Former New England Patriots tight end Ben Watson goes ALL OUT in memorable chase-down play. The first chance for the game to be decided in overtime came when San Diego kicker Rolf Bernischke lined up for a 27-yard field goal. With less than a minute left in the third quarter, San Diego receiver Charlie Joiner slipped while running a deep post route, causing Fouts' pass to go right into the arms of Miami's Lyle Blackwood. Search through thousands of plays from pro football history using our Event Finder tool. After Miami took the lead in the fourth quarter at 38-31, Fouts marched the Chargers 82 yards on 10 plays, culminating with a nine-yard touchdown strike to James Brooks in the corner of the end zone with 58 seconds remaining. 1994 NFL Scores & Schedule; San Diego Chargers Schedule; Miami Dolphins Schedule; On this page: Scoring; Game Info; Expected Points Summary; Team Stats; Passing, Rushing, & Receiving; The Chargers then drove to the Bengals 20-yard line, but on third down, Fouts tripped over the foot of guard Doug Wilkerson and was downed for an 11-yard loss. Find out more. After a Chuck Muncie 1-yard plunge and an 8-yard toss from quarterback Dan Fouts to running back James Brooks, San Diego was out to a seemingly insurmountable edge. 25. Brooks returned the ensuing kickoff 35 yards to the 43-yard line. [1], Despite the Bengals dominating 4017 win over the Chargers during the season, their meeting in the championship was expected to be a thrilling, hard-fought game. On their next drive, Anderson's five completions moved the ball deep into Chargers territory, but defensive back Willie Buchanon put an end to it when he recovered a fumble from Ross that had been forced by Woodrow Lowe. Ekeler now has 375 receptions in his six-year career. After Miami's next drive resulted in an incompletion, two sacks, and a fumble (which Miami recovered), coach Don Shula replaced Woodley with Don Strock early in the second quarter to see whether he could spark the Dolphins offense, and that's precisely what he did, completing a 17-yard pass to Duriel Harris on his first play and leading them down the field to score their first points of the game on a 34-yard field goal by Uwe von Schamann. Includes all passing, rushing and receiving stats. The Chargers' offense featured three future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame: quarterback Dan Fouts, receiver Charlie Joiner and tight end Kellen Winslow. Then on the ensuing kickoff, the Chargers caught a break when the high, short kick surprisingly bounced back in their direction and was recovered by San Diego. The "NFL 100 Greatest" ranks the top 100 games in NFL history, and the San Diego Chargers vs. Miami Dolphins clash in the 1981 AFC Divisional Round lands at No. Said Chargers coach Don Coryell after the game: "I have coached for 31 or 32 years and this is tremendousThere has never been a game like this. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onAll NFL and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. 5. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. Do you have a sports website? Get box score updates on the Miami Dolphins vs. Los Angeles Chargers football game. "NFL 100 Greatest" ranks the top 100 teams in NFL history, and the 1958 Baltimore Colts -- who were led by head coach Weeb Ewbank, quarterback Johnny Unitas and fullback Alan Ameche and defeated the New York Giants in the "Greatest Game Ever Played" -- l, "NFL 100 Greatest" ranks the top 100 teams in NFL history, and the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs -- who defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV behind the play of Hall of Famers in quarterback Len Dawson, defensive tackle Buck Buchanan, defensive tackl. 11 spot. The Chargers defense quickly gave the offense another scoring opportunity, forcing a punt from Pat McInally that went just 32 yards to the Bengals 45. The Chargers recovered and furiously drove downfield, culminating in the absurd. After recovering a Chuck Muncie fumble, they moved into position for von Schamann to try a 34-yard field goal. The air temperature was 9F (23C), and wind chill was 59F (51C). 15. 90. On a 76-degree night in 80 percent humidity (real feel of 88 degrees), San Diego raced out to a 24-0 first-quarter lead, spurred on by a 58-yard Wes Chandler punt return for a score. "The great football games are like pieces of theater. We would have loved to have scored a touchdown there, but I really felt like we controlled the pace there," Staley said. It became legendary. After that, Nathan's 17-yard reception and Tommy Vigorito's 6-yard run moved the Dolphins to the Chargers 26-yard line where von Schamann attempted a 43-yard field goal, but at the last second, Winslow extended his 6'5" frame at the line just enough to deflect the kick with his fingers, causing it to fall short of the goal post and sending the game into overtime. Or write about sports? In short, the Chargers played at a temperature difference of 120 degrees in a week. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. It was the first time in NFL history that two quarterbacks passed for more than 400 yards in a game. San Diego jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the first quarter behind quarterback Dan Fouts. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Woodley had a rather mediocre year, throwing for only 2,470 yards (6.7 yards per throw) and 12 touchdowns, with 13 interceptions and a passer rating of only 69.8, but he was a good scrambler, gaining 272 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. But this time, they could not return the AFC Championship Game for the third straight year, as the Dolphins avenged their defeat 3413 in the AFC Second Round playoffs, also in Miami. Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE. "NFL 100 Greatest" ranks the top 100 teams in NFL history, and the 1999 St. Louis Rams, who defeated the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV and were dubbed "The Greatest Show on Turf," land at the No. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. San Diego started out the game by driving down the field, featuring a 47-yard completion from Dan Fouts to Wes Chandler on 3rd and 14, and scoring with kicker Rolf Benirschke's 32-yard field goal. We knew he loved to throw inside the hashes," Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill said. Brandon Staley knew it was going to take a complete game for his Los Angeles Chargers squad to have a chance at beating the Miami Dolphins. This happened to be Kellens week to shine, and he did shine, and I think were all grateful for the effort he put forth in that game.. As a sidenote, Cincinnati head coach Forrest Gregg had already participated in one of the coldest games in NFL history prior to this one. "I thought the defense played well enough for us to win. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Three plays later, Miami moved the ball to San Diego's 40-yard line with only six seconds left in the half and an attempt at one last play. Do you have a blog? 6-3, 3-2 home. All rights reserved. Another sidenote is that Brooks, whose fumble helped the Bengals win the game, would later go on to help the Bengals get to Super Bowl XXIII in the 1988 season, this time not as an opponent, but as a player for the team. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Tight end Dan Ross, running back Pete Johnson, and rookie receiver Cris Collinsworth were widely considered to be among the best players in the NFL at their positions. For the Chargers, The Epic in Miami is almost inarguably the greatest victory in franchise history. The Chargers' defense then forced Miami to punt on its ensuing possession, and Chandler returned the ball 56 yards for a touchdown, increasing his team's lead to 100. The Bengals completely took over the game from that point on. 4. There was a scramble for the loose ball until Hill picked it up, changed direction and quickly sprinted to his right and up the sideline. Copyright: ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. NFL 100 Greatest Games rated this game as the 4th greatest game. When he was a player for the Green Bay Packers in 1967, Gregg played in the famous NFL championship game against the Dallas Cowboys that became known as the Ice Bowl. "NFL 100 Greatest" ranks the top 100 teams in NFL history, and the 1991 Washington Redskins, who defeated the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI behind a Super Bowl MVP performance from quarterback Mark Rypien, land at No. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Its the closest theyd get. The AFC divisional playoff game between the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins on Jan. 2, 1982 at the Orange Bowl, played in the oven-like heat of the south Florida night, was a see-saw affair that lasted 13:52 into overtime. Pro Bowl defensive tackle Bob Baumhower anchored the line, while linebackers A. J. Duhe and Earnie Rhone excelled at blitzing and pass coverage,[citation needed] combining for four interceptions. I didn't buy it then, and I don't buy it today. Both teams were coming off extremely narrow wins in the divisional playoffs. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. View the Box Score for the NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 1982. Miami Dolphins. By the time the first quarter ended, San Diego had a commanding 240 lead. In 2011, Adam Hubbs' wish was granted when he met with Tim Tebow. Fouts finished the game completing 33 of 53 passing attempts for a franchise record 433 yards and three touchdowns. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Miami Dolphins lead series 19-17- LA Chargers vs Miami With the players of both teams exhausted and dehydrated, everyone was hoping for a quick end to overtime, but that would not be the case. His favorite targets were receivers Charlie Joiner (70 receptions, 1,188 yards, seven touchdowns) and Wes Chandler (52 receptions, 857 yards, five touchdowns in 12 games with San Diego, along with Pro Bowl tight end Kellen Winslow (88 receptions, 1,075 yards, 10 touchdowns). Join our linker program. Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Pro Football Reference Database. Miami went 11-4-1 in the regular season, while San Diego was the AFCs third seed at 10-6. Meanwhile, the Chargers narrowly defeated the Miami Dolphins in overtime 4138, in a game that set playoff records for most points scored in a playoff game with 79, the most total yards by both teams with 1,036, and most passing yards by both teams with 809. 100. How many represent the apex of an iconic team, while simultaneously representing the start of its end? "There was no way that Kellen Winslow was so winded that he had to be continually helped off the football field," said Dolphins wide receiver Jimmy Cefalo. How many were played in a historical venue and include a 24-0 lead, a late comeback by the team which blew said advantage, and goes almost a full five periods in sweltering heat? NFL Scores Dolphins vs. Chargers final score and immediate reactions The Miami Dolphins dropped their second straight game with a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night. "NFL 100 Greatest" ranks the top 100 teams in NFL history, and the 2004 New England Patriots, who defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX behind the play of quarterback Tom Brady, running back Corey Dillon, wide receivers Deoin Branch and Tr. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. [11]", "The locker-room celebration was more low key than other locker rooms I'd been in. Fouts moved the Chargers downfield, hitting Wes Chandler for 20 yards and Charlie Joiner for 29. Keenan Allen had three catches for 32 yards on the drive and finished with 12 receptions for 92 yards. The game, won by the Bengals, 277, was played in the coldest temperature in NFL history in terms of wind chill. Nevertheless, the Bengals stormed right back on a drive set up by David Versers 40-yard kickoff return to the 46-yard line. Miami took over on its own 40-yard line following Benirschke's squib kick, needing only a field goal to win. AFC Championship - San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals - January 10th, 1982 NFL Scores Playoffs San Diego Chargers 7 11-7 Prev Game Coach: Don Coryell Cincinnati Bengals 27 14-4 Prev Game Next Game Coach: Forrest Gregg Sunday Jan 10, 1982 Start Time: 1:00pm Stadium: Riverfront Stadium Logos via Sports Logos.net / About logos Team Stats For the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins, their 1981 AFC Divisional playoff was supposed to be a good game. In between his moments of greatness, Winslow was writhing in pain on the Orange Bowl sidelines, cramping up with exhaustion. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Miami's defense ranked fifth in the NFL in fewest points allowed (275). In 2010, Jailen Cooper's wish was granted when he got to practice with the Raiders and tackle Darren McFadden. [4] Defensive back Willie Buchanon led the team with five interceptions. I will always think of that game as the greatest game ever in the NFL. The second half was a see-saw affair which saw Miami take a late 38-31 lead. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Former Denver Broncos safety Steve Atwater shows size doesn't matter to the NFL. 6. Safety Eric Rowe had a hamstring injury in the third. Their offense was led by quarterbacks David Woodley and Don Strock. 29. Tyreek Hill scored two touchdowns for the Dolphins, one of them on an improbable recovery of Jeff Wilson Jr.'s fumble that Hill took 57 yards to the end zone. Air temperature was 9F (23C), but the wind chill, factoring in a sustained wind of 27 miles per hour (43km/h), was reported as 59F or 51C under the calculation method then in use. The Dolphins finished the 1981 regular season by winning the AFC East with an 1141 record. In addition to his blocked field goal, he recorded an NFL playoff record 13 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown, despite suffering numerous injuries. His attempts, completions, and passing yards were all NFL postseason records. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Hill became the only player in the Super Bowl era to score TDs via receiving, rushing, kick return, punt return and fumble return. The only significant contributors in the Epic in Miami who did go to a Super Bowl were Brooks, who made it to Super Bowl XXIII as a member of the Bengals, guard Ed White, who was a Minnesota Viking for four Super Bowls and Gary "Big Hands" Johnson, who joined former Chargers, and fellow "Bruise Brothers" Louie Kelcher and Fred Dean (who had been traded to eventual Super Bowl champion San Francisco after Week 5, also due to contract problems) winning Super Bowl XIX with the San Francisco 49ers. The Chargers held a 24-0 lead before Miami stormed back to send the game to OT, referred to as the "Epic in Miami" pic.twitter.com/pVhM1103AM Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 3, 2022 We present them here for purely educational purposes. 18. Strock was 29-of-43 for 403 yards and four scores. For Fouts, its a memory hell always cherish, telling the Chargers official website the following: Its designed to go to Kellen, which was a good idea. The playoffs had been a cruel mistress to San Diego, with head coach Don Coryells group knocked off as heavy favorite in the 1979 Divisionals by the Houston Oilers. The 1981 AFC Divisional Game between the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins is often referred to as the "Epic in Miami", or "The Kellen Winslow Game" unof. The "NFL 100 Greatest" ranks the top 100 games in NFL history, and the 1982 AFC Championship Game between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins lands at No. The Dolphins had 5 net yards and one first down on their first three possessions before finally getting on the scoreboard, thanks to Hill. In front of a prime-time audience, the Bolts responded with one of their best games of the season. Two drives later, Fouts led the Chargers 60 yards in six plays, scoring on a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kellen Winslow to regain the lead. 21. The New York Jets addressed their need at offensive tackle on Monday by agreeing to a one-year contract with veteran Billy Turner, who has experience playing for Nathaniel Hackett and Aaron Rodgers. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Justin Herbert threw for 367 yards and a touchdown and a short-handed defense got the best of the Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa as Los Angeles beat Miami 23-17 on Sunday night. Aided by an 18-yard completion from Anderson to tight end Dan Ross, Cincinnati scored first with a 31-yard field goal from kicker Jim Breech. Afterwards, San Diego didnt reach the postseason until a decade later before finally reaching Super Sunday in 1994, where it was thrashed by the San Francisco 49ers. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. For the Chargers, elation. Epic In Miami Chargers vs Dolphins 1981 Playoffs Highlights J Sullivan 119 subscribers Subscribe 440 Share 49K views 6 years ago Here is the classic highlight short of the classic game..