That Amazing 1972 Dolphins Team Quiz

Hall of Fame quarterback Bob Griese was the operational leader of the Dolphins' offense, though his role in the 1972 season had a unique twist. After guiding Miami to a 5-0 start, he suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle in week 5 against the San Diego Chargers. Veteran backup Earl Morrall stepped in to hold down the fort for the rest of the regular season and early playoffs.

Griese returned in the AFC Championship Game against Pittsburgh to lead a key second-half comeback. Reinserted as the starting quarterback for Super Bowl VII on January 14, 1973, Griese executed Don Shula's run-heavy game plan, completing 8 of 11 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown to cap off the amazing perfect 17-0 season.

Hall of Fame right guard Larry Little was one of the anchors of the 1972 Miami Dolphins' offensive line, widely recognized as one of the most dominant pull-blocking guards in NFL history. A master at leading the way on the teams signature sweep plays, Little utilized his exceptional speed and power to bulldoze defenders out of the path of the offensive runners.

His actions helped Miami set a new record at the time with 2,960 rushing yards in a single season. Little himself earned First-Team All-Pro honors and was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year for 1972. His relentless blocking at the line of scrimmage provided the physical backbone that propelled the Dolphins to their perfect 17-0 record.

Larry Csonka, who was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1987, served as the punishing fullback of the 1972 Miami Dolphins' ground attack. Known for his bruising, battering-ram style that wore down opposing defenses, Csonka led the team that season with an astounding 1,117 rushing yards while averaging more than 5 yards per carry.

Alongside teammate Mercury Morris, he made history as part of the NFL's first backfield duo to each rush for over 1,000 yards in the same season. Csonka set the physical tone for Don Shula's ball-control offense all year long and sealed the undefeated campaign by rushing for 112 yards in Super Bowl VII.

Hall of Fame middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti was the fiery heart, field general, and tactician of Miami's famous "No-Name Defense" during the 1972 season. He was, at 5'11" tall and 220 pounds heavy (1.8m and 99 kg), considered undersized for his position. Nevertheless, he possessed an innate instinct and great speed.

Buoniconti spearheaded a unit that allowed the fewest points (171) and fewest total yards in the NFL that year. He performed many tackles and recorded two interceptions, constantly diagnosing opponent plays pre-snap and making crucial sideline-to-sideline stops to keep opposing offenses completely stymied throughout the 17-0 run in the perfect season.

Jake Scott was a hard-hitting safety and Super Bowl MVP, as well as a key player in the 1972 Dolphins' backfield and the crowning star of their championship finish. Operating with lethal instincts and exceptional range, Scott anchored a pass defense that surrendered the fewest points in the league, intercepting five passes during the regular season and adding two more during the postseason.

His defining performance came in Super Bowl VII, where he intercepted two passes, including a crucial end-zone pick. This went on to secure Miami's 14-7 victory over Washington and he was thus the first defensive back in NFL history to earn Super Bowl MVP honors.

All-Pro defensive end Bill Stanfill was the pass-rushing menace of Miami's front four during the 1972 season. Combining formidable size, speed, and brute strength, Stanfill dominated the edge to anchor the "No-Name Defense". He was unoffically credited with leading the team with sacks in double-digit numbers during the 1972 season.

His ability to collapse the pocket and shut down outside rushing plays forced opposing offenses into predictable situations, providing the primary pass-rush stop that drove Miami to its historic undefeated season.

Wide receiver Paul Warfield was the deep threat that kept defenses from stacking the line against Miami's dominant run game during the 1972 season. Though the Dolphins favored a running approach, Warfield made every single target count, catching 29 passes for 606 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging a fantastic 20.9 yards per reception.

His incredible speed and ability to stretch the field forced opposing secondary units to play deep, opening up the running lanes for others while delivering explosive, game-changing plays whenever called upon. He was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1983.

Defensive tackle Manny Fernandez was an unsung force at the center of Miami's interior defensive line who delivered one of the greatest defensive performances in NFL postseason history. Utilizing explosive quickness off the snap, Fernandez routinely shed double-teams to disrupt opposing run games and collapse pockets from the inside.

While he logged several sacks during the regular season, his crowning achievement came in Super Bowl VII, where Miami credits him with 17 tackles (11 solo), a sack, and constant backfield pressure. His anchoring of the front four helped force Washington into continuous predictable passing downs to secure the undefeated 17-0 record.

Jim Langer was the center for the 1972 Dolphins and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 in his first year of eligibility. Langer was the dependable pivot of the 1972 Miami Dolphins offensive line, snapping the ball and calling blocking assignments on every single offensive down of the perfect 17-0 season.

A flawless technician with both mobility and strength, Langer neutralized middle linebackers and nose tackles, executing interior blocks that enabled Miami's powerhouse backfield to rack up record-setting ground yardage. Earning First-Team All-Pro honors, his consistent excellence at the heart of the line proved vital in maintaining offensive stability.

Pro Bowl halfback Mercury Morris provided the home-run style speed that made the 1972 Miami Dolphins' backfield unstoppable. Forming a legendary "Lightning and Thunder" dynamic alongside Larry Csonka, Morris showcased incredible quickness and open-field vision, rushing for 1,000 yards and leading the entire NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns.

By cracking the 1000-yard mark in the regular season finale, he and Csonka became the first pair of teammates in NFL history to accomplish the feat in the same season, giving Miami the dynamic dual threat ground game needed to complete their perfect 17-0 run.