Marino's Best Shot Since '84?

[ShinobiMusashi]

I liked the thread about the Cowboys so copying that here with Marino. As we all know the Dolphins failed to ever get back to a Super Bowl after XIX in 84-85. What do you feel was really the season that he was the closest?

[CSKreager]

1992

If the Oilers hold onto 35-3, the Dolphins make it to Pasadena

[7DnBrnc53]

1992

If the Oilers hold onto 35-3, the Dolphins make it to Pasadena

If the Dolphins play the Oilers in the AFC Title Game, I'm not so sure they beat them. They did beat them 19-16 that year, but it was at home, and the Oilers didn't have Warren Moon at QB.

Also, if they played the way they did against Houston that they did against the Bills, there's no way they win, especially against a more talented Oiler team with way more belief in itself than any other time in their postseason history (with that crew).

Honestly, I would vote 1985 instead. If they beat the Pats, they would have had some confidence going into the SB because they beat the 46 defense that year.

[Brian wolf]

1985, 1983 and 1992 were his best shots. To be honest, I felt the Dolphins might have overlooked the Patriots after the Bears shutout the Rams in the 85/86 NFC championship game. The team just seemed off in that championship game. The Patriots finally got a rush on Marino and the secondary was outstanding.

In 1983, it seemed destined that the Dolphins would face the Raiders again but Seattle controlled the ball with recently deceased, Ken Easley knocking people around in their secondary, getting the upset in Miami during the playoff. I dont feel Marino and the Dolphins would have beaten the Raiders anyway.

The 1992 AFC Championship game was a great opportunity, but the Dolphins had too many turnovers against Buffalo.

[74_75_78_79_]

IMO, in the event or Bills not coming back, whether its at Pittsburgh or home against Houston in the AFCCG, Dolphins don't make the SB in '92; and Cowboys wallop whoever they play.

Dolphins out-scoring the Bills in the '90 divisional, I guess, is their FWIW best shot. I think they beat a now-Bo-less Raiders team even in LA considering just how bad they played at Buffalo in real life. They vs the Giants in SBXXV is not a nail-biter, I think, but Miami at least get within 10-14 points whereas I feel da Bears beat them by even more in a hypo-SBXX event.

[ShinobiMusashi]

All good ones. I feel like 92 was the best answer, they had that Bills team right where they wanted them, at home in Miami in the AFCCG, the Bills were dealing with injuries and weren't even supposed to be there. I could not imagine being a Dolphins fan in the stadium that day and watching that beat down thinking you are about to celebrate a trip to the Super Bowl on that day.

But an underrated answer I feel is 98. On paper in the record and fact book I always read right past that 98 Dolphins team in those past standings. But watching through that season over the Summer via Youtube, man that Dolphins team had a great shot that year. They had the best defense in the NFL. Marino mistakes cost them about 4 critical games that year, there was really nobody to blame but Marino, interceptions or fumbles in the pocket holding the ball. Then when they play Denver in the playoffs I believe both starting DE's were out, Jason Taylor and Trace Armstrong if I'm not mistaken. That Dolphins team in 98 was way better than they look on paper. If a few of those close losses go the other way they lock down home field advantage at least a #2 seed.