1970: Dolphins VS Lions

[74_75_78_79_]

Who's best between these two 10-4 wild cards from the same season? Neither, of course, played each other in '70.

[BD Sullivan]

Who's best between these two 10-4 wild cards from the same season? Neither, of course, played each other in '70.

Lions, since they had the tougher schedule.

Both had midseason three-game losing streaks that threatened to knock them out of contention before bouncing back with lengthy winning streaks to close out the regular season.

The Lions started the season by winning their first two games by a combined 78-3 score. Their four losses came in two games against the Vikes, a 31-10 Week 4 loss at Washington and Dempsey's miracle 63-yard kick. That second loss versus Minny (at the Met) was a heartbreaker: Vikes at their own 47 with less than two minutes to play and trailing 20-17. A 49-yard catch by Jim Lindsey sets up a four-yard TD run. The Lions had led 20 -10

Dolphins weren't quite there yet, exhibiting definite streakiness. They lost their opener to the Pats, then won four in a row. They then were shut humiliated in consecutive shutout losses to the Browns and Colts, losing by 63-0. After losing to Philly, they started their playoff run--ironically beating the Saints the week after Dempsey's kick--which started Detroit's run.

[JWL]

I think the Lions were better. They outscored their opponents by more points than did Miami. I don't know what else to go by.