1982 Miami Dolphins season
OwnerJoe Robbie
Head coachDon Shula
Home fieldMiami Orange Bowl
Results
Record7–2
Division place2nd AFC
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Patriots) 28–13
Won Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Chargers) 34–13
Won AFC Championship
(vs. Jets) 14–0
Lost Super Bowl XVII
(vs. Redskins) 17–27
Pro Bowlers3
FB Andra Franklin
G Ed Newman
DT Bob Baumhower
The Dolphins playing against the Redskins in Super Bowl XVII.

The 1982 Miami Dolphins season was the team's seventeenth in the National Football League (NFL). The Dolphins were coming off an unexpected 11–4–1 1981 season and a devastating loss to the San Diego Chargers in the Divisional Round the previous season in a game dubbed the Epic in Miami. The team had clinched the 2 seed and were picked by many to reach the Super Bowl during the 1981 season. Because of the high number of picks to reach the Super Bowl the previous season, many more fans picked them to win it during the 1982 season. The Dolphins looked to improve on their 11–4–1 record from 1981. However, a players strike cancelled 7 of the team's 16 games. Because of this, the NFL schedule was shrunk to 9 games. The Dolphins started out fresh, winning their first 2 games prior to the strike. When season play resumed 2 months later, the Dolphins defeated the Buffalo Bills 9–7 in Buffalo to clinch a 3–0 start. After a loss to Tampa Bay, they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 22–14. The next week, they lost a brisk game against the Patriots 3–0 in a game called the Snowplow Game. The Dolphins would then win 3 straight games to end the season 7–2, tied for second in the AFC with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Dolphins won 2nd place over them by virtue of a series of tiebreakers. In the playoffs, they defeated the Patriots in a rematch by the score of 28–13. They then defeated the Chargers in a rematch of the 1981 Divisional Playoffs by a score of 34–13. In the AFC Championship game, they shutout the Jets, 14–0 to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since 1973. In Super Bowl XVII, they lost to the Redskins 27–17 in a rematch of Super Bowl VII which concluded Miami's perfect 1972 season.

Off-season

NFL draft

1982 Miami Dolphins draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 24 Roy Foster *  G USC
2 52 Mark Duper *  WR NW State
3 80 Paul Lankford  CB Penn State
4 108 Charles Bowser  LB Duke
5 120 Bob Nelson  NT Miami (FL)
5 136 Rich Diana  FB Yale
6 161 Tom Tutson  DB South Carolina St
6 164 Ron Hester  LB Florida St
7 170 Dan Johnson  TE Iowa St
7 192 Larry Cowan  RB Jackson St
8 220 Tate Randle  DB Texas Tech Played for Houston
9 239 Steve Clark  G Utah
9 248 Mack Boatner  RB SE Louisiana
10 271 Robin Fisher  LB Florida
10 276 Wayne Jones  G Utah
11 303 Gary Crum  OT Wyoming
12 331 Mike Rodrigue  WR Miami (FL)
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

1982 Miami Dolphins final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Rookies in italics

Regular season

The Dolphins' main strength was their defense, nicknamed the "Killer Bees" because 6 of their 11 starters had last names that began with the letter "B". The "Killer Bees", anchored by Pro Bowl defensive tackle Bob Baumhower, led the league in fewest total yards allowed (2,312) and fewest passing yards allowed (1,027). Linebacker A. J. Duhe was extremely effective at blitzing and in pass coverage. And the Dolphins secondary, consisting of defensive backs Don McNeal, Gerald Small and brothers Lyle and Glenn Blackwood, combined for 11 interceptions.

However, the Dolphins' passing attack, led by quarterback David Woodley, ranked last in the league with 1,401 total yards, 8 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. One of the few bright spots in the Dolphins passing attack was wide receiver Jimmy Cefalo, who gained 356 yards off just 17 receptions, an average of 20.9 yards per catch. Wide receiver Duriel Harris also provided a deep threat with 22 receptions for 331 yards.

But Miami's strength on offense was their running game, ranking 3rd in the league with 1,344 yards. Pro Bowl running back Andra Franklin was the team's top rusher with 701 yards and 7 touchdowns. Running back Tony Nathan rushed for 233 yards, and caught 16 passes for another 114 yards. Woodley himself also recorded 207 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. One reason for the Dolphins' rushing success was the blocking of their offensive line, led by future hall of fame center Dwight Stephenson, along with Pro Bowlers Bob Kuechenberg and Ed Newman.[1]

Snowplow Game

In National Football League lore, the Snowplow Game refers to a regular-season game played between the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots on December 12, 1982.

Playing in a heavy snowstorm at New England's Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the two teams remained scoreless late into the fourth quarter. With 4:45 left to go in the game and on-field conditions worsening, Patriots coach Ron Meyer summoned Mark Henderson, who was a convict on a work release program, and was the stadium's snowplow operator that afternoon – and in the face of furious protests from Miami coach Don Shula – was directed to veer off course and clear a spot on the field for placekicker John Smith, with Matt Cavanaugh putting down the hold. The kick was good and the Patriots took a 3–0 lead into the final minutes of the game.

The Rest of the Story What is often left untold is what happened after John Smith kicked the go-ahead field goal. Despite the snowy conditions, the Dolphins methodically marched down the field on the strength of their running backs Andra Franklin and Tony Nathan and Quarterback David Woodley. With about a minute left in the game, and well within field goal range, the Dolphins faced a 4th down. Mark Henderson had driven his John Deere tractor down to that side of the field and was ready at motion from the referee, to go out on the field and clear a path for Dolphins Kicker Uwe von Schamann. Shula decided to go for the first down instead of a tying field goal. The Patriots stopped the Dolphins and took over on downs.

Henderson was released from prison a few years after the game, and currently works in the construction business. Henderson's plow was actually a John Deere Model 314 tractor with a sweeper attached. When he was being interviewed by a TV reporter about the controversy, Henderson jokingly replied, "What are they gonna do, throw me in jail?" Smith's subsequent field goal gave the Patriots a 3–0 lead that held until the final gun. The game ball was awarded to all-pro linebacker Steve Nelson, who subsequently donated it to his alma mater, North Dakota State University. Henderson also received a game ball from a gracious Meyer after the game. The following year, the NFL banned the use of snowplows on the field during a game. The moment became an interactive feature of the new Hall at Patriot Place when it opened in 2008 next to Gillette Stadium.

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 12 at New York Jets W 45–28 1–0 Shea Stadium 53,360
2 September 19 Baltimore Colts W 24–20 2–0 Orange Bowl 51,999
Players' strike
3 November 21 at Buffalo Bills W 9–7 3–0 Rich Stadium 52,945
4 November 29 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–23 3–1 Tampa Stadium 65,854
5 December 5 Minnesota Vikings W 22–14 4–1 Orange Bowl 45,721
6 December 12 at New England Patriots L 0–3 4–2 Schaefer Stadium 25,716
7 December 18 New York Jets W 20–19 5–2 Orange Bowl 67,702
8 December 27 Buffalo Bills W 27–10 6–2 Orange Bowl 73,924
9 January 2, 1983 at Baltimore Colts W 34–7 7–2 Memorial Stadium 19,073

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Season summary

Week 1 at Jets

Week One: Miami Dolphins (0–0) at New York Jets (0–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 14 10 21045
Jets 7 7 01428

at Shea Stadium • Flushing, New York

  • Date: September 12
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn)
  • Game attendance: 53,360
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Len Dawson
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

Week 2

1 234Total
Colts 0 1703 20
• Dolphins 14 0100 24
Scoring summary
Q1MIAWoodley 1-yard run (von Schamann kick)MIA 7–0
Q1MIAHardy 4-yard pass from Woodley (von Schamann kick)MIA 14–0
Q2BALButler 53-yard pass from Pagel (Wood kick)MIA 14–7
Q2BALWood 51-yard field goalMIA 14–10
Q2BALKrauss 5-yard pass from Pagel (Wood kick)BAL 17–14
Q3MIAVigorito 33-yard run (von Schamann kick)MIA 21–17
Q3MIAvon Schamann 29-yard field goalMIA 24–17
Q4BALWood 48-yard field goalMIA 24–20

[2]

Week 15 vs Jets

Week Fifteen: New York Jets (5–1) at Miami Dolphins (4–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets 6 10 0319
Dolphins 10 7 0320

at Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

  • Date: December 18, 1982
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 56 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 67,702
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui, John Brodie, and Bob Griese
  • Box Score

The 1972 Miami Dolphins team was honored during the game.

TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Jets PassingRichard Todd16/29, 174 Yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
RushingFreeman McNeil21 Rush, 89 Yds
ReceivingWesley Walker7 Rec, 96 Yds, TD
Dolphins PassingDavid Woodley12/25, 148 Yds, TD, 2 INT
RushingAndra Franklin17 Rush, 75 Yds, TD
ReceivingDuriel Harris4 Rec, 74 Yds, TD

Playoffs

Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Attendance
First round January 8, 1983 New England Patriots (7) W 28–13 1–0 Orange Bowl 68,842
Divisional January 16, 1983 San Diego Chargers (5) W 34–13 2–0 Orange Bowl 71,383
AFC Championship January 23, 1983 New York Jets (6) W 14–0 3–0 Orange Bowl 67,396
Super Bowl XVII January 30, 1983 Washington Redskins (N1) L 17–27 3–1 Rose Bowl 103,667

Standings

AFC East
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Miami Dolphins(2) 7 2 0 .778 6–1 6–1 198 131 W3
New York Jets(6) 6 3 0 .667 2–2 2–3 245 166 L1
New England Patriots(7) 5 4 0 .556 3–1 5–3 143 157 W1
Buffalo Bills 4 5 0 .444 1–3 3–3 150 154 L3
Baltimore Colts 0 8 1 .056 0–5–0 0–7–0 113 236 L2
American Football Conference
W L T PCT PF PA STK
Los Angeles Raiders(1) 8 1 0 .889 260 200 W5
Miami Dolphins(2) 7 2 0 .778 198 131 W3
Cincinnati Bengals(3) 7 2 0 .778 232 177 W2
Pittsburgh Steelers(4) 6 3 0 .667 204 146 W2
San Diego Chargers(5) 6 3 0 .667 288 221 L1
New York Jets(6) 6 3 0 .667 245 166 L1
New England Patriots(7) 5 4 0 .556 143 157 W1
Cleveland Browns(8) 4 5 0 .444 140 182 L1
Buffalo Bills 4 5 0 .444 150 154 L3
Seattle Seahawks 4 5 0 .444 127 147 W1
Kansas City Chiefs 3 6 0 .333 176 184 W1
Denver Broncos 2 7 0 .222 148 226 L3
Houston Oilers 1 8 0 .111 136 245 L7
Baltimore Colts 0 8 1 .056 113 236 L2

Postseason

AFC first round

  • Miami Dolphins 28, New England Patriots 13

AFC Divisional Playoff

  • Miami Dolphins 34, San Diego Chargers 13
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 13 0013
Dolphins 7 20 0734

at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

AFC Championship Game

  • Miami Dolphins 14, New York Jets 0. The Jets were angered by the condition of the Orange Bowl's grass field, which had not been covered and was inundated with a huge amount of rainfall from a series of storms that swept through South Florida the week before the game (it was still overcast on the Sunday of the game but only had a minor drizzle). Don Shula responded by stating that he hadn't checked the weather reports because he was focused on getting the Dolphins ready for the game, and that both teams would face the same conditions in any case. AJ Duhe intercepted Richard Todd 3 times, returning the last pick for a game-clinching touchdown.

Super Bowl XVII

  • Miami Dolphins 17, Washington Redskins 27

at Rose Bowl (stadium), Pasadena, California

Scoring summary

  • MIA – TD: Jimmy Cefalo 76-yard pass from David Woodley (Uwe von Schamann kick) 7–0 MIA
  • WAS – FG: Mark Moseley 31 yards 7–3 MIA
  • MIA – FG: Uwe von Schamann 20 yards 10–3 MIA
  • WAS – TD: Alvin Garrett 4-yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick) 10–10 tie
  • MIA – TD: Fulton Walker 98-yard kickoff return (Uwe von Schamann kick) 17–10 MIA
  • WAS – FG: Mark Moseley 20 yards 17–13 MIA
  • WAS – TD: John Riggins 43-yard run (Mark Moseley kick) 20–17 WAS
  • WAS – TD: Charlie Brown 6-yard pass from Joe Theismann (Mark Moseley kick) 27–17 WAS

Awards and honors

Pro Bowl players FB Andra Franklin, NT Bob Baumhower

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "1982 Miami Dolphins". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  2. ↑ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
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