12/1/20


Jay C. Brandriet


The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently 10-0.

Somewhere, the 1972 Dolphins are lurking in the shadows. I’m sure they are a little nervous. They are more likely looking for their champagne bottles and cigars. They are of course, the only undefeated single season team in NFL history. These guys are very proud and unified over their historic feat.

Miami ruled in arguably the golden age of the NFL. The 1970’s were bad ass, and so were the teams on top of the football world.

Many (including NFL Films) have called this squad “the best to ever play.”

The 72′ Dolphins can’t possibly be the best team ever.

WHY DO I CLAIM THEY CAN’T BE THE BEST?

A ton of teams would be in the debate and comparing eras is impossible?

Yes, true.

They didn’t match up with Lombardi at the Packers peak?

Because they played at a time where they could get away with throwing the ball once in the second half of a Super Bowl?

The field goal post was sitting on the goal line?

Because the 1970’s Steelers and Cowboys had sexier rosters?

They never played against the 85′ Bears?

Do they get less credit because they never faced Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Ronnie Lott?

I guarantee the 1991 Redskins think they’d beat Miami by 20.

They were never leaned on by the mid 1990’s Cowboys O line?

Never competed against Brady and Belichick?

Not really.

These things are not the 72′ Dolphins problem or fault. They were given their report cards long ago, and received an A plus plus.

It also gives them the right to have an extra healthy self esteem.

Here is the hardest part to dispute.

THE 72′ DOLPHINS THEMSELVES, THINK THE 73′ TEAM WAS BETTER.

“There’s no question about it. We are a better team than we were a year ago at this time. I think we went beyond last year even though we were 17-0.”

-Don Shula

Many men from those rosters have echoed similar words.

The 73′ group was also a world champion. They destroyed their playoff competition. The 72′ team had to wiggle by, and were even the underdog in the Super Bowl.

They beat stronger teams than the 1972 group did.

They had a better point differential and were just more dominant in 73′.

But they were “only 15-2.”

Where do I think the 72′ Dolphins rank among best single season teams?

Difficult to say. Between 10 and 15 maybe?

Perfection is its own category, and is hard to ignore.

It’s also buried the existence of the 1973 Dolphins.

In this case, “perfect” is not as good as “the best.”

Jay C. Brandriet