November 6, 2024 • 10 mins
The Miami Dolphins, representing the AFC, were a team on the rise. Under head coach Don Shula, who had joined the team in 1970, the Dolphins had quickly become contenders. They finished the regular season with a 10, 3 and1 record and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Colts in the playoffs to earn their first Super Bowl berth. The Dolphins' offense was led by quarterback Bob Greasy, a precise passer who excelled in Shula's ball-control offense. Greasy had a talented receiving corps, headlined by Paul Warfield, a future Hall of Famer known for his speed and route-running ability. Miami’s ground game was their true strength, featuring the bruising Larry Zonka and the versatile Jim Kiick. This duo, along with Mercury Morris, formed what would become known as "The Perfect Backfield" in the following season. On defense, the Dolphins were anchored by linebacker Nick Buoniconti and safety Dick Anderson. While not as celebrated as Dallas's unit, the Miami defense had proven itself capable throughout the season and playoffs. As game day approached, the Cowboys were favored, but many expected a close, competitive game. The Dolphins were seen as a young, hungry team on the rise, while the Cowboys were looking to shake off the disappointment of the previous year and claim their place atop the NFL. The game began with both teams feeling each other out. The Cowboys received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt after a quick three-and-out. The Dolphins' first possession showed promise, with Greasy completing a couple of passes to move the chains. However, the drive stalled, and Miami was forced to punt as well. The first score of the game came midway through the first quarter when Cowboys kicker Mike Clark connected on a 9-yard field goal, giving Dallas a 3-0 lead. This score was set up by a 41-yard pass from Staubach to Hayes, showcasing the quick-strike ability of the Dallas offense. The Dolphins responded with a drive of their own, moving into Cowboys territory. However, the Dallas defense stiffened, forcing Miami to attempt a 49-yard field goal. Kicker Garo Yepremian's attempt fell short, keeping the score 3 to 0 in favor of the Cowboys. As the second quarter began, the Cowboys started to assert their dominance. Staubach led a methodical drive down the field, mixing short passes with runs from Thomas and Garrison. The drive culminated in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Staubach to Lance Alworth, extending the Cowboys' lead to 10 to 0. The Dolphins, feeling the pressure, tried to respond quickly. Greasy attempted to go deep to Warfield, but Cowboys cornerback Herb Adderley made a spectacular leaping interception, giving Dallas the ball back in good field position. The Cowboys capitalized on this turnover with another Mike Clark field goal, pushing their lead to 13 to 0. As halftime approached, the Dolphins managed to get on the scoreboard with a 31-yard field goal from Yepremian, making the score 13 to 3 at the break. While the Dolphins had shown flashes of competitiveness, the Cowboys' experience and execution were proving to be the difference. The third quarter saw the Cowboys continue to control the game. Staubach led another impressive drive, showcasing his accuracy and decision-making. The drive was capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run from Duane Thomas, extending Dallas's lead to 20-3. The Dolphins, desperate to get back into the game, began to take more risks on offense. This aggressive approach backfired when Greasy ‘s pass was intercepted by linebacker Chuck Howley, who returned it to the Miami 9-yard line. On the next play, Staubach found Mike Ditka for a touchdown, making the score 24 to 3 and effectively putting the game out of reach. Despite the large deficit, the Dolphins continued to fight. They managed to put together a drive that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Jim Kiick early in the fourth quarter. However, any hope of a miraculous comeback was quickly extinguished when the Cowboys responded with another touchdown, this time a 7-yard run by Thomas. The final score was Dallas Cowboys 24, Miami Dolphins 3. The Cowboys had successfully exorcised the demons of their Super Bowl 5 loss and claimed their first NFL championship. Roger Staubach was named the game's Most Valuable Player. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. His calm leadership and precise passing had been crucial to the Cowboys' success. The statistics from the game tell the story of Dallas's dominance. The Cowboys outgained the Dolphins 352 yards to 185, including a 252-80 advantage in rushing yards. Duane Thomas led all rushers with 95 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, while Walt Garrison added 74 yards on 14 attempts. For the Dolphins, it was a disappointing end to what had been a breakthrough season. Bob Greasy completed just 12 of 23 passes for 134 yards and was intercepted once. The vaunted Miami running game was completely shut down, with Zonka and Kiick mana
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl six, a game
that marked a significant moment in NFL history and solidified
the Dallas Cowboys place as one of the league's premier franchises.
This matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins
took place on January sixteenth, nineteen seventy two, at two
Lane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. As we delve into
(00:20):
the details of this historic game, we'll explore the lead up,
the key players, the dramatic moments, and the lasting impact
of what would become known as the Cowboys Redemption. The
nineteen seventy one NFL season was a year of redemption
for the Dallas Cowboys. After losing Super Bowl five to
the Baltimore Colts in a game marred by errors and
(00:41):
missed opportunities, the Cowboys were determined to prove themselves on
the biggest stage. Led by innovative head coach Tom Landry,
the Cowboys had shed their next year's champions label and
were ready to claim their first Super Bowl title. The
Cowboys journey to Super Bowl six was impressive. Their offense
was a well oil machine, featuring a balanced attack that
(01:02):
could beat opponents through the air or on the ground.
At quarterback, the Cowboys had Roger Staubach, who had taken
over the starting role from Craig Morton during the season. Staubach,
a future Hall of Famer, brought mobility and playmaking ability
to the position that perfectly complimented Landry's offensive system. His
favorite targets included wide receivers Bob Hayes and Lance Alworth,
(01:24):
both of whom would later be enshrined in Canton. The
Cowboys running game was equally formidable. Dwayne Thomas, despite having
a contentious relationship with the media and even his own team,
was a dynamic runner who had amassed over eight hundred
yards during the regular season. He was complimented by the
versatile Walt Garrison, who was equally adept at running and
(01:45):
receiving out of the backfield. On defense, the Cowboys boasted
their famous Doomsday defense, led by defensive tackle Bob Lilly.
The unit also featured future Hall of Famers in cornerback
Herbattery and safety mel Renfro. Linebacker Chuck Howley, the previous
year's Super Bowl MVP, despite being on the losing team,
(02:06):
was still a force to be reckoned with the Miami Dolphins,
representing the AFC, were a team on the rise. Under
head coach Don Shula, who had joined the team in
nineteen seventy, the Dolphins had quickly become contenders. They finished
the regular season with a ten to three to one
record and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore
Colts in the playoffs to earn their first Super Bowl berth.
(02:30):
The Dolphins offense was led by quarterback Bob Greasy, a
precise passer who excelled in Shula's ball control offense. Greasey
had a talented receiving corps headlined by Paul Warfield, a
future Hall of Famer known for his speed and root
running ability. Miami's ground game was their true strength, featuring
the bruising Larry Zanka and the versatile Jim Kayak. This duo,
(02:53):
along with Mercury Morris, formed what would become known as
the perfect backfield in the following season. On defense, the
Dolphins were anchored by linebacker Nick Buenocanti and safety Dick Anderson.
While not as celebrate as Dallas's unit, the Miami defense
had proven itself capable throughout the season and playoffs. As
game day approached. The Cowboys were favored, but many expected
(03:15):
a close, competitive game. The Dolphins were seen as a young,
hungry team on the rise, while the Cowboys were looking
to shake off the disappointment of the previous year and
claim their place atop the NFL. The game began with
both teams feeling each other out. The Cowboys received the
opening kickoff, but were forced to punt after a quick
(03:36):
three and out. The Dolphins' first possession showed promise, with
Greasy completing a couple of passes to move the chains. However,
the drive stalled and Miami was forced to punt as well.
The first score of the game came midway through the
first quarter, when Cowboys kicker Mike Clark connected on a
nine yard field goal, giving Dallas a three zero lead.
This score was set up by a forty one yard
(03:56):
pass from Staubach to Hayesse, ing the quick strike ability
of the Dallas offense. The Dolphins responded with a drive
of their own, moving into Cowboys territory. However, the Dallas
defense stiffened as the second quarter began, the Cowboys started
to assert their dominance. Staubach led a methodical drive down
the field, mixing short passes with runs from Thomas and Garrison.
(04:21):
The drive culminated in a seven yard touchdown pass from
Staubach to Lance Alworth, extending the Cowboys lead to ten
to zero. The Dolphins, feeling the pressure, tried to respond quickly.
Greasy attempted to go deep to Warfield, but Cowboys cornerback
Herbatterly made a spectacular leaping interception, giving Dallas the ball
back in good field position. The Cowboys capitalized on this
(04:44):
turnover with another Mike Clark field goal, pushing their lead
to thirteen to zero. As halftime approached, the Dolphins managed
to get on the scoreboard with a thirty one yard
field goal, making the score thirteen to three at the break.
While the Dolphins had shown flashes of competitiveness, the Cowboys
experience and execution were proving to be the difference. The
(05:04):
third quarter saw the Cowboys continue to control the game.
Staubach led another impressive drive, showcasing his accuracy and decision making.
The drive was capped off by a three yard touchdown
run from Dwayne Thomas, extending Dallas's lead to twenty three.
The Dolphins, desperate to get back into the game, began
to take more Risks on offense. This aggressive approach backfired
(05:27):
when Greasey's pass was intercepted by linebacker Chuck Howley, who
returned it to the Miami nine yard line. On the
next play, Staubach found Mike Ditka for a touchdown, making
the score twenty four to three and effectively putting the
game out of reach. Despite the large deficit, the Dolphins
continued to fight. They managed to put together a drive
(05:48):
that resulted in a one yard touchdown plunge by Jim
Keek early in the fourth quarter. However, any hope of
a miraculous comeback was quickly extinguished when the Cowboys responded
with another touchdown, this time a seven yard run by Thomas.
The final score was Dallas Cowboys twenty four, Miami Dolphins three.
The Cowboys had successfully exercised the demons of their Super
(06:08):
Bowl five loss and claimed their first NFL championship. Roger
Staubach was named the game's most valuable player. He completed
twelve to nineteen passes and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
His calm leadership and precise passing had been crucial to
the Cowboys' success. The statistics from the game tell the
story of Dallas's dominance. The Cowboys outgained the Dolphins three
(06:32):
hundred and fifty two yards to one hundred and eighty five,
including a two hundred and fifty two to eighty advantage
in rushing yards. Dwayne Thomas led all rushers with ninety
five yards and a touchdown on nineteen carries, while Walt
Garrison added seventy four yards on fourteen attempts for the Dolphins.
It was a disappointing end to what had been a
(06:53):
breakthrough season. Bob Greasy completed just twelve of twenty three
passes for one hundred and thirty four yards and was
intercepted once. The vaunted Miami running game was completely shut down,
with Zonka and Keith managing just forty yards each. The
game was notable for several reasons beyond the final score.
It marked the Cowboys' first Super Bowl victory, validating the
(07:16):
innovative coaching of Tom Landry and the talent he'd assembled
for players like Bob Lilly, who had been with the
team since its inception in nineteen sixty. It was the
culmination of years of hard work and near misses for
the Dolphins. While the loss was disappointing, It served as
motivation for what would become a historic nineteen seventy two season.
(07:37):
The following year, Miami would complete the only perfect season
in NFL history, going seventeen to z and winning Super
Bowl seven. Super Bowl six also showcased the importance of
a balanced offense and a strong defense in championship football.
The Cowboys' ability to control the game on the ground
while also making big plays through the air proved to
(07:58):
be a winning formula. Their defense, meanwhile, completely shut down
a potent Miami offense, demonstrating the old adage that defense
wins championships. The game had a lasting impact on both franchises.
For the Cowboys, it was the beginning of a dynasty
that would see them become known as America's team. They
would return to the Super Bowl several more times in
(08:20):
the nineteen seventies, winning again in nineteen seventy seven. For
the Dolphins, the loss was a stepping stone to greatness.
Don Shula used the defeat as motivation, and the team
responded with two consecutive Super Bowl victories in the following seasons.
As we look back on Super Bowl Six from our
vantage point today, it's clear that this game represented a
(08:43):
changing of the guard in the NFL. The Cowboys, with
their innovative coaching and talented roster, had established themselves as
the team to beat. Their victory over a rising Dolphins
team signaled the beginning of a new era in professional football.
The game also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable
(09:04):
nature of sports. Despite all the analysis and predictions, once
the players take the field, anything can happen. The cowboys
dominant performance after their heartbreaking loss the previous year demonstrates
the resilience and determination required to succeed at the highest
level of professional sports. In conclusion, Super Bowl six stands
(09:25):
as a pivotal moment in NFL history. It was a
game that showcase the talents of future Hall of famers
like Roger Staubach, Bob Lilly, and Paul Warfield. It demonstrated
the importance of coaching, with Tom Landry's innovative strategies proving
superior on the day. And it's at the stage for
two of the most successful franchises of the nineteen seventies,
(09:46):
with the Cowboys claiming their first title and the Dolphins
using the loss as motivation for future greatness. From Stubboch's
precise passing to the dominance of the Doomsday defense. From
Dwayne Thomas's powerful running to Bob Lilly's disruptive presence on
the line, super Bowl six provided moments that would be
remembered and discussed for decades to come. As we continue
(10:06):
to watch and enjoy Super Bowls today, with their high
powered offenses and astronomical television ratings, it's worth remembering games
like Super Bowl six. They remind us of the NFL's evolution,
of the grit and determination that have always been at
the heart of the sport, and of the eternal truth
that in football, as in life, perseverance and teamwork can
(10:28):
overcome past disappointments and lead to ultimate triumph. Thank you
for joining us on this journey back to Super Bowl six,
a game that proved that sometimes redemption is just a
season away, and that with the right combination of talent, coaching,
and determination, even the most painful losses can be transformed
into the sweetest victories.
Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl six, a game
that marked a significant moment in NFL history and solidified
the Dallas Cowboys place as one of the league's premier franchises.
This matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins
took place on January sixteenth, nineteen seventy two, at two
Lane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. As we delve into
(00:20):
the details of this historic game, we'll explore the lead up,
the key players, the dramatic moments, and the lasting impact
of what would become known as the Cowboys Redemption. The
nineteen seventy one NFL season was a year of redemption
for the Dallas Cowboys. After losing Super Bowl five to
the Baltimore Colts in a game marred by errors and
(00:41):
missed opportunities, the Cowboys were determined to prove themselves on
the biggest stage. Led by innovative head coach Tom Landry,
the Cowboys had shed their next year's champions label and
were ready to claim their first Super Bowl title. The
Cowboys journey to Super Bowl six was impressive. Their offense
was a well oil machine, featuring a balanced attack that
(01:02):
could beat opponents through the air or on the ground.
At quarterback, the Cowboys had Roger Staubach, who had taken
over the starting role from Craig Morton during the season. Staubach,
a future Hall of Famer, brought mobility and playmaking ability
to the position that perfectly complimented Landry's offensive system. His
favorite targets included wide receivers Bob Hayes and Lance Alworth,
(01:24):
both of whom would later be enshrined in Canton. The
Cowboys running game was equally formidable. Dwayne Thomas, despite having
a contentious relationship with the media and even his own team,
was a dynamic runner who had amassed over eight hundred
yards during the regular season. He was complimented by the
versatile Walt Garrison, who was equally adept at running and
(01:45):
receiving out of the backfield. On defense, the Cowboys boasted
their famous Doomsday defense, led by defensive tackle Bob Lilly.
The unit also featured future Hall of Famers in cornerback
Herbattery and safety mel Renfro. Linebacker Chuck Howley, the previous
year's Super Bowl MVP, despite being on the losing team,
(02:06):
was still a force to be reckoned with the Miami Dolphins,
representing the AFC, were a team on the rise. Under
head coach Don Shula, who had joined the team in
nineteen seventy, the Dolphins had quickly become contenders. They finished
the regular season with a ten to three to one
record and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore
Colts in the playoffs to earn their first Super Bowl berth.
(02:30):
The Dolphins offense was led by quarterback Bob Greasy, a
precise passer who excelled in Shula's ball control offense. Greasey
had a talented receiving corps headlined by Paul Warfield, a
future Hall of Famer known for his speed and root
running ability. Miami's ground game was their true strength, featuring
the bruising Larry Zanka and the versatile Jim Kayak. This duo,
(02:53):
along with Mercury Morris, formed what would become known as
the perfect backfield in the following season. On defense, the
Dolphins were anchored by linebacker Nick Buenocanti and safety Dick Anderson.
While not as celebrate as Dallas's unit, the Miami defense
had proven itself capable throughout the season and playoffs. As
game day approached. The Cowboys were favored, but many expected
(03:15):
a close, competitive game. The Dolphins were seen as a young,
hungry team on the rise, while the Cowboys were looking
to shake off the disappointment of the previous year and
claim their place atop the NFL. The game began with
both teams feeling each other out. The Cowboys received the
opening kickoff, but were forced to punt after a quick
(03:36):
three and out. The Dolphins' first possession showed promise, with
Greasy completing a couple of passes to move the chains. However,
the drive stalled and Miami was forced to punt as well.
The first score of the game came midway through the
first quarter, when Cowboys kicker Mike Clark connected on a
nine yard field goal, giving Dallas a three zero lead.
This score was set up by a forty one yard
(03:56):
pass from Staubach to Hayesse, ing the quick strike ability
of the Dallas offense. The Dolphins responded with a drive
of their own, moving into Cowboys territory. However, the Dallas
defense stiffened as the second quarter began, the Cowboys started
to assert their dominance. Staubach led a methodical drive down
the field, mixing short passes with runs from Thomas and Garrison.
(04:21):
The drive culminated in a seven yard touchdown pass from
Staubach to Lance Alworth, extending the Cowboys lead to ten
to zero. The Dolphins, feeling the pressure, tried to respond quickly.
Greasy attempted to go deep to Warfield, but Cowboys cornerback
Herbatterly made a spectacular leaping interception, giving Dallas the ball
back in good field position. The Cowboys capitalized on this
(04:44):
turnover with another Mike Clark field goal, pushing their lead
to thirteen to zero. As halftime approached, the Dolphins managed
to get on the scoreboard with a thirty one yard
field goal, making the score thirteen to three at the break.
While the Dolphins had shown flashes of competitiveness, the Cowboys
experience and execution were proving to be the difference. The
(05:04):
third quarter saw the Cowboys continue to control the game.
Staubach led another impressive drive, showcasing his accuracy and decision making.
The drive was capped off by a three yard touchdown
run from Dwayne Thomas, extending Dallas's lead to twenty three.
The Dolphins, desperate to get back into the game, began
to take more Risks on offense. This aggressive approach backfired
(05:27):
when Greasey's pass was intercepted by linebacker Chuck Howley, who
returned it to the Miami nine yard line. On the
next play, Staubach found Mike Ditka for a touchdown, making
the score twenty four to three and effectively putting the
game out of reach. Despite the large deficit, the Dolphins
continued to fight. They managed to put together a drive
(05:48):
that resulted in a one yard touchdown plunge by Jim
Keek early in the fourth quarter. However, any hope of
a miraculous comeback was quickly extinguished when the Cowboys responded
with another touchdown, this time a seven yard run by Thomas.
The final score was Dallas Cowboys twenty four, Miami Dolphins three.
The Cowboys had successfully exercised the demons of their Super
(06:08):
Bowl five loss and claimed their first NFL championship. Roger
Staubach was named the game's most valuable player. He completed
twelve to nineteen passes and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
His calm leadership and precise passing had been crucial to
the Cowboys' success. The statistics from the game tell the
story of Dallas's dominance. The Cowboys outgained the Dolphins three
(06:32):
hundred and fifty two yards to one hundred and eighty five,
including a two hundred and fifty two to eighty advantage
in rushing yards. Dwayne Thomas led all rushers with ninety
five yards and a touchdown on nineteen carries, while Walt
Garrison added seventy four yards on fourteen attempts for the Dolphins.
It was a disappointing end to what had been a
(06:53):
breakthrough season. Bob Greasy completed just twelve of twenty three
passes for one hundred and thirty four yards and was
intercepted once. The vaunted Miami running game was completely shut down,
with Zonka and Keith managing just forty yards each. The
game was notable for several reasons beyond the final score.
It marked the Cowboys' first Super Bowl victory, validating the
(07:16):
innovative coaching of Tom Landry and the talent he'd assembled
for players like Bob Lilly, who had been with the
team since its inception in nineteen sixty. It was the
culmination of years of hard work and near misses for
the Dolphins. While the loss was disappointing, It served as
motivation for what would become a historic nineteen seventy two season.
(07:37):
The following year, Miami would complete the only perfect season
in NFL history, going seventeen to z and winning Super
Bowl seven. Super Bowl six also showcased the importance of
a balanced offense and a strong defense in championship football.
The Cowboys' ability to control the game on the ground
while also making big plays through the air proved to
(07:58):
be a winning formula. Their defense, meanwhile, completely shut down
a potent Miami offense, demonstrating the old adage that defense
wins championships. The game had a lasting impact on both franchises.
For the Cowboys, it was the beginning of a dynasty
that would see them become known as America's team. They
would return to the Super Bowl several more times in
(08:20):
the nineteen seventies, winning again in nineteen seventy seven. For
the Dolphins, the loss was a stepping stone to greatness.
Don Shula used the defeat as motivation, and the team
responded with two consecutive Super Bowl victories in the following seasons.
As we look back on Super Bowl Six from our
vantage point today, it's clear that this game represented a
(08:43):
changing of the guard in the NFL. The Cowboys, with
their innovative coaching and talented roster, had established themselves as
the team to beat. Their victory over a rising Dolphins
team signaled the beginning of a new era in professional football.
The game also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable
(09:04):
nature of sports. Despite all the analysis and predictions, once
the players take the field, anything can happen. The cowboys
dominant performance after their heartbreaking loss the previous year demonstrates
the resilience and determination required to succeed at the highest
level of professional sports. In conclusion, Super Bowl six stands
(09:25):
as a pivotal moment in NFL history. It was a
game that showcase the talents of future Hall of famers
like Roger Staubach, Bob Lilly, and Paul Warfield. It demonstrated
the importance of coaching, with Tom Landry's innovative strategies proving
superior on the day. And it's at the stage for
two of the most successful franchises of the nineteen seventies,
(09:46):
with the Cowboys claiming their first title and the Dolphins
using the loss as motivation for future greatness. From Stubboch's
precise passing to the dominance of the Doomsday defense. From
Dwayne Thomas's powerful running to Bob Lilly's disruptive presence on
the line, super Bowl six provided moments that would be
remembered and discussed for decades to come. As we continue
(10:06):
to watch and enjoy Super Bowls today, with their high
powered offenses and astronomical television ratings, it's worth remembering games
like Super Bowl six. They remind us of the NFL's evolution,
of the grit and determination that have always been at
the heart of the sport, and of the eternal truth
that in football, as in life, perseverance and teamwork can
(10:28):
overcome past disappointments and lead to ultimate triumph. Thank you
for joining us on this journey back to Super Bowl six,
a game that proved that sometimes redemption is just a
season away, and that with the right combination of talent, coaching,
and determination, even the most painful losses can be transformed
into the sweetest victories.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.