Super Bowl VII
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| Super Bowl VII | |
|---|---|
| Stadium | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| City | Los Angeles |
| Visitor | Washington Redskins |
| Visitor abbr | WAS |
| Visitor conf | NFC |
| Visitor division | NFC East |
| Visitor record | 11–3 |
| Visitor coach | George Allen |
| Visitor qb | Billy Kilmer |
| Visitor odds | −1 |
| Home | Miami Dolphins |
| Home abbr | MIA |
| Home conf | AFC |
| Home division | AFC East |
| Home record | 14–0 |
| Home coach | Don Shula |
| Home qb | Bob Griese |
| Home odds | −1 |
| Favorite | Pick 'em |
| Referee | Tom Bell |
| Attendance | 90,182 |
| Network | NBC |
| Announcers | Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis |
| Halftime | Woody Herman and the University of Michigan and UCLA marching bands |
| Rating | 42.7 |
| Share | 72 |
| Commercial | $88,000 |
| Last | VI |
| Next | VIII |
Super Bowl VII was an American football game played on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. It pitted the American Football Conference champion Miami Dolphins against the National Football Conference champion Washington Redskins, with the Don Shula-coached Dolphins completing the only perfect season in National Football League history with a 14–7 victory. The contest was the culmination of the 1972 NFL season and featured a dominant defensive performance that secured the franchise's first Super Bowl championship.
Background
The 1972 Miami Dolphins entered the game with a historic 16–0 record, having gone undefeated through the regular season and playoffs behind the leadership of coach Don Shula and quarterback Bob Griese. Their "No-Name Defense," coordinated by Bill Arnsparger, led the AFC in fewest points allowed. Their opponents, the Washington Redskins, coached by George Allen, boasted the league's top scoring offense, nicknamed the "Over-the-Hill Gang" and led by quarterback Billy Kilmer. The Redskins' path included a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game. This matchup marked the first Super Bowl appearance for both franchises, setting the stage for a clash between Miami's defensive perfection and Washington's potent attack.
Game summary
The Dolphins controlled the game from the outset, with Bob Griese efficiently managing an offense that featured running backs Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. Miami's defense set the tone early, as Jake Scott intercepted Billy Kilmer on Washington's opening drive. Howard Twilley caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Griese in the second quarter for the game's first points. After a Garo Yepremian field goal, the Dolphins led 14–0 at halftime. The second half became a defensive struggle, with the No-Name Defense stifling the Over-the-Hill Gang. The only Washington score came in the fourth quarter after a now-infamous blunder by Garo Yepremian; his blocked field goal attempt resulted in a fumble and a 49-yard touchdown return by Mike Bass. Miami's defense held firm on Washington's final possession, with Jake Scott securing a second interception to seal the victory and the perfect season.
Aftermath and legacy
The victory cemented the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only team in NFL history to achieve a perfect season and Super Bowl championship, a feat that remains unmatched. Players like Larry Csonka, Bob Griese, and Nick Buoniconti were enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while coach Don Shula further solidified his legendary status. The game is also famously remembered for the Garo Yepremian play, which became a staple of Super Bowl highlight reels. For the Washington Redskins, the loss was a setback, but coach George Allen would lead the team to another Super Bowl appearance two years later. Super Bowl VII's legacy endures primarily for Miami's perfection, a benchmark against which all subsequent great NFL teams are measured.
Officials
* Referee: Tom Bell (#52) * Umpire: Lou Palazzi (#72) * Head Linesman: Tony Veteri (#42) * Line Judge: Bruce Alford (#37) * Field Judge: Fritz Graf (#17) * Back Judge: Pete Liske (#60) * Alternate Referee: Bob Frederic (#12) * Alternate Umpire: Hank Schoeder (#84)
The crew was led by veteran referee Tom Bell, who was working his first Super Bowl. The game was notable for its lack of major officiating controversies, with the crew managing the historic contest efficiently.
Final statistics
The statistical dominance of the Dolphins' defense was evident. Miami held a 276–228 advantage in total yards and controlled the ball for over 33 minutes. Larry Csonka rushed for 112 yards, while Bob Griese completed 8 of 11 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Jake Scott had two interceptions for 63 return yards, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. For Washington, Billy Kilmer was held to 14 completions for 104 yards and three interceptions, and running back Larry Brown was limited to 72 rushing yards. The Dolphins' defensive unit forced four turnovers, directly contributing to the victory that completed their 17–0 perfect season.