As Super Bowl festivities open in New Orleans, all eyes are on the teams vying for the championship this year, with a side of nostalgia for past title contenders. The week has already ignited discussions about the best Super Bowl teams in the league’s lore, courtesy of Nate Davis from USA Today’s rankings of the top 59 Super Bowl teams, covering both champions and strong contenders in honor of Super Bowl LIX. Among those elite lineups, two Miami Dolphins teams proudly secure spots in the top 10: the iconic 1972 team at number 4 and the stellar 1973 squad at number 10.
Let’s dive into Davis’ rationale for the selection, which seems sure to spark debate. The undefeated 1972 Dolphins, a team immortalized for its 17-0 season, lands at fourth.
Here’s the conundrum, as Davis sees it: while perfection is hard to argue with, the team’s path was lined with a significantly easier regular-season schedule. Their postseason victories displayed grit but were narrowly secured by a total of just 17 points.
Still, with a Hall of Fame roster and legendary coach Don Shula, this team’s legacy is undeniable. Yet, in Davis’ view, even against their contemporaries such as the Steelers, Cowboys, and Raiders, this impeccable squad, though remarkable, is edged out by a few others in the ultimate greatness stakes.
Offering a different perspective, let’s consider our own rankings of the Miami Dolphins’ Super Bowl runs:
- 1973 Team – Ranking this team above the legendary 1972 squad may raise some eyebrows, but consider their dominating playoff performance.
Winning their three playoff games by a cool 18, 17, and 17 points each, this team was not merely tacking wins. With a tougher schedule, their 12-2 record speaks of resilience and power that outshines even perfection.
- 1972 Team – This undefeated team is revered, and rightly so, for achieving something no other team has matched — perfection. Yet, they allowed more points than the 1973 Dolphins, and history shows they are one of only three Super Bowl champs who didn’t win a playoff match by more than seven points, a club that includes the 2001 Patriots and 2022 Chiefs.
- 1984 Team – The story of the 1984 Dolphins starts with a blazing 11-game win streak, finishing 14-2.
Their offense was setting records left and right. Sure, the defense didn’t match the offensive fireworks, but in many seasons, this squad would’ve been the champion if not for the extraordinarily balanced 1984 49ers team.
- 1971 Team – An infusion of youthful talent powered Miami to a 10-3-1 finish.
Their grit was never more evident than in the playoff victory against Kansas City in the longest game in NFL history. Despite a tough Super Bowl outing marred by turnovers, this team laid the groundwork for future glory.
- 1982 Team – Known for their ironclad “Killer B’s” defense, this crew nearly breached the ultimate prize despite a topsy-turvy, strike-shortened season.
With a respectable 7-2 record and tenacity through the AFC playoffs, they came close. Their one shortfall?
A passing game needing a spark, a need soon fulfilled with the drafting of Dan Marino.
The conversation around these rankings is as endless as it is fascinating. Each of these teams, in its own right, left an indelible mark on the Dolphins’ saga and the NFL annals. Whether it’s perfection, raw power, or sheer potential, these teams have showcased the DNA of championship-caliber football.