The Day Miami Dolphins Made NFL History With a Perfect Season
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
In a league built on parity, injuries, and weekly chaos, perfection is supposed to be impossible. Yet in 1972, the Miami Dolphins did the unthinkable. They didn’t just win a Super Bowl—they won every single game, creating a standard the NFL has never seen matched since. More than five decades later, the Dolphins’ perfect season remains one of the most untouchable achievements in sports history.
How the 1972 Miami Dolphins Built an Unbeaten Team
The foundation of the perfect season was laid long before the 1972 kickoff. Head coach Don Shula, already regarded as one of football’s sharpest minds, assembled a roster that emphasized discipline, depth, and balance.
The Dolphins did not rely on flashy offense. Instead, they dominated through:
- A punishing rushing attack
- A suffocating defense
- Smart, mistake-free football
Shula later summarized it best:
“We weren’t built to impress. We were built to win.”
That mindset defined the season.
The Regular Season: 14 Wins Without a Loss for Miami Dolphins
During the 1972 regular season, the Dolphins finished 14–0, at a time when the NFL played a 14-game schedule. Quarterback Bob Griese suffered a broken ankle in Week 5, yet Miami didn’t collapse. Backup Earl Morrall stepped in and led the team to nine straight wins, proving the roster’s depth and preparation.
The Ground Game That Carried a Perfect Season
The 1972 Dolphins were powered by one of the most dominant rushing attacks in NFL history. Miami became the first team ever to have two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season (Csonka and Morris).
Mercury Morris later said:
“We didn’t care who got the yards. We cared that the clock kept moving and the wins kept coming.”
The Defense That Made Perfection Possible
Miami allowed just 171 points all season, an average of 10.7 points per game, including playoffs.
The 1972 NFL Playoffs: Three Wins to Immortality
Miami entered the postseason undefeated and finished it that way.
AFC Divisional Playoff
Dolphins defeated the Cleveland Browns 20–14
AFC Championship Game
Dolphins defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 21–17
Super Bowl VII
Dolphins defeated the Washington Redskins 14–7
Bob Griese returned at quarterback for the Super Bowl, while the defense sealed perfection by allowing just one touchdown off a blocked field goal return.
When the final whistle blew, the Dolphins stood alone at 17–0.
Why No Team Has Matched the Dolphins’ Perfect Season
Several teams have come close, but none have matched Miami’s achievement.
2007 New England Patriots: 18–0 before losing Super Bowl XLII
1985 Chicago Bears: 18–1
1998 Minnesota Vikings: 15–1
The Legacy of the NFL’s Only Perfect Season
The 1972 Miami Dolphins didn’t just win games; they created a benchmark that defines greatness. In today’s expanded seasons, salary caps, and playoff formats, perfection may be harder than ever.
That reality makes the Dolphins’ achievement even more remarkable with time.
FAQs About the Miami Dolphins’ Perfect Season
Q1. What year did the Miami Dolphins go undefeated?
A. The Dolphins completed a perfect season in 1972, finishing 17–0, including the playoffs.
Q2. How many games did the Dolphins win in 1972?
A. They won 14 regular-season games and three playoff games, including Super Bowl VII.
Q3. Has any team gone undefeated and won the Super Bowl since?
A. No. The 1972 Dolphins remain the only team to achieve this feat.
Q4. Who was the head coach of the 1972 Dolphins?
A. Hall of Fame coach Don Shula led the team.
Q5. Why is the perfect season still important today?
A. It represents the highest standard in NFL history, complete dominance without a single loss.
