Bradley Ruzicka

Headline: New Green Bay Packers Head Coach Dan Devine tallies third losing season in four years and a last place finish in their division

Regular Season Record: 4 – 8 – 2 (Fourth Place NFC Central Division)

Offseason Highlights: “Because of a very disappointing season in 1970, and hoping that a change will improve the won-lost record of the Packers in 1971, I hereby tender my resignation effective on February 1, 1971.” On December 22, with those words, Phil Bengtson ended his 12-year career as a Green Bay Packer, nine as Vince Lombardi’s defensive coordinator and the last three as their head coach and general manager. The coach’s departure also ended one of, if not the most, successful era in Packers history. Now, the Executive Committee had to find a coach to guide the franchise into the next decade, ultimately hiring long-time collegiate head coach Dan Devine on January 15.

Devine served as head coach at Arizona State University from 1955 to 1957 and at the University of Missouri from 1958 to 1970, compiling an overall record of 120-40-8 (27-3-1, 93-37-7 respectively). Although Devine was a consistent winner in college, he had no NFL coaching experience and a losing record in his final season at Missouri. However, Stanton Greene in his book, The Green Bay Packers The Dan Devine Years 1971-74, felt the Executive Committee wanted to return flamboyance to the position, considering Devine to be a charismatic, intellectual coach in the Lombardi style. He also had more experience than his competition, including PSU’s Joe Paterno and ASU’s Frank Kush.

Green Bay’s first choice for the next Lombardi successor, former Los Angeles Rams’ Head Coach George Allen, declined the Packers offer in favor of a similar position with the Washington Redskins. He replaced interim Head Coach Bill Austin, who succeeded Lombardi after his death in September 1970. Allen had been fired by the Rams after a falling out with Owner Dan Reeves. This despite five winning seasons, the most wins by a coach in Rams history. Devine’s hiring continued a new trend in the NFL, bringing in successful college coaches with no professional experience including Tommy Prothro (Los Angeles), John Ralston (Denver Broncos), and Don Coryell (St. Louis Cardinals).

Devine realized early in his tenure that being both head coach and general manager was a significant burden. In his autobiography, Devine stated, “No matter how hard I worked … it became evident pretty quickly … that what I was doing was more than a one-person job. [Negotiating] contracts with the players, and then having to coach them … was difficult even under the best of circumstances. I’ve always felt a coach could perform better if he didn’t have to concern himself with salaries and bonuses. [His] job should strictly be directed … to [putting] the best players on the field.” The wisdom of having one man hold both positions would be a recurring theme for years to come.

Despite these concerns, Devine wasted little time exercising his authority as general manager, making four trades after only two weeks on the job. First to go was backup quarterback Don Horn. The former collegiate All-American was Green Bay’s first-round pick in 1967 and the man Lombardi projected as Bart Starr’s heir apparent. Horn and the Packers first-round selection (12th overall) were traded to Denver for second year defensive end Alden Roche and the Broncos’ first round pick (9th overall). Next, Devine traded running back and special teams phenomenon Travis Williams, along with their fourth-round pick, to the Rams for their second-round pick and a 1972 sixth round pick.

The new general manager then traded the rights to recently retired wide receiver Boyd Dowler to the Redskins in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Finally, Devine traded a 1972 third round selection to the Minnesota Vikings to reacquire the rights to former backup quarterback Zeke Bratkowski who, like Dowler, had retired in 1969. Horn ended his four seasons with Green Bay having completed 139 of 284 passes (48.9%) for 2,291 yards, 16 touchdowns, 22 interceptions, and a QB Rating of 63.0. He subsequently played two years for Denver and one each for the Cleveland Browns and the San Diego Chargers. Horn’s final season was in 1975 with the World Football League’s Portland Thunder.

Williams rushed for 1,063 yards on 271 carries (3.9 yards per attempt) while catching 49 passes for 530 yards (10.8 per reception), totaling 11 touchdowns during his four years with the Packers. However, his most significant contribution was in the areas of kickoff and punt returns, with 77 for 2,058 yards and 12 for 209 yards respectively, for a total of 6 returns for touchdowns. Williams five kickoff returns for touchdowns remains a team record and his 26.7 yards per return is second in Green Bay history only to Dave Hampton. “The Roadrunner” played a single season for the Rams, leading the league in yards per kickoff return (29.7), before a knee injury in 1972 cut short his NFL career.

Ultimately, all those trades translated into just two players of note on draft day, although several lesser-known players would provide much needed depth on a roster thinned by age and attrition. The most successful move had to be trading Don Horn. By the end of 1970, it was clear that the 25th overall selection was not going to be Green Bay’s next franchise quarterback. The fact Denver was willing to part with the ninth overall pick as well as a promising young defensive lineman was a coup for Devine. Roche, noted for his versatility, took over as the Packers starting defensive end in the tenth week and held on to that role for the next five years, playing in all but one game during that time.

Arguably, the most impactful draft choice of Devine’s tenure was Ohio State University Running Back John Brockington, selected with the pick acquired from the Broncos. In his six seasons with the Packers, Brockington rushed for 5,024 yards on 1,293 carries (3.9 yards per rush), caught 138 passes for 1,075 yards, and totaled 32 touchdowns. “Big John” set an NFL record with three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons in each of his first three years. However, his rushing totals declined over the next three seasons as injuries and personnel changes took their toll. In his seventh year, Brockington was released after one game, finishing with the Kansas City Chiefs before retiring in 1978.

Though he struggled during the latter half of his career, Brockington remains the third leading rusher in team history, behind only Ahman Green and Hall of Famer Jim Taylor. Green Bay also selected the man who would become their future starting quarterback, Alabama’s Scott Hunter, with the 140th overall pick. Although effective during his three years as a starter for the “Crimson Tide”, a separated shoulder in his final year caused his stock to drop in the 1971 draft. Hunter would later say the injury affected him well into his career. He played just three of his seven seasons with the Packers, completing 196 of 446 (43.9%) for 2,904 yards, 15 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, and a 49.0 QBR.

By 1971, it was clear that Starr was at the end of his career. Horn was now in Denver, leaving 39-year-old Zeke Bratkowski as the only other available quarterback. However, Devine waited until the sixth round to select a new signal caller. He bypassed names such as future Hall of Fame candidate Ken Anderson as well as Packers Hall of Famer Lynn Dickey. Both were available in the second round when Devine inexplicably chose a running back, Virgil Robinson, despite having already selected Brockington. This was the pick he had traded up to get from Los Angeles in exchange for Williams. Stranger still, Devine went on to waive Robinson before he played a down in the regular season.

But draft day was just the beginning of the new general manager’s efforts to remake the team. Prior to the start of the regular season, Devine made more than 20 added roster moves. Included was the trading of defensive tackle Kevin Hardy, acquired the previous season, to San Diego for their 1972 first round pick on June 24. Eight-year veteran and former All-Pro cornerback Bob Jeter was traded to the Chicago Bears in exchange for third year running back Ross Montgomery and their 1972 sixth round choice on July 22. Bengston’s 1969 top draft pick, defensive tackle Rich Moore, was sent to the Boston, now New England, Patriots for two-time Pro Bowl linebacker John Bramlett on July 31.

Jeter finished his Packers career with 23 interceptions for 333 yards and 2 touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler played three more years for Chicago, starting just two games, before retiring after the 1973 season. Moore would not play another down, finishing his two-year career with one fumble recovery and six sacks in 20 starts. Devine ultimately released both Montgomery and Bramlett prior to the start of the season. The Packers also reacquired linebacker Tommy Joe Crutcher and a 1973 fourth round pick from the Rams for a 1973 fourth round pick on August 24 as well as acquired fifth year safety Al Randolph from the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft pick on September 8.

Most notably, the last member of the 1966 offensive line, Lombardi’s last great Packers team, winner of the first Super Bowl, retired. Right tackle Forrest Gregg announced his retirement for a fourth time on Jan. 30 to take a job with a sporting goods firm in Dallas, Texas. He retired for the first time in 1964 as well as each of the prior two years but, in each case, returned for another year. This time, Devine waived the 14-year vet late in training camp and head coach Tom Landry invited him to join the Dallas Cowboys. The future Hall of Famer subsequently played in six games for Dallas, won his third Super Bowl and sixth league title, and finally retired for good to become an assistant coach.

All in all, Devine had a visible impact on the Packers organization in his first offseason as head coach and general manager. In addition to the roster moves, Devine retained two of Bengston’s top assistants, offensive and defensive coaches Bob Schnelker and Dave Hanner, while four others were replaced by Rollie Dotsch, Red Cochran, Burt Gustafson, and Don Doll. According to Stanton Greene, “All were top choices, and all went on to long careers in coaching.” Devine also elevated Pat Peppler to the position of assistant to the general manager while Bob Harlan was hired to run the front office. Harlan would serve as the franchise’s President and CEO for 19 years starting in 1989.

The 1971 draft yielded five future Hall of Famers, including the 6th overall pick, Kansas Running Back John Riggins (New York Jets), the 20th pick, Florida Defensive End Jack Youngblood (Los Angeles), the 34th pick, Penn State Linebacker Jack Ham (Pittsburgh Steelers), the 43rd selection, Michigan Guard Dan Dierdorf (St. Louis), and the 161st choice, Southern Wide Receiver Harold Carmichael (Philadelphia Eagles). Also, for the first time in league history, the top three selections were quarterbacks: Heisman Trophy winner Jim Plunkett out of Stanford University (Patriots), Mississippi’s Archie Manning (New Orleans Saints), and Santa Clara University’s Dan Pastorini (Houston Oilers).

Of note, beginning with the 1971 season, five teams would play their home games in a new stadium. The Patriots moved into Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, changing their name from Boston to New England shortly after the draft. The Bears moved into Soldier Field, the Dallas Cowboys moved into Texas Stadium, the Eagles moved into Veterans Stadium, and the 49ers moved into Candlestick Park. Now, almost half of all teams (11) would play their home games on artificial turf rather than grass, up from seven in 1970. Included were Chicago, Dallas, New England, Houston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Miami Dolphins.

Finally, Vincent Thomas Lombardi was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 1971. Lombardi coached in the NFL for a total of 15 years starting in 1954. Five were as the New York Giants Offensive Coordinator. Ten were as Head Coach and General Manager of the Green Bay Packers (9) and Washington Redskins (1). Lombardi revived the Packer franchise, leading them to five NFL Championships during the 1960s (1961-62, 1965-67). He’s considered one of the greatest coaches in league history as well as one of the greatest leaders in American sports. After he died of cancer in 1970, the NFL renamed the Super Bowl trophy the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Regular Season Highlights: The Green Bay Packers finished last in the NFC Central Division at 4-8-2, behind the 11-3 Minnesota Vikings, the 7-6-1 Detroit Lions, and the 6-8 Chicago Bears. It was their second consecutive losing season and their worst record in 13 years. Meanwhile, Minnesota won their fourth division title in a row, holding on to first place for the last ten weeks of the season. However, as late as the ninth week, the Bears were just a game back of the Vikings with a 6-3 record. But five straight losses to finish the season ended any chance of a playoff spot as well as ended Head Coach Jim Dooley’s tenure with a 20-36 record, four years after replacing the great George Halas.

Unlike the Phil Bengston era, Dan Devine’s first season was truly a transitional time for the Packers. At the start of the season, the roster consisted of seven players with 10 or more years of experience but also 11 rookies, contributing to an absence of cohesion and uneven play throughout the year. A handful of Vince Lombardi’s veterans were still key starters but in a steep decline, while many of the younger players had not yet come of age. Green Bay was competitive within the division, going 2-3-1, playing Minnesota and Detroit close while twice beating Chicago. Although some old-timers were wary of the new coach, some, like Lionel Aldridge, were positive, saying, “I’m sold on the man”.

Unfortunately for Devine, his professional coaching career got off to a painful start. A sideline collision between Devine, the New York Giants center Bob Hyland, and safety Doug Hart after his interception resulted in the new head man suffering a broken leg. The Packers went on to lose their season opener, 42-40, at Lambeau Field. The play happened in the fourth quarter and Devine was rushed to the hospital before the final gun. He was forced to listen to the end of the game on the radio. As Devine lay in his hospital bed after undergoing surgery, with two bones in his lower leg shattered in five places, he couldn’t be blamed for wondering if this was a harbinger of things to come.

Prior to his injury, Devine pulled his starting quarterback, Zeke Bratkowski, in favor of rookie Scott Hunter after falling behind 35-17 in the third quarter. Hunter impressed in his debut, almost pulling out a victory, completing 9 of 16 for 158 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a QBR of 103.6. His performance earned him a starting role the next week against the Denver Broncos. Although Hunter played poorly, competing just 2 of 7 passes for 41 yards, the running game carried the day in a 34-13 victory. Rookie John Brockington, along with veteran Dave Hampton, combined for 171 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns while the defense picked off six of Don Horn’s passes, three by Ken Ellis.

Hunter’s poor play continued the next week in their victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-17, Green Bay’s second consecutive home win. The rookie completed only 4 of 12 for 75 yards and 2 interceptions. Fortunately, the ground game was once again up to the task, with Brockington logging his first 100-yard performance. This time, the trio of Brockington (120), Hampton (49), and Donny Anderson (71) combined for 240 rushing yards while the defense held Cincinnati to 178 total yards. At 2-1, the Packers looked like a division title contender despite the lack of a passing game. The basic elements of a Devine coached team, a tough running game and a strong defense, were on display.

However, Green Bay would not win again during October, going 0-3-1. The fourth week saw Bratkowski briefly return after Devine pulled Hunter, bringing the team back from a 24-7 halftime deficit but ultimately falling short, 31-28, at Detroit. Hunter returned as the starter the next week, but his three interceptions along with two Packer fumbles gave the Vikings a 24-13 victory at Lambeau. After being dominated by the Rams, 30-13, in Los Angeles, it took a blocked field goal to preserve a 14-14 tie against the Lions on a rainy Monday night in Milwaukee County Stadium. The only good news was a second 100-yard rushing game for Brockington as Hunter was held to zero net passing yards.

Brockington again displayed his dominance with 30 attempts for 142 yards, his second consecutive 100-yard performance, in a 17-14 road win over a surprisingly competitive Bears team. But it was Hampton’s 63-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter that set-up Lou Michaels 22-yard winning field goal after the Packers blew a 14-0 halftime lead. At 3-4-1, with a little more than half the season gone, Green Bay was barely hanging on in the race for a playoff berth, two and a half games behind Minnesota, two games behind Detroit, and one and a half games behind Chicago. Unfortunately, a repeat of their 0-3-1 performance over the next four games sealed the Packers fate for the 1971 season.

Included was a maddening ninth week road loss to the Vikings, “… the most frustrating game I’ve ever been involved with” Devine said the next day. Green Bay decisively out gained Minnesota, 301 to 108 yards. Brockington logged his third consecutive 100-yard rushing performance, his highest rushing total of the season (149), and his fourth 100-yard game of the year. Yet, it was not enough to overcome another poor performance by Hunter, who completed 5 of 8 for 62 yards and 2 more interceptions. The last came in the final period, with the Packers on the Viking 8-yard line. Charlie West returned the ball to midfield, leading to the only score of the game, a 25-yard Fred Cox field goal.

After a Monday night road loss to the Atlanta Falcons, 28-21, and with Green Bay out of the division race at 3-6-1, Devine turned to an ailing Bart Starr to start three of the last four games. Not surprisingly, the 16-year veteran struggled. He went 8 of 17 for 116 yards and an interception in a 29-21 loss to New Orleans. He next threw two picks in only five attempts against the St. Louis Cardinals before giving way to Hunter in a 16-16 tie. Starr threw just a single pass in a 31-10 rout of Chicago, the team’s lone win in the season’s final six games. In the finale, the future Hall of Famer went the distance, completing 13 of 26 for 126 yards, in a lackluster 27-6 road loss to the Miami Dolphins.

At the beginning of the year, Devine had targeted Starr to be his starting quarterback, despite his age and concerns about his health. But, early in training camp, he learned the 37-year-old required a bicep-tendon transplant on his throwing arm to treat, once and for all, the injuries that had impacted his play since 1967. It almost ended his life. The initial surgery was botched, nearly causing Starr to bleed to death. The end result of multiple surgeries was nerve damage in his right arm. Starr now struggled to even grip a football, forced to use a glove on his throwing hand. As a result, he completed only 24 of 45 (53.3%) for 286 yards, no touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and a 45.2 QBR.

At this point, it was clear Starr’s ability to throw the long ball was gone, and it was time to hang it up. Still, at season’s end, Starr was planning to come back for one more year in 1972. With the Packers long-time starter unavailable the majority of the year, Hunter was forced to take the majority of snaps, supported by Bratkowski. Each also had their share of struggles. Despite not having played a down in the two years since he retired, the 14-year veteran started the opener. It would be his last start of the season, although he relieved Hunter on multiple occasions. Overall, the man Lombardi acquired in 1963 was 19 of 37 (51.4%) for 298 yards, 4 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and an 80.7 QBR.

After just falling short against the Giants, Hunter started the next 10 games, going 4-5-1. He finished 75 of 163 (46.0%) for 1,210 yards, 7 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and a 46.1 QBR. The first-year quarterback topped 100 yards passing only five times, topped 200 yards just once, and had a QBR over 100 a single time in the season opening loss. Although he suffered by comparison to the top picks, Jim Plunkett and Archie Manning, the 140th player chosen had an average first year. Unsurprisingly for a rookie, Hunter’s biggest negative was interceptions, with one pick every nine attempts on average. On the plus side, when Hunter did finally connect, he averaged an impressive 16.1 yards.

Wideout Carroll Dale’s numbers suffered from the deficiencies in quarterback play, catching only 31 passes for 598 yards and 4 touchdowns, leading all Packer pass catchers. However, playing in his final season, the 12-year veteran’s 19.3 yards per catch was good for 8th overall. Second year tight end Rich McGeorge finished second on the team with 27 catches for 463 yards, 17.1 yards per reception, and 4 touchdowns. But the offense’s strength was its running game, starting with Brockington. The 9th overall pick had 216 rushes for 1,105 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and 5 total touchdowns, the first rookie to run for 1,000 yards in NFL history.

Brockington ranked second overall in rushing yards, yards per attempt, and yards per game while finishing fifth in rushing attempts. For his efforts, he was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson also had a good season. The former first rounder rushed for 757 yards on 186 attempts (4.1 yards per carry) while also catching 26 passes for 306 yards, scoring 6 total touchdowns. Hampton contributed 307 yards on only 67 carries (4.6 yards per rush), scoring 4 total touchdowns. Despite retirements and departures, the offensive line remained strong as the team amassed 2,229 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground.

Overall, the offense finished 4th in rushing and 14th in scoring with 274 points, 78 more than 1970. The passing game was their weakness, ranking 24th out of 26 teams with 1,685 yards. They were most effective in their first four games, scoring 120 points or 30 per game. That number fell dramatically over the last ten weeks, to 16.2 per game. Meanwhile, the defense saw some improvement, ranking 10th against the run (1,707), 17th against the pass (2,301), and 18th in scoring, allowing 298 points. On special teams, Hampton had another good year. He led the league in kickoff returns (46) and yards (1,314), finishing third in yards per return (28.6).

However, for the fourth straight season, the placekicking was a revolving door. Holdover Dale Livingston was released before the start of the season. Dave Conway, acquired off waivers on August 19, played in just the first game before he was released. Former Baltimore Colt Michaels, signed prior to Conway’s release, was the kicker for the next nine games. He then was replaced by Tim Webster, signed in late October, for the final four games. In total, Packer kickers converted just 14 of 26 field goals and 32 out of 33 extra points for 74 points. Anderson was the only constant in the kicking game, punting for a fifth consecutive season.

Minnesota and Dallas tied for the NFL’s best record at 11-3, wining the NFC Central and East Divisions. Miami and the Kansas City Chiefs tied for the second-best record at 10-3-1, winning the AFC East and the West Divisions. The San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns both finished with 9-5 records, winning the NFC West and AFC Central Divisions. Baltimore, last season’s Super Bowl Champions, were the AFC Wild Card entrant at 10-4. Lastly, for the first time in 26 years, the Washington Redskins and new Head Coach George Allen were in the playoffs as the NFC Wild Card entrant with a record of 9-4-1.

Washington was in first place after winning their first five games. However, a 4-4-1 finish allowed Dallas to edge out the Redskins for the title and a sixth straight postseason appearance. Baltimore was also on the verge of winning another title after beating Miami in the thirteenth week. But a Colt loss and a Dolphin win in the season finale gave Miami the division by the slimmest of margins. Similarly, San Francisco edged Los Angeles by the same margin after the 49ers won their final two contests while the Rams split theirs. The Oakland Raiders were in first place for 11 weeks but fell out of playoff contention after losing three of their last four.

Minnesota Defensive Tackle Alan Page won the Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year Awards, the first defensive player in league history to be named MVP. Brockington won Offensive Rookie of the Year while Los Angeles Linebacker Isiah Robertson won Defensive Rookie of the Year. Allen, the Redskins fourth head coach in as many years, won Coach of the Year.

Post Season Highlights: The NFC Divisional Playoffs featured the San Francisco 49ers, winners of the West, hosting the Washington Redskins in Candlestick Park. The Dallas Cowboys, winners of the East, traveled to Metropolitan Stadium to play the Central Champion Minnesota Vikings. The AFC featured the Cleveland Browns, Central winners, hosting last year’s Super Bowl champion, the Baltimore Colts, in Cleveland Stadium. The Miami Dolphins, East winners, traveled to Municipal Stadium to play the West Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Winners would advance to the Conference Championships.

On December 25, Dallas converted three turnovers into 13 points to beat Minnesota despite being outgained 311-183. It was the second straight year the Vikings had ended the regular season with the league’s best record only to be eliminated in the Divisional round. It was also the first time the NFL scheduled games on Christmas Day, a decision that drew considerable criticism.

The first time Minnesota had the football, seven-year running back Dave Osborn fumbled, giving Dallas an early scoring opportunity. However, on 3rd and 14, Roger Staubach’s scramble was stopped a yard short of the first down. Mike Clark then kicked a 26-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. The Cowboys next appeared to turn the ball over on a fumbled punt return deep in their own territory. But the officials ruled otherwise, and Dallas retained possession. Once again, their offense was shut down and the first quarter ended with a three-point Cowboy advantage. It was now the Vikings turn to test the Dallas “doomsday” defense.

First, Minnesota advanced deep into Cowboy territory but were forced to settle for Fred Cox’s 27-yard field goal when another disputed call ended the drive. Then, tied 3-3, the Vikings moved to the Dallas 29-yard line after a 49-yard pass from third year quarterback Bob Lee to wide receiver Bob Grim. But Chuck Howley’s interception and 26-yard return ended the threat. After a short drive, Clark kicked his second field goal, a 44 yarder, for a 6-3 Cowboy lead. A 61-yard return on the ensuing kickoff gave Minnesota one more chance to score seconds before the half, but Cox missed a 42-yard attempt. Dallas maintained a slim three-point margin.

The game’s turning point came on the second play of the third quarter when Cliff Harris returned a second Lee interception to the Viking 13-yard line. Duane Thomas ran for a touchdown on the next play, upping the Cowboy lead to 13-3. Another long return on the subsequent kickoff gave Minnesota good field position at the Dallas 49-yard line. But the offense stalled, and Cox missed his second field goal, this time from 46 yards out. Later, after a 52-yard drive, Staubach extended the lead to 20-3 with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Bob Hayes. It would be their last score of the game as the Vikings shut down the Cowboys in the fourth quarter.

Early in the final period, Alan Page sacked Staubach for a safety, cutting the Minnesota deficit to 15 points. The Vikings subsequently had three more chances to score. Their first drive ended when Gary Cuozzo, replacing the ineffective Lee, was intercepted by Lee Roy Jordan. The nine-year veteran then led his team to a touchdown, completing a 6-yard pass to tight end Stu Voit, narrowing the Dallas lead to 20-12. But, with just 2:08 remaining, the game was all but out of reach. The last drive ended when Cuozzo’s desperation heave was picked off with six seconds on the clock. The Cowboys moved on to their second straight NFC Championship.

Later in the day, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in double overtime. It was the longest NFL game to date, at 82 minutes and 40 seconds, and the last to be played at Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium. In a losing effort, the Chiefs Ed Podolak had the best day of his three-year career. Kansas City’s leading rusher during the season gained 85 yards on 17 carries, caught 8 passes for 110 yards, returned 3 kickoffs for 154 yards, and scored a total of 2 touchdowns.

The Chiefs opened the scoring with five-year veteran Jan Stenerud’s 24-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead. Kansas City linebacker Willie Lanier, also in his fifth season, then picked off a Bob Griese pass. His 17-yard return set up six-time Pro Bowler Len Dawson’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Podolak, increasing the Chief lead to 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. But Griese rallied Miami on their next drive. He completed a 23-yard pass to wide receiver Paul Warfield, in his second year with the Dolphins, and a 16 yarder to former Green Bay Packer tight end Marv Fleming. It all led to Larry Csonka’s 1 yard touchdown run, narrowing the deficit to 10-7.

On Kansas City’s next drive, Dawson’s deep pass was picked off by Curtis Johnson. But Miami was ultimately forced to punt. The Chiefs again drove into scoring range, but Stenerud missed a 29-yard field goal attempt. The Dolphins then forced a Podolak fumble deep in Kansas City territory with under two minutes left in the half, leading to Garo Yepremian’s 14-yard field goal and a 10-10 tie at the break. The Chiefs subsequently retook the lead on a 15 play, 75-yard drive, taking 10 minutes off the clock. Running back Jim Otis, in his first season with Kansas City, scored on a 1-yard touchdown run for a seven-point advantage.

Miami quickly tied the game at 17-17 on Jim Kiick’s 1 yard touchdown run late in the third period. A Chiefs fumble gave the Dolphins a chance to take the lead. But fifth year veteran Jim Lynch picked off a second Griese pass on Kansas City’s 9-yard line, leading to a 91-yard Chiefs touchdown drive. Dawson’s 63-yard completion to rookie wideout Elmo Wright put the ball on Miami’s 3-yard line. Podolak’s 3-yard touchdown run restored Kansas City’s lead, 24-17, with seven minutes remaining. Once more, the Dolphins rallied. Griese completed 17- and 26-yard passes to Warfield, finishing the 71-yard drive with a 5-yard Fleming scoring pass.

The game was again tied with just 1:25 left in the contest. But Kansas City wasn’t done. Podolak returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards to Miami’s 22-yard line, giving Stenerud a chance to pull out a victory in the final seconds of regulation. Incredibly, the four-time Pro Bowl kicker missed his second field goal, a 31-yard attempt, and the game went into overtime tied 24-24. On the opening kickoff of the first overtime period, Podolak again gave the Chiefs great field position, returning the ball to the Dolphin 46-yard line. Kansas City drove to the 35, but Stenerud missed a chance at redemption when his 42-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Miami now had the momentum. After trading possessions, their offense drove into scoring range. However, Yepremian missed a 52-yard field goal attempt. Dawson tried to rally the Chiefs one more time, but the 15-year veteran was picked off by safety Jake Scott as time expired. The second overtime period opened with Csonka advancing the ball into Kansas City territory on a 29-yard run. The Dolphins now had a second chance to put the game away. This time, the league’s leading scorer delivered, kicking the winning field goal from 37 yards out. After more than three hard fought hours, Miami had the first postseason victory in their history, 27-24.

On December 26, fullback Don Nottingham scored two touchdowns, leading the Baltimore Colts to victory over the Cleveland Browns. A rookie 17th round draft pick, Nottingham gained 92 yards on 23 carries. Cleveland had easily won their division, leading 12 out of 14 weeks, defeating Baltimore 14-13 in their second regular season game. However, on this day, the Colts limited the Browns to just 165 total yards, 11 first downs, and 3 points, putting a stop to their five-game season ending winning streak.

Cleveland had plenty of scoring chances early in the game. On their first series, 30-year-old Bill Nelsen completed a 39-yard pass to wideout Fair Hooker. But Baltimore safety Rex Kern forced and then recovered Hooker’s fumble on their own 12-yard line to end the drive. After going three and out, the Colts punted the ball to Leroy Kelly. His 48-yard return gave the Browns another chance from Baltimore’s 4-yard line. However, once again, the Colts shut down Cleveland. A 16-yard field goal attempt by Don Cockroft was blocked by Bubba Smith. Twice in the first period, the Browns were held scoreless inside Baltimore’s 15-yard line.

The Colts then drove 92 yards in 17 plays, scoring on Nottingham’s 1 yard touchdown run for a 7-0 second quarter lead. Baltimore’s other safety, Rick Volk, next intercepted a Nelson pass. He returned the ball 37 yards to Cleveland’s 15-yard line. Nottingham, filling in for the injured Norm Bulaich, subsequently scored a second touchdown on a 7-yard burst for a 14-0 halftime lead. In the third period, neither team could hang on to the ball, with three consecutive drives ending in turnovers. The last, a Johnny Unitas interception, led to the Browns finally getting on the board. Cockroft’s 14-yard field goal narrowed the Colts lead to 14-3.

However, Baltimore stormed right back with a 74-yard drive. Jim O’Brien’s 42-yard field goal increased their lead to 17-3 at the end of three quarters. In the final period, the Colts defense continued their dominance. Volk picked off a second Nelson pass, returning it to Cleveland’s 13-yard line. Baltimore failed to take advantage when the Browns recovered 11-year veteran Tom Matte’s fumble. But, just three plays later, Cleveland gave it right back on a third Nelson interception. The Colts then put the game away. O’Brien, last season’s Super Bowl hero, hit his second field goal from 14 yards out, giving Baltimore a convincing 20-3 victory.

Later that day, the San Francisco 49ers defense made several key plays, including forcing three turnovers, in their victory over the Washington Redskins. This despite Washington kick returner Speedy Duncan gaining 170 yards on 3 kickoff returns, setting a franchise record.

Washington scored first when a blocked punt gave them the football on San Francisco’s 28-yard line. After converting a fourth and inches inside the 10, Billy Kilmer threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jerry Smith for a 7-0 first quarter lead. It would be their only touchdown until late in the final period. But San Francisco also struggled in the first half, converting a single 23-yard Bruce Gossett field goal. A 37-yard return on the ensuing kickoff ultimately resulted in Curt Knight’s 40-yard field goal, reestablishing the Redskins seven-point lead. Then, with just seconds left, Washington returned a punt 47 yards to the 49ers 11-yard line.

However, Knight’s field goal attempt was blocked, and the score remained 10-3 at halftime. At the outset of the second half, the Redskins had another chance to take control of the game when they returned the opening kickoff 66 yards to San Francisco’s 34-yard line. But, after a short drive, the 49ers made a key defensive stand on a second fourth and inches attempt, forcing Washington to turn the ball over on downs at the 12-yard line. Three plays later, John Brodie threw a deep pass that went just over Pat Fischer into the arms of wide receiver Gene Washington for a 78-yard touchdown, tying the game at 10-10. San Francisco would not trail again.

On the next series, Roosevelt Taylor’s interception of a Kilmer pass set up tight end Bob Windsor’s 2-yard touchdown catch to give the 49ers a 17-10 lead. Once again, the Redskins fought back, returning the ensuing kickoff 67 yards. Knight’s 35-yard field goal cut the score to 17-13 at the end of three quarters. Finally, with 3:20 left, San Francisco put the game away when Bob Hoskins recovered a bad snap on a Washington punt in the end zone for a touchdown and a 24-13 lead. The Redskins managed a touchdown on Kilmer’s 16-yard pass to halfback Larry Brown in the game’s closing seconds. But it wasn’t enough to deny the 49ers their victory, 24-20.

On January 2, 1972, for the second straight year, the NFC Championship Game pitted San Francisco against Dallas. It would be the first game ever played in newly opened Texas Stadium. Meanwhile, the upstart Dolphins hosted the Colts in the Orange Bowl for the AFC Championship.

Unlike the 1970 NFC Championship Game, the Cowboys defense dominated the 49ers offense, allowing only 61 rushing yards and 9 first downs. They also forced three John Brodie interceptions, leading Dallas to their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance.

Early on, neither team generated much offense. The Cowboys first drive ended with a missed 48-yard field goal by Mike Clark, their only scoring opportunity in the first quarter. Meanwhile, the 49ers managed just one first down the entire half. It fell to Dallas’s defense to put the offense in scoring position. Brodie’s screen pass from his own 9-yard line was picked off by defensive end George Andrie, giving the Cowboys a first and goal at San Francisco’s 2-yard line. Calvin Hill scored the only points of the half on a 1-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead. Brodie finally got the offense moving in the second half with a 24-yard pass to tight end Ted Kwalick.

Bruce Gossett’s 28-yard field goal cut Dallas’s lead to 7-3 with 6:52 left in the third period, one of only two times the offense got inside the Cowboy 40-yard line. The second ended with Gossett missing a 48-yard field goal attempt. Late in the quarter, Roger Staubach completed a 17-yard pass to Dan Reeves. He then started the final period with a 23-yard pass to tight end Billy Truax. Duane Thomas eventually finished the 14 play, 80-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run for a 14-3 advantage. Dallas subsequently shutdown the 49ers for the rest of the game, forcing two more Brodie picks and a turnover on downs to win the NFC title.

Later that same day, Miami shut out Baltimore despite the Colts league leading defense giving up only four Bob Griese completions. However, two of those were to Paul Warfield for 125 yards. Meanwhile, the Dolphins intercepted Johnny Unitas three times, returning one for a touchdown. Baltimore played the game without their starting running backs, both of whom were injured. They were replaced by Don Nottingham and the Colts rookie first round draft pick, Don McCauley.

On Miami’s second drive of the game, Warfield’s 75-yard touchdown catch gave the Dolphins a 7-0 lead. Meanwhile, Baltimore managed to get close enough for two Jim O’Brien field goals, but he missed both attempts. In the second quarter, the Colts drove from their own 18-yard line to Miami’s 9-yard line. But Baltimore came up empty when Head Coach Don McCafferty decided to pass up an almost certain field goal and Nottingham was stopped inches short on fourth down. After a Dolphin punt, the Colts next moved to Miami’s 22-yard line. However, they once more failed to score when O’Brien’s third field goal attempt of the day was blocked.

The game’s turning point came in the third quarter. Unitas’s long pass was deflected by Curtis Johnson into the hands of Dick Anderson, who returned the ball 62 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead. On their next possession, another Unitas pass was picked off by Jake Scott to close out the period. Griese’s 50-yard pass to Warfield subsequently moved the ball to Baltimore’s 5-yard line. On the next play, Larry Csonka bulled in for Miami’s final score and a three-touchdown lead. The Colts last drive ended with a third Unitas interception deep in Dolphin territory. Miami advanced to their first Super Bowl with a decisive 21-0 victory.

One year after their loss to Baltimore in Super Bowl V, the Cowboys were again poised to win a championship. This time, they would take on the upstart Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. One more chance for Dallas and their longtime Head Coach Tom Landry to attain that elusive prize, an NFL title.

Super Bowl Highlights: On January 16, 1972, in New Orleans’ Tulane Stadium, the NFC Champion Dallas Cowboys played the AFC Champion Miami Dolphins, led by Head Coach Don Shula, in Super Bowl VI. Although this was Miami’s first time playing for the NFL Championship after only six years in the league, it was Shula’s second Super Bowl appearance. His first was as head coach of the Baltimore Colts in their embarrassing 16-7 loss to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III.

Dallas again had a quarterback controversy during 1971. Roger Staubach and Craig Morton alternated as the starter through the first seven games, resulting in a mediocre 4-3 record at the season’s midpoint. However, once Landry settled on the young Staubach, the Cowboys won their last nine games, including two playoff wins, to secure another chance at an NFL title. Staubach, in just his third year, finished with a 10-0 record. The first time Pro Bowler completed 126 of 211 passes for 1,882 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. His QBR of 104.8 led the league while his 59.7 completion percentage was third overall.

Morton, finishing his seventh season, completed 78 of 143 passes (54.5%) for 1,131 yards, 7 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and a QBR of 73.5. Wideout Bob Hayes, also in his seventh year, again led the Cowboys in receiving yards. The two time All-Pro finished with 840 yards on 35 receptions and a league leading 24.0 yards per catch, scoring 8 touchdowns. Hayes was followed closely by new Dallas wide receiver Lance Alworth, acquired from the San Diego Chargers, and longtime Chicago Bears tight end Mike Ditka with 34 and 30 receptions respectively. Fullback Walt Garrison led all Dallas receivers with 40 receptions for 396 yards and 1 touchdown.

The six-year veteran also rushed for 429 yards on 127 carries and another touchdown. Halfback Duane Thomas led the Cowboys with 793 yards on 175 attempts (4.5 yards per rush) and a league leading 11 touchdowns. However, Dallas had problems with their star running back. In only in his second year, Thomas was upset the Cowboys would not renegotiate his contract after an excellent rookie campaign. He’d stopped talking to the press, as well as almost everyone on the team, since the beginning of the season. Former All-Pro halfback Calvin Hill finished second in rushing with 468 yards on 109 carries (4.4 yard per rush).

Mike Clark led the team in scoring with 86 points, converting 52% of his field goals (13 of 25). Although Ike Thomas returned only seven kickoffs, he brought back two for touchdowns. Overall, Dallas finished first in scoring with 406 points, 2nd in passing yards (2,786), and 3rd in rushing yards (2,249). Meanwhile, the “Doomsday Defense” had given up only one touchdown in the last 14 quarters including two playoff wins. The line was again anchored by their tackles, seven-time All-Pro Bob Lilly and seven-year veteran Jethro Pugh. Pugh finished second in the league with 13.5 sacks. Five-time All-Pro Chuck Howley, in his 14th season, led the linebackers.

Eleven-year defensive back Herb Adderley, in his second year with the Cowboys, combined with eight-year cornerback Mel Renfro to lead the secondary. Adderley, a five-time All-Pro with the Green Bay Packers, led the team with six interceptions. Renfro meanwhile had been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his eight seasons. In total, the defense boasted four Pro Bowlers including Lilly, Howley, Renfro, and safety Cornell Green. Overall, they finished 2nd in rushing yards allowed (1,144) and 7th in scoring, giving up 222 points. But they surprisingly struggled against the pass, allowing 2,324 yards, finishing 19th overall.

The Dolphins were founded as an AFL expansion franchise by attorney-politician Joe Robbie and actor-comedian Danny Thomas in 1965, beginning play in 1966. Miami struggled to win during their first four seasons under Head Coach George Wilson, compiling a record of 15-39-2. When Shula was hired as head coach in 1970, the turnaround was dramatic. The Dolphins went from 3-10-1 in 1969 to 10-4 and making the playoffs as a wild card, losing to the Oakland Raiders in the Divisional Playoffs. In 1971, Miami improved to 10-3-1, recording eight consecutive wins after starting the season at 1-1-1, making it all the way to the Super Bowl.

The offense was based around the NFL’s top-rated running game (2,429 yards), led by fourth year running backs Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick. Csonka rushed for 1,051 yards on 195 attempts, a league leading 5.4 yards per carry, scoring 8 total touchdowns. The first time All-Pro finished third overall in rushing yards. The versatile Kiick, a two-time Pro Bowler, rushed for 738 yards on 162 carries (4.6 yards per attempt) and 3 touchdowns while also finishing second on the team in receptions with 40 for 338 yards. The duo fumbled only once during the entire season. Third year veteran Mercury Morris added 315 yards on just 57 carries.

The Dolphins’ passing game, while an essential compliment to their ground attack, finished only 19th out of 26 teams (1,983 yards). Fifth year quarterback Bob Griese completed 145 of 263 (55.1%) for 2,089 yards, 19 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, and a QBR of 90.9. The four-time Pro Bowler finished second in the league in both touchdown passes and QBR while finishing sixth overall in completion percentage. Griese’s major weapon was wide receiver Paul Warfield. The eight-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowler spent his first six seasons with the Cleveland Browns before being acquired by Miami for the third overall pick in the 1970 draft.

In 1971, Warfield caught a team leading 43 passes for 996 yards, had an amazing 23.2 yards per catch average, and a league leading 11 touchdowns. He also finished second overall in both receiving yards and yards per catch. Fellow wideout Howard Twilley, in his sixth season, added 23 receptions for 349 yards (15.2 yards per catch) and 4 touchdowns. Garo Yepremian converted 28 of 40 field goals (70.0%), finishing second overall in both field goals made and field goal percentage. The four-year veteran also converted 33 of 33 extra points for a league leading 117 total points. Overall, the Dolphins finished fourth in scoring with 315 points.

The defense was also a major contributor to Miami’s success, finishing 3rd in points allowed (174), 6th in passing yards allowed (2,000), and 8th in rushing yards allowed (1,661). The line was led by ends Bill Stanfill and Jim Riley as well as fourth year tackle Manny Fernandez. Stanfill, in his third season, was selected to his second Pro Bowl. Fernandez led the team with 8 sacks followed by Riley, in his final year, with 7.5. Five-time All-Pro Nick Buoniconti, in 10th season, led the linebacking corps. First time Pro Bowl safety Jake Scott led the Dolphins secondary with 7 picks. He was also the team’s punt returner, finishing first overall in return yards.

According to Staubach, Dallas’ game plan was to neutralize Miami’s key offensive and defensive players, Warfield and Buoniconti. Warfield was double teamed by Green and Renfro. Since the running game was the key to the Cowboys’ offense, they wanted to take the quick reacting Buoniconti out of each play. Two linemen, usually guard John Niland and center Dave Manders, were assigned to block Buoniconti. Combined with counterplays and the excellent cutback running of Thomas, this tactic ultimately proved very successful. According to Landry, Dallas was very confident about the outcome going into the game.

The temperature at kickoff was a windy 39 degrees, making this the coldest Super Bowl to date. Each team traded punts on their initial possessions. On the first play of Miami’s second possession, Csonka swept around right end for 12 yards, moving the ball for the first time into Cowboy territory. Little did the Dolphins know it would be the fullback’s longest gain of the day. On the next play, Csonka fumbled a handoff from Griese, his first of the season. The ball was recovered by Howley at the Cowboys 48-yard line. Dallas then drove to the Miami 2-yard line, but ultimately settled for Clark’s 9-yard field goal and a 3-0 first quarter lead.

On the third play of Miami’s next possession, from their own 38-yard line, Griese was sacked by Bob Lilly for a record 29-yard loss to end the period, creating one of the more enduring images in Super Bowl history. After a Cowboy punt, Miami drove to the Dallas 42-yard line. But the drive stalled and ended with no points after Yepremian missed a 49-yard field goal attempt. After again trading punts, the Cowboys drove 76 yards in 9 plays, culminating in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Staubach to Alworth to increase their lead to 10-0. The Dolphins started the ensuing drive with just 1:15 left in the half from their own 32-yard line.

Griese made the most of the opportunity, completing three consecutive passes for 44 total yards. The highlight was a 29-yard pass to Warfield to reach the Dallas 24-yard line. After an incompletion, Miami settled for Yepremian’s 31-yard field goal to cut their deficit to 10-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Cowboys took control. They opened with a 71 yard, 8 play drive, repeatedly running outside the Dolphin’s defense. Dallas scored on Thomas’ 3-yard sweep, extending their lead to 17-3. The Cowboy defense dominated Miami’s offense, preventing them from getting a first down and moving beyond their own 42-yard line the entire third period.

The Dolphin offense was, in Shula’s words, “destroyed.” They did manage to make it to midfield early in the final quarter, but Howley ended the drive by intercepting Griese’s pass and returning it 41 yards. Three plays later, Staubach threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Ditka, increasing Dallas’ lead to 24-3 with 12 minutes left in the game. Miami began their next possession at their own 23-yard line and mounted only their third sustained drive of the game, reaching the Cowboy 16-yard line in six plays. However, the Dolphins last gasp ended when Griese fumbled the snap and the ball was recovered by Dallas end Larry Cole at the 20-yard line.

The Cowboys then mounted an 11-play drive to the Miami 1 yard line. It featured just one pass, a 21-yard completion from Staubach to Ditka, and a fake field goal attempt on 4th and 1 at the Dolphin 20-yard line. However, on first and goal at the 1-yard line, Hill fumbled while attempting to dive across the goal line. The ball was recovered at the 4-yard line by Miami with just under two minutes remaining. Miami then ran four meaningless plays to end the game. At last, after six attempts in six seasons, Dallas had won their first NFL title, 24-3. They also became the first team to win the Super Bowl after losing it the previous year.

The Dolphins held the record for least number of points scored in a Super Bowl until the Los Angeles Rams did the same in 2019. Staubach was named MVP, completing 12 of 19 for 119 yards and 2 TDs. However, the Cowboys ran for a record 252 yards, including Thomas’ 95 yards on 19 attempts. Staubach surmises that Thomas would have been named MVP if he’d cooperated with the press prior to the game. In the postgame locker room, flustered CBS reporter Tom Brookshier asked Thomas a long-winded question, the gist of which was “You’re fast, aren’t you?” Thomas, who’d shunned the press all year, simply said “Evidently.”

Conclusion: Try, Try Again summaries the season for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. After years of futility, Dallas had finally won the big game. No longer would they be referred to as “next year’s champion”. Green Bay was starting over with a new coach and, for all intents and purposes, a new team. Many of the last remnants from the Packers’ glory years had retired, been released, or traded away. As the 1971 season ended, only the great Ray Nitschke remained from the 1961 NFL title team, Vince Lombardi’s first. Truth be told, the cupboard was mostly bare by the time Lombardi left Green Bay in 1969.

However, after his first season, the jury was out with regards to whether or not Head Coach Dan Devine was the right choice to lead the Packers back to the promised land. According to Stanton Greene, “Devine’s tendency to over talk everything had not endeared him to Packer fans, players, or the press, but, like Brockington and Hunter, he was a rookie and would be given the benefit of the rookie season.” Going into 1972, Devine had a strong running game, a weak passing game, and an average, but improving, defense. Coming off of consecutive losing seasons and with the team in transition, expectations were not high.

To end this post, I’ve attached the NFL Films Super Bowl VI Highlight video, narrated once again by the great John Facenda.

As always, your feedback is appreciated!