Super Bowl XIII January 13th 1974
Miami Dolphins 24-7 Minnesota Vikings
This was an easy win for strongly fancied Miami Dolphins who were appearing in their 3rd consecutive Super Bowl and were current holders following on from their 17-0 season. The didn’t quite manage another perfect record but were 12-2 on the season and ended up with a 15-2 record in lifting the trophy again.
Coached by the great Don Shula the Dolphins were trying to become the second team to hold the trophy in consecutive seasons and here the game was effectively over in the first quarter as Miami ran all over the Vikings putting two TDs on the board and leaving their opponents somewhat demoralised. Their run based offense continued throughout the game and Dolphins Quarter Back Brian Griese finished the game with six pass completions for 73 yards; however he only attempted 7 passes and they had no turnovers in an impressive display of controlled football.
The Minnesota Vikings were 24-0 down before they gained a consolation TD in the 4th quarter, by which time Miami had called off the hounds. It was notable that all the games touchdowns wre rushing ones, and that this was the first ever Super Bowl where an original AFL team had started as favourites.
Dolphins Running Back Larry Csonka was MVP thanks to his 145 rushing yards from 33 carries (the both Super Bowl records) and he also had 2 touch downs.
Many view the 1973 Dolphins as a better team than the 1972 side and had it not been for the loss of some key players to the World League at the end of the 1974 season the Dolphins would probably have added to their tally.
Venue: Rice Stadium Houston, Texas
Attendance – 71,882
Super Bowl XIII Video Highlights
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0m89scU-ls[/youtube]