Former All-Pro halfback Calvin Hill, in his third season, finished second in rushing with 468 yards on 109 carries (4.4 yard per rush).

Mike Clark led the team in scoring with 86 points, converting 52% of his field goals (13 of 25). Although rookie Ike Thomas returned only seven kickoffs, he brought back two for touchdowns. Overall, Dallas finished first in scoring with 406 points, 2nd in passing yards (2,786), and 3rd in rushing yards (2,249). Meanwhile, the “Doomsday Defense” had given up only one touchdown in the last 14 quarters including two playoff wins. The line was again anchored by their tackles, seven-time All-Pro Bob Lilly and seven-year veteran Jethro Pugh. Pugh led the team with 13.5 sacks, second most in the league. Five-time All-Pro Chuck Howley, in his 14th season, led the linebackers with five picks.

Eleven-year cornerback Herb Adderley, in his second year with the Cowboys, combined with eighth year cornerback Mel Renfro to lead the secondary. Adderley, a five-time All-Pro with the Green Bay Packers, led the team with six interceptions. Renfro, with four interceptions, had been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his eight seasons. In total, the defense boasted five future Hall of Famers including Lilly, Howley, Adderley, Renfro, and second year free safety Cliff Harris. The Cowboys finished second in the league in rushing yards allowed (1,144) and seventh in scoring, giving up 222 points. However, the defense struggled against the pass, allowing 2,324 yards, finishing 19th overall.

Meanwhile, Miami was founded as an AFL expansion franchise by attorney-politician Joe Robbie and actor-comedian Danny Thomas in 1965, beginning play in 1966. The Dolphins struggled to win during their first four seasons under Head Coach George Wilson, compiling a record of 15-39-2, before he was fired in February 1970. Despite an unimpressive record, the former Detroit Lions head coach had several draft picks and made trades that allowed Miami to acquire players who would be instrumental in the team’s success; drafting Bob Griese in 1967, Larry Csonka in 1968, and Mercury Morris in 1969, as well as trades for Nick Buoniconti in 1969 and Paul Warfield in 1970.

When Shula was hired as head coach that same February in 1970, the former Colts head man introduced himself to the City of Miami by saying that he didn’t have any magic formulas and that the only way he knew to make his teams successful was hard work. The three-time NFL Coach of the Year was known for his intensity, and his early training camps with the Dolphins become the stuff of legend. The result was a dramatic turnaround. Miami went from 3-10-1 in 1969 to 10-4 and making the playoffs as a wild card, losing to the Oakland Raiders in the Divisional Playoffs. In 1971, they improved to 10-3-1, winning eight straight after starting 1-1-1, going all the way to the Super Bowl.

The offense was based around the NFL’s top-rated running game (2,429 yards), led by fourth year running backs Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. Csonka rushed for 1,051 yards on 195 attempts, a league leading 5.4 yards per carry, scoring 8 total touchdowns. The first time All-Pro finished third overall in rushing yards. The versatile Kiick, like Csonka a two-time Pro Bowler, rushed for 738 yards on 162 carries (4.6 yards per attempt) and 3 touchdowns while also finishing second on the team in catches with 40 for 338 yards. Third year halfback Mercury Morris, also a Pro Bowler in 1971, added 315 yards on just 57 carries (5.5 yards per carry). The three backs fumbled only twice the entire season.

Miami’s passing game, while an essential compliment to their ground attack, finished only 19th out of 26 teams (1,983 yards). Fifth year quarterback Bob Griese, a first time All-Pro, completed 145 of 263 (55.1%) for 2,089 yards, 19 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, and a QBR of 90.9. The four-time Pro Bowler finished second in the NFL in both QBR and touchdown passes while finishing sixth overall in completion percentage. Griese’s major weapon was wide receiver Paul Warfield. The eight-year veteran, five-time Pro Bowler, and first time All-Pro spent six successful seasons with the Cleveland Browns before being acquired by the Dolphins for the third overall selection in the 1970 draft.

The trade shocked Warfield, who had established himself as one of the Browns’ most popular players. “I have to admit going to Miami was not a place I desired to go,” said Warfield 30 years later. In 1971, Warfield led the team with 43 catches for 996 yards, had an amazing 23.2 yards per catch average, and a league leading 11 touchdowns. He also finished second overall in both receiving yards and yards per catch. Kiick was second on the team in catches (40) followed by wideout Howard Twilley with 23 for 349 yards and 4 touchdowns. Garo Yepremian made 28 of 40 field goals and all 33 extra points for a league leading 117 points. His field goal percentage was second overall.

The offense finished fourth overall in scoring with 315 points. The defense was also a major contributor to Miami’s success, finishing 3rd in points (174), 6th in passing yards (2,000), and 8th in rushing yards allowed (1,661). The line was led by ends Bill Stanfill and Jim Riley as well as fourth year tackle Manny Fernandez. Stanfill, in his third year, was selected to his second Pro Bowl. Fernandez led the team with 8 sacks followed by Riley, in his final season, with 7.5. Five-time All-Pro Nick Buoniconti, in 10th season, led the linebacking corps. First time Pro Bowl safety Jake Scott led Miami’s secondary with 7 picks. He was also the team’s punt returner, finishing 3rd overall in yards per return.

According to Staubach, Dallas’ game plan was to neutralize Miami’s key offensive and defensive players, Warfield and Buoniconti. Warfield was double teamed by Mel Renfro and safety Cornell Green. Since the running game was key to the Cowboys’ offense, Landry wanted to take the quick reacting Buoniconti out of each play. Two offensive linemen, usually guard John Niland and center Dave Manders, were assigned to block Buoniconti. Combined with counterplays and the excellent cutback running of Thomas, this tactic ultimately proved very successful. According to the 1966 Coach of the Year and future Hall of Famer, Dallas felt confident about the outcome going into the game.

The temperature at kickoff was a windy 39 degrees, making this the coldest Super Bowl to date. Each team began the game by trading punts on their initial possessions. On the first play of the Dolphins second possession, Csonka swept around right end for 12 yards, moving the ball for the first time into Cowboy territory. Little did the 25-year-old fullback know it would be his longest gain of the day. On the next play, Csonka fumbled a handoff from Griese, his first of the season. The ball was recovered by Chuck Howley at the Cowboys 48-yard line. Dallas then drove to the Miami 2-yard line in 11 plays, but ultimately had to settle for Clark’s 9-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead late in the first period.

On the third play of the Dolphins next possession, from their own 38-yard line, Griese was sacked by Bob Lilly for a record 29-yard loss to end the period, creating one of the more enduring images in Super Bowl history. After a Cowboy punt, Miami drove to the Dallas 42-yard line. But the drive stalled and ended on the seventh play with no points after Yepremian missed a 49-yard field goal try. After again trading punts, the Cowboys drove 76 yards in 9 plays, culminating in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Staubach to ten-year veteran and future Hall of Famer Lance Alworth to increase their lead to 10-0. The Dolphins began their next drive with 1:15 left in the half from their own 32-yard line.

Griese made the most of the opportunity, completing three consecutive passes for 44 total yards. The highlight was a 29-yard pass to Warfield to reach the Dallas 24-yard line. After an incompletion, Miami settled for Yepremian’s 31-yard field goal to cut their deficit to 10-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Cowboys took control. They opened with a 71 yard, 8 play drive, regularly running outside the Dolphin’s defense, highlighted by a Duane Thomas 23-yard romp. Dallas scored on a 3-yard Thomas sweep, upping their lead to 17-3. The Cowboys defense then dominated Miami, preventing them from getting a first down and moving beyond their own 42-yard line the entire third period.

The Dolphin offense was, in Shula’s words, “destroyed.” They did manage to make it to midfield early in the final quarter, but Howley ended the drive by intercepting Griese’s pass and returning it 41 yards to the Miami 9. Three plays later, Staubach completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Ditka, increasing Dallas’ lead to 24-3 with 12 minutes left in the game. Miami started their next possession at their own 23-yard line and mounted just their third sustained drive of the game, reaching the Cowboy 16-yard line in only six plays. However, the Dolphins last gasp ended when Griese fumbled the snap and the ball was recovered by Dallas fourth year defensive end Larry Cole at the 20-yard line.

The Cowboys then mounted an 11-play drive to the Miami 1 yard line, running almost seven minutes off the clock. It featured just a single pass, a 21-yard completion from Staubach to Ditka, and a fake field goal attempt on 4th and 1 at the Dolphin 20-yard line. However, on first and goal from the one, Calvin Hill fumbled while attempting to dive across the goal line. The ball was recovered at the 4-yard line by Miami with just under two minutes remaining. Miami then ran four meaningless plays to end the game. At last, after six attempts in six seasons, Dallas had won their first NFL Championship, 24-3. They were also the first team to win a Super Bowl after losing it the previous year.

The Dolphins held the record for least number of points scored in a Super Bowl until the Los Angeles Rams did the same against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. Staubach was named MVP, completing 12 of 19 for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Cowboys ran for a team record 252 yards, including Thomas’ 95 yards on 19 carries. Staubach surmises that Thomas would have been named MVP if he’d cooperated with the press prior to the game. In the postgame locker room, flustered CBS reporter Tom Brookshier asked Thomas a long-winded question, the gist of which was “You’re fast, aren’t you?” Thomas, who had shunned the press all year, simply said “Evidently.”

Conclusion: Try, Try Again summaries the season for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. After years of futility, Dallas had finally won the big game. No longer would they be referred to as “next year’s champion”. On the other hand, Green Bay was starting over with a new coach and, for all intents and purposes, a new team. Many of the last remnants from the Packers’ glory years had retired, been released, or traded away. As the 1971 season ended, only future Hall of Famers Ray Nitschke and Willie Wood remained from the 1961 NFL Championship team, Vince Lombardi’s first. Truth be told, the cupboard was mostly bare by the time Lombardi had left Green Bay.

However, after his first season, the jury was out regarding whether or not Head Coach Dan Devine was the right choice to lead the Packers back to the promised land. Said Stanton Greene, “Devine’s tendency to over talk everything had not endeared him to Packer fans, players, or the press, but … he was a rookie and [was] given the benefit of the rookie season.” Still, heading into the 1972 offseason, there were signs of division between the players and the head coach. While Devine had a strong rushing attack and an improving defense, the passing game was an obvious weakness. Coming off of consecutive losing seasons and with the team in transition, expectations were not high.

To end this post, I’ve attached the NFL Films Super Bowl VI Highlight video, narrated once again by the great John Facenda.

As always, your feedback is appreciated!