Super Bowl VI

Background

The Cowboys entered the game still having the reputation of "not being able to win the big games". The Super Bowl V loss added more fuel to that widely held view. And like the previous season, Dallas had a quarterback controversy as Staubach and Craig Morton alternated as starting quarterback. But after head coach Tom Landry settled on Staubach, the Cowboys won their last 6 regular season games, and marched to the Super Bowl with playoff wins over the Minnesota Vikings, 20-12 in the NFC Divisional Playoffs, and the San Francisco 49ers, 14-3 in the NFC Championship Game, without giving up a single touchdown in either game.

Related Topics:
Super Bowl V - Craig Morton - Tom Landry - Minnesota Vikings - San Francisco 49ers

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Staubach finished the regular season as the NFL's top rated passer by throwing for 1,882 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. He was also a terrific rusher, gaining 343 yards and 2 touchdowns on 41 carries. Dallas also had an outstanding trio of running backs, Walt Garrison, Duane Thomas, and Calvin Hill, who rushed for a combined total of 1,690 yards and 14 touchdowns during the season. Wide Receivers Bob Hayes and Lance Alworth also provided a deep threat, catching a combined total of 69 passes for 1,327 yards and 10 touchdowns. And the Dallas defense (nicknamed the "Doomsday Defense") had not given up a touchdown in the last 25 quarters prior to the Super Bowl.

Related Topics:
Walt Garrison - Duane Thomas - Calvin Hill - Bob Hayes - Lance Alworth

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Meanwhile, the Dolphins were based primarily around the running attack, led by running backs Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick, who rushed for a combined total of 1,789 yards, 10 touchdowns, and lost just 1 fumble during the regular season. But Miami also had a threatening passing game. Quarterback Bob Griese put up an impressive performance during the season, completing 145 passes for 2,089 yards and 19 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions. Griese's major weapon was wide receiver Paul Warfield, who caught 43 passes for 996 yards (a 23.2 yards per catch average) and 11 touchdowns.

Related Topics:
Larry Csonka - Jim Kiick - Bob Griese - Paul Warfield

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When asked about the Dolphins' defensive team prior to Super Bowl VI, Landry said that he could not recall any of the players' names, but they were a big concern to him. This remark immediately led to the nickname "No-Name Defense". Nevertheless, Miami's defense was a major reason why the team built a 10-3-1 regular season record, including eight consecutive wins. The Dolphins then went on to win their first playoff game in team history, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs (winners of Super Bowl IV), 27-24, in the longest game in NFL history; kicker Garo Yepremian made the game winning field goal after 22 minutes and 40 seconds of overtime play. Later, Miami shutout the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Colts, 21-0, in the AFC Championship Game, aided by defensive back Dick Anderson who had 3 interceptions and returned one of them for a 62-yard touchdown.

Related Topics:
Kansas City Chiefs - Super Bowl IV - Garo Yepremian - Defending Super Bowl champion - Baltimore Colts - Dick Anderson

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