NFL Game of the Week

Pittsburgh, resplendent with rookie running back Franco Harris, opened their season September 17 with a new belief in winning. They opened up a big lead on Oakland, but nearly gave it away. Daryle Lamonica replaced the inexperienced Ken Stabler as Oakland QB and fired three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough.

Joe Namath and Johnny Unitas dueled really for the only time head-to-head September 24. And they had the same day in the sun, piling up passing yardage in a 44-34 Jets win.

The true test of the 1972 Miami Dolphins came with this Week 5 showdown. San Diego pressed Dolphin starter Bob Griese, injuring his right ankle. Now came the genius of Don Shula: backup QB Earl Morrall kept up Miami's caliber. The largest crowd in Dolphin history cheered the team to its fifth straight win. No one at that time knew just how long their success would endure.

The 9-0 Dolphins were quick to win the AFC East in this Week 10 showdown with the 7-2 Jets. Any hopes New York had of earning the AFC Wild Card began to sink in this contest.

The NFC Central Division was ready to change its guard in 1972. A renewed running game put Green Bay on the fast track, but they had yet to shake off the rival Vikings. On November 26, the race only got tighter, as the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers, each having their year of years, kept those from the Black and Blue Division at bay. Washington beat the Pack 21-16 and Pittsburgh denied Minnesota 23-10.

Green Bay ran away with the Central Division of the NFC. Their potent ground game showed its strength in Metropolitan Stadium against the previous NFC Central champs.

For the Steelers, who had never been in the playoffs before, this game of December 23 would be remembered forever. It's a holy day of obligation in Pittsburgh, with a surprise ending steeped in controversy. One cannot dispute, however, that The Immaculate Reception, the key to Pittsburgh's 13-7 win, was the spark that ignited the Steeler Dynasty.

THere was no home-field advantage rule in the NFL playoffs back on December 31, 1972, which was a sign of disrespect. Miami, winners of 15 straight, had something to prove against the Cinderella Steelers. Along the way, Don Shula put quarterback Bob Griese back in the huddle for the first time since he broke his ankle in Week 5. The result: every Dolphin stood up to the task and beat the Steelers 21-17.