Since you would probably know ...What was the better game SB X or SB XIII?
I've also have heard the 73 Dolphins were actually a more impressive team than the 72 team despite not being undefeated. I've seen cases against the 72 team suggesting the only real teams they played were the Steelers and the Redskins the last two games of the season.
I did not see X at the time, either (we were living in England, I was not yet aware of football, and the Super Bowl back then was shown the NEXT Sunday).
However, I have an eclectic collection of games that I compiled on VHS back in the late 90s that I've converted to DVD. One of the first games I got was Super Bowl III, and I eventually got ALL of them.
X was far more exciting on 'later watch' than III. In fact, X along with the 1977 Alabama games against Nebraska and USC were games that I could get into even though I knew the outcome already. The first Super Bowl I saw live was XIII, so I'll give you an overview at the time:
XIII - this was a "big play" game, but I thought it lulled in the period of time when Pittsburgh got a huge lead following Jackie Smith's infamous fluff..
XIV - awesome game, don't let the final score fool anyone. The Rams were driving for the lead while trailing 24-19 with about five minutes left when Lambert intercepted Ferragamo. Bradshaw went for broke and broke caught it (Stallworth), but the game wasn't over until Franco scored.
XV - first half was okay, second half so so
XVI - final score is misleading as 49ers kept short shooting the end zone but built a 20-0 lead and held on. The goal line stand was the critical series.
XVII - incredible game and not over until the final two minutes.
XVIII - Marcus Allen's dash was the death blow, this game was massively hyped but save for the first drive of the second half the Skins were never in it.
XIX - over-hyped Marino.....and over by halftime. Yuge disappointment.
XX - awful. Bears were funny to watch but.....awful. (Most entertaining thing being the Duraliner commercial).
XXI - awesome first half, not so good second.
XXII - a truly awesome game until the Skins were suddenly up 35-10. Then it was awful.
XXIII - here's another entry for the 'overrated' list. Once again, the fourth quarter was really good but there were as many broken legs (Krumrie, Wallace) in the first half as scores.
XXIV - we knew this one was over the moment we knew the match-up.
XXV - possibly the greatest Super Bowl, particularly with the surrounding atmosphere.
XXVI - bore war, interesting second quarter was about all.
XXVII - I hate the Cowboys and they win in a rout so.....
XXVIII - entertaining right up until Dallas tied it
XXIX - deployed to Gitmo, didn't see it - saw it later and fell asleep.
XXX - hate both teams but a great game.
That's enough for now on those.
On the Dolphins....the 1972 Dolphins might be one of the most overrated teams of all-time. Of their 14 regular season games, TEN were against teams with records of 5-9 or worse. Their opponents had an overall record of 51-86-3 (overtime was not used in the regular season NFL until 1974). Home field advantage was NOT determined by record back then so the Dolphins actually played the AFC Championship on the road in Pittsburgh the week after the Immaculate Reception game. The Dolphins flipped the game while trailing Pittsburgh with a fake punt by Larry Seiple.
So unconvinced were people AT THE TIME of Miami's record that they were UNDERDOGS to the Washington Redskins in the Super Bowl (Shula's 0-2 SB record at the time didn't help). To be honest, they were somewhat similar to the 1980 Georgia team that won the national title against a horrific schedule (45-75-1) and getting so lucky against Notre Dame that you couldn't write a believable script about it (one of the Dawgs's two TDs came about because the kickoff team miscommunicated and Georgia got the ball at the one-yard line. It still took them two plays to fall three feet despite having Herschel Walker).
Even in Super Bowl VII, the Dolphins had Auburn-style luck. Back then the goal post was on the goal line (they moved it back the next year) and Billy Kilmer had a wide open Jerry Smith for a touchdown and the ball hit the goal post. On the next play, Jake Scott intercepted the pass and took it all the way back to the Redskins 48-yard line. That missed TD was the difference in the final score - although one could argue that perhaps Shula doesn't try the Yepremian field goal from 42 yards on fourth and four if he only leads by one score (he probably punts with his great defense).
I'm not trying to discredit what was a phenomenal accomplishment of which Miami should be proud - but let's not confuse "won every game" with "great team" or especially "greatest of all-time." Only four teams that won the SB since 1972 have faced EASIER schedules.
I'm not sure whether the 1973 Dolphins were better, but we could make some points in their favor:
1) they blew out a Minnesota team in the Super Bowl by 17 points
2) they blew out both opponents in the playoffs
3) during the regular season they faced two ten-win teams (Dallas, Pittsburgh,) and three nine-win teams (Oakland and Buffalo twice), which is five more than they faced in 1972
Oh and then remember this - the 1972 Dolphins played such a soft schedule that they won NINE of the 14 regular season games with a backup quarterback. I realize that Earl Morrall was a competent quarterback, but he wasn't exactly Steve Young taking over for Joe Montana. There's usually a reason that a backup is a backup.