1982 Miami Dolphins season

Infobox NFL_season

team = Miami Dolphins
year = 1982
record = 7-2
division_place = 2nd AFC
coach = Don Shula
stadium = Orange Bowl
playoffs = Lost Super Bowl XVII

Offseason

NFL Draft

Regular Season

The Dolphins finished the strike-shortened regular season with a 7-2 record, ranking them second in the AFC.

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.

nowplow 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. 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 will be an interactive feature of the new Hall at Patriot Place when it opens in 2008 next to Gillette Stadium.

eason Schedule

* Week 1 Sep 12 W 45-28 at New York Jets
* Week 2 Sep 19 W 24-20 vs Baltimore Colts
* Week 10 Nov 21 W 9-7 at Buffalo Bills
* Week 11 Nov 29 L 23-17 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
* Week 12 Dec 5 W 22-14 vs Minnesota Vikings
* Week 13 Dec 12 L 3-0 at New England Patriots
* Week 14 Dec 18 W 20-19 vs New York Jets
* Week 15 Dec 27 W 27-10 vs Buffalo Bills
* Week 16 Jan 2 W 34-7 at Baltimore Colts

eason Standings

Postseason

AFC First Round

* Miami Dolphins 28, New England Patriots 13

AFC Divisional Playoff

* Miami Dolphins 34, San Diego Chargers 13Linescore Amfootball
Road=Chargers
R1=0
R2=13
R3=0
R4=0
RT=13
Home=Dolphins
H1=7
H2=20
H3=0
H4=7
HT=34

"at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida"
*Game time: 12:30 p.m. EST
*TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui, John Brodie, and Bob Griese
*Referee: Jerry Markbreit

AFC Championship Game

* Miami Dolphins 14, New York Jets 0

uper Bowl XVII

* Miami Dolphins 17, Washington Redskins 27

"at Rose Bowl (stadium), Pasadena, California"

coring 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 playersFB Andra Franklin, NT Bob Baumhower

Notes and references

* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1982.htm?redir Miami Dolphins on Pro Football Reference]
* [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1982-mia Miami Dolphins on jt-sw.com]