Super Bowl VII: The Perfect Finish to a Perfect Season

On January 14, 1973, before a crowd of over 90,000 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, history was made. The Miami Dolphins completed the only perfect season in NFL history, finishing 17–0 with a 14–7 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII. It was a methodical, if not dramatic, triumph—one that cemented the Dolphins not just as champions, but as immortals.

The 1972 Dolphins remain the only NFL team to finish a season undefeated, including the postseason. Super Bowl VII was the final act in a year of dominance, driven by power running, suffocating defense, and strategic excellence under head coach Don Shula. While the game itself wasn’t a shootout or a back-and-forth thriller, its implications rippled across the sport for decades.

I. The Road to Super Bowl VII: Redemption and Perfection

The Dolphins entered the 1972 season with unfinished business. After being blown out 24–3 by the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI, Miami returned with renewed focus. Head coach Don Shula installed a more efficient offense, leaning heavily on his dual-threat backfield of Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris, with Jim Kiick adding flexibility. Quarterback Bob Griese, after recovering from a midseason injury, was protected by one of the league’s most dominant offensive lines, dubbed the "No-Name Offensive Line."

Defensively, the Dolphins’ "No-Name Defense" was disciplined, hard-hitting, and unheralded—but elite. Anchored by Nick Buoniconti, Jake Scott, Bill Stanfill, and Manny Fernandez, they led the league in total defense and scoring defense. The Dolphins swept the regular season 14–0 and then won two playoff games to enter Super Bowl VII with a pristine 16–0 record.

The Washington Redskins, led by Hall of Fame coach George Allen, were no slouch. The team boasted the "Over-the-Hill Gang"—a veteran-heavy roster of hard-nosed players like quarterback Billy Kilmer, wide receiver Charley Taylor, and linebacker Chris Hanburger. They had beaten the Packers and Cowboys in the playoffs and entered the Super Bowl at 13–3.

II. Game Flow: Defense, Strategy, and a Botched Kick

From the start, it was clear that Don Shula’s game plan was to control the clock, minimize mistakes, and win with defense. And that’s exactly what happened.

First Half

The Dolphins opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Bob Griese to wide receiver Howard Twilley. Griese threw just 11 passes all game—only 8 completions for 88 yards—but his decisions were efficient and mistake-free.

In the second quarter, Miami extended their lead to 14–0 with a Jim Kiick 1-yard touchdown run, following a fumble recovery and a grind-it-out ground attack that typified the Dolphins’ style.

Washington struggled to gain momentum. Billy Kilmer threw three interceptions, including two by Super Bowl MVP Jake Scott, who patrolled the secondary with intelligence and instinct. The Redskins' offense was disjointed, gaining just 228 total yards on the day.

Second Half

The third quarter saw both defenses stiffen, with no points scored. Miami focused on maintaining field position, running the ball with Csonka and Morris, who combined for over 150 rushing yards.

Then came the most infamous moment of the game—and perhaps one of the strangest in Super Bowl history.

With just over 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter, and the Dolphins leading 14–0, kicker Garo Yepremian attempted a 42-yard field goal to ice the game. The kick was blocked by Washington’s Bill Brundige, and the ball bounced back toward Yepremian. In an ill-advised decision, Yepremian tried to pass it but fumbled the ball directly into the air. Redskins cornerback Mike Bass caught it and ran 49 yards for a touchdown.

Suddenly, the perfect season was on the line.

Miami’s lead shrank to 14–7. But the Dolphins' defense held strong, stopping Washington on their final possession and sealing the win—and perfection.

III. The Infamous Garo Moment

Garo Yepremian’s blunder became an instant part of NFL lore, replayed endlessly in blooper reels. While embarrassing, it didn’t cost the Dolphins the game—and in a way, it humanized a team otherwise seen as machine-like in their dominance.

As SuperBowi.com analyst Mark Riedel later joked:

“That pass gave every high school kicker a reason never to improvise—and every NFL fan a reason to breathe during a blowout.”

Yepremian himself later laughed about it, embracing his role in football history.

IV. MVP Jake Scott: Unsung No Longer

The MVP honors went to safety Jake Scott, who finished with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. His play was instrumental in preventing any real Redskins momentum.

Scott’s recognition was particularly important, as it symbolized the value of Miami’s defense-first approach. The "No-Name Defense," though often overlooked compared to the Steelers' "Steel Curtain" or the Bears’ “Monsters of the Midway,” played with relentless discipline and intelligence.

SuperBowi.com columnist Darlene Hsu summed it up:

“Jake Scott’s performance was a spotlight on the dark horse. The Dolphins didn’t win with flash—they won with fundamentals.”

V. Game Statistics & Notables

• Bob Griese: 8/11, 88 yds, 1 TD
• Larry Csonka: 15 rushes, 112 yds
• Jake Scott: 2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery
• Garo Yepremian: 1 iconic blunder

VI. Aftermath and Legacy

For the Dolphins

Miami’s perfect season was complete—17–0, a mark never repeated. They would return to win Super Bowl VIII the following year, dominating the Minnesota Vikings and furthering their dynasty. But the 1972 season and Super Bowl VII remain their crowning achievement.

The legacy of the perfect season became something of a living legend. Every year, when the last undefeated NFL team loses, members of the 1972 Dolphins reportedly raise a glass to their still-intact record.

For the Redskins

Though disappointed, the Redskins remained competitive under George Allen for several years, even reaching Super Bowl XVIII a decade later under Joe Gibbs. The loss served as a motivator and learning moment for the franchise.

VII. Cultural and Historical Significance

Super Bowl VII didn’t rely on explosive plays or dazzling stats. Instead, it was about control, discipline, and the power of redemption. Don Shula, who had endured criticism after the Colts' loss in Super Bowl III to the Jets, finally exorcised that ghost with a masterful coaching performance.

• The Dolphins’ undefeated season remains the benchmark for greatness.
• The game highlighted the value of team identity, with Miami leaning into its run game and defensive strategy rather than flashy changes.
• Super Bowl VII also contributed to the mythos of Shula, who would go on to become the winningest coach in NFL history.

VIII. Final Reflections

Super Bowl VII may not have thrilled in the conventional sense, but its historical weight remains unrivaled. It concluded the only perfect season in NFL history and offered a masterclass in how to win a championship with strategy, toughness, and cohesion.

As time passes, the 14–7 score may fade, but the symbolism won’t. The Miami Dolphins didn’t just win a football game—they completed a storybook season that no other team has ever matched.

And if anyone doubts how hard it is to go undefeated, they only need to look at how many 15–1 or 16–0 teams have fallen short since.

In the pantheon of Super Bowl history, Super Bowl VII doesn’t need fireworks to earn its place. Its significance comes not from the drama of a comeback or a last-second score—but from the weight of a perfect record, finalized and preserved forever.