The 1971/1972 Dolphins vs the 1971 Cowboys

[saturdaysarebetter]

In comparing the '71 Miami Dolphins (10-3-1) to the '72 Miami Dolphins (14-0) some things I've encountered:

- Obviously, the addition of including Mercury Morris more in the running attack. Perhaps the biggest difference between the two years.
- In 1971, the Dolphins scored 315 points and allowed 174 points scored.
- In 1972, the Dolphins scored 385 points and allowed 171 points scored. 70 more points on offense which over a 14-game season breaks down to an additional five points per game.

The following players received Pro Bowl and/or All-Pro recognition:
- In 1971, Griese, Csonka, Morris (KR), Warfield, Little, Stanfill and Scott
- In 1972, Morrall, Csonka, Morris, Warfield, Little, Evans, Stanfill, Buoniconti, Anderson and Scott

- In 1971, the Dolphins offense gained 2,429 yards rushing and 1,983 yards passing.
- In 1972, the Dolphins offense gained 2,960 yards rushing and 2,076 yards passing. The Mercury Morris effect although Jim Kiick wasn't a slouch in 1971 rushing for 738 yards. Morris' speed allowing the Dolphins to run outside.

- In 1971, the Dolphins defense allowed 1,661 yards rushing and 2,000 yards passing.
- In 1972, the Dolphins defense allowed 1,548 yards rushing and 1,749 yards passing.

The offense and defense improved in 1972 for the Dolphins.

The 1971 Dallas Cowboys dominated the 1971 Miami Dolphins defeating them 24-3 in Super Bowl VI.

Statiscally, the 1972 Dolphins did not dominate the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII. Miami had 12 first downs, Washington 16. Miami had 253 total yards, Washington 228. Despite the memory of Manny Fernandez's dominance, both teams had two sacks. Miami rushed for 184 yards, Washington for 141.

How would the 1971 Dallas Cowboys have fared against the 1972 Miami Dolphins and how do you see that game playing out? Advantages? Mis-matches? Would the 1971 Cowboys defense again shut down the Dolphins running game?

[74_75_78_79_]

Nice! Great, very fitting, Chess pic!

Should be a fun topic! I’m very surprised it hasn’t taken off yet!

Better unbeaten team? The 17-0 Dolphins? Or the 10-0 Cowboys (once the 4-3 start was out the way)?

[saturdaysarebetter]

Thank you. I love that pic too. I'm hoping for some football strategy talk on this one.

The '71 Cowboys manhandled that '71 Dolphins team 24-3 and had future hall of famers galore all over the field and bench: Lilly, Staubach, Ditka, Hayes, Alworth, Wright, Gregg (though not a starter), Howley, Adderly, Renfro, and Cliff Harris.

Was a year of maturity and the addition of Mercury Morris being involved more in the running attack enough to tilt the scale in the Dolphins favor?

I wouldn't ask that about the '73 Dolphins as I felt the '73 Dolphins were better, destroying their post-season opponents, than the '72 undefeated team that won each post-season game by a touchdown or less.

[Brian wolf]

Dolphins beat the Cowboys in 1973. A younger Dallas team than from 1971. I might be in the minority, but had Herb Adderley started against Washington in the 1972 NFC Championship game over Charlie Waters ... the Cowboys win and end the Dolphins winning streak in LA ...

[JuggernautJ]

Despite being a 49ers and Steelers fan that 1971 Cowboys team is one of my all-time favorites... I have no idea why but there you have it.

As a fan I'd like to agree with you Brian but I don't know.
I agree that starting Adderley would've been the more prudent move but I'm not sure that would've been enough to change the outcome of the 1972 NFC Championship game (not to mention a hypothetical Super Bowl).
If we look at the Box score for that game the Cowboys had only 8 first downs and scored only 3 points.

I think the hamstring injury to Bob Hayes and the absence of Duane Thomas might've been too much for the Cowboys to overcome.


But the 1971 team, with both those players at full speed would be a different story.
The '71 Cowboys were a really good team... as were the 1972 Dolphins.
I can't honestly say I can predict a winner with any kind of certainty but I know that it'd be one heck of a game and I'd have loved to see it!
And I know who I'd be rooting for...

(Last minute thought: How would the '72 Dolphins O-line fare against the '71 Cowboys D-Line?
Was there a vast difference that would've made the '72 Dolphins better able to contain Lily, Pugh et al?)

[Brian wolf]

Good call Jay, but I look at it like this ... with Adderley matching up better against Charley Taylor, than Waters, that keeps the big plays to a minimum, if any. If the Cowboys stay close, Staubach finds away at the end ... hard to do down 14 points or more.

For me, Staubach was like Montana ... the longer an opposing defense kept him hanging around, the better chance he would beat them.

[Jay Z]

Staubach was more of a big play QB, not really like Montana or even Bart Starr. The big play part worked well as a contrast to Landry.

I don't like the 1972 Cowboys that much. I don't even think they could have beaten the 1972 Packers in the playoffs. Because Landry never would have done the five man line, and the Packers could defend the pass and comebacks better than the 49ers could.

Otherwise they were aging in key spots. They did get Billy Parks for Thomas and they needed him and Ron Sellers. So I'm not sure keeping Thomas, assuming he would have played, would have helped all that much with the decline of Alworth and Ditka.

Adderley didn't respect Landry and the Flex, I don't respect the Flex either, it was great if you wanted to highlight DL play but not for pass defense. Adderley was in his 12th year and tried to come back in 1973 with other teams and was cut. So he might have been gassed anyway, he was old.