11. 1975 MIAMI DOLPHINS at 6. 2015 ARIZONA CARDINALS
6. 2015 ARIZONA CARDINALS
Record: 13-3
Pythag: 12-4
Off: 2nd
Def: 7th
1st NFC West
d. Packers Div Rnd 26-20
Lost NFC Title Panthers 49-15
HC: Bruce Arians, OC: Harold Goodwin, DC: James Bettcher
University of Phoenix (roof closed)
Dave Pasch/Ron Wolfley
Offense
QB Carson Palmer (36 USC)
RB Chris Johnson (30 E Carolina)
WR John Brown (25 Pittsburg St)
WR Larry Fitzgerald (32 Pitt)
TE Darren Fells (29 UC Irvine)
TE Jermaine Gresham (27 Oklahoma)
LT Jared Veldheer (28 Hillsdale)
LG Mike Iupati (28 Idaho)
C Lyle Sendlein (31 Texas)
RG Jonathan Cooper (25 UNC)
RT Bobby Massie (26 Mississippi)
Defense
LDE Calais Campbell (29 Miami)
NT Rodney Gunter (23-R Delaware St)
RDE Frostee Rucker (32 USC)
LOLB LaMarr Woodley (31 Michigan)
LILB Kevin Minter (25 LSU)
RILB Deonte Bucannon (23 Wash St)
ROLB Alex Okafor (24 Texas)
LCB Patrick Peterson (25 LSU) All Pro
RCB Jerraud Powers (28 Auburn)
SS Rashad Johnson (29 Alabama)
FS Tyrann Mathieu (23 LSU) All Pro
K Chandler Catanzaro (24 Clemson)
P Drew Butler (26 Georgia)
KR David Johnson (24 N Iowa)
PR Patrick Peterson (25 LSU)
2015 is heavily represented in region 1 - the Chiefs have advanced to round 2, the Bengals/Patriots did not. Here's Arizona, the 2nd best offense, 7th best defense from 2015. Arizona throws the ball; Carson Palmer is 36, threw for 35 scores and 11 picks. Larry Fitzgerald is 32 and headed to the Hall of Fame, he caught 109 balls. The 2 Cardinal All Pros are both in the secondary - 25 year old Patrick Peterson, 23 year old Tyrann Mathieu.
11. 1975 MIAMI DOLPHINS
Record: 10-4
Pythag: 11-3
Off: 6th
Def: 4th
Did not make playoffs
HC: Don Shula, OC: Howard Schnellenberger
Offense:
QB Bob Griese (30 Purdue)
RB Mercury Morris (28)
FB Don Nottingham (26)
WR Nat Moore (24)
WR Howard Twilley (32)
TE Andre Tillman (23-R)
LT Wayne Moore (30)
LG Bob Kuechenberg (28)
C Jim Langer (27) All Pro
RG Larry Little (30) All Pro
RT Norm Evans (33)
Defense:
LDE Vern Den Herder (27)
LDT Randy Crowder (23)
RDT Don Reese (24)
RDE Bill Stanfill (28)
LLB Doug Swift (27)
MLB Mike Kolen (27)
RLB Bob Matheson (31)
LCB Tim Foley (27)
RCB Curtis Johnson (27)
SS Charlie Babb (25)
FS Jake Scott (30)
K Garo Yepremian (31)
P Larry Seiple (30)
KR/PR Freddie Solomon (22-R Tampa)
Miami's '72 and '73 teams are top seeds in other regions; a couple of years removed is this squad that missed the playoffs despite going 10-4 and being top 6 in offense and defense. The strength is in the middle of the OL, where 30 year old Jim Langer and 30 year old Larry Little are both All Pros. The trigger man is Bob Griese, now 30 years old, 14 scores and 13 picks. 26 year old Don Nottingham ran for double digit scores. 6 picks for Jake Scott on defense.
50 years separate these 2 squads - the winner will head to Oakland to play the '67 Raiders; let's head to Glendale.
First Quarter
Miami will open at the 29.
1/10- The first carry goes to Mercury Morris, he goes for 11.
1/10-Morris for 2
2/8-Norm Bulaich gets a carry. Loses 2.
3/10- Bob Griese finds the rookie Freddie Solomon for a 15 yard gain. Dolphins to the Cardinal 45.
1/10-Morris gets 3
2/7- Griese to Jim Mandich for 22 -- Dolphins now at the Cardinal 20.
1/10- 4 more for Morris
2/6 - Griese is looking for Nat Moore in the end zone...Picked Off by Patrick Peterson! Peterson runs it out to the Cardinal 12 -- Griese intercepted by Peterson!
9:59 left in the first as the Cards take possession.
3 and out.
After the punt, Miami starts in Cardinal territory, at the 40, 7:48 left.
1/10-Morris gets 1
2/9- Don Nottingham's first carry, he gets 15 to the Cardinal 24.
1/10-3 for Nottingham
1/10-3 for Nottingham
2/7-3 for Morris
3/4- Griese finds Howard Twilley for 15 - he's out of bounds at the 3 - first and goal for the Dolphins.
1/goal - Nottingham between Langer and Little on the right side -- and into the end zone TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - after the XP it is 7-0
7-0 Dolphins, 3:40 left. 1st Quarter. Cards start at their own 31.
1/10- Incomplete
2/9-Chris Johnson 1 yard run.
3/9- Carson Palmer 11 yards to Larry Fitzgerald.
1/10-Palmer to Fitzgerald again, 10 yards, they're into Miami territory at the 49. 2:10 left.
1/10-Chris Johnson loses 3.
2/13-Incomplete
3/13-Incomplete.
Dolphins will start at their own 16 with 33 seconds left -- and on the last play of the first quarter, Don Nottingham again follows Larry Little through the middle of the Cardinal line, breaks a couple of tackles and he is in the open field! Notttingham has daylight! Notthingham is caught from behind by Peterson all the way at the Cardinal 29 yard line - a 55 yard run by Nottingham as the qtr ends.
Second Quarter
Dolphins up 7-0 at the Cardinal 29, first down.
1/10-Griese to Nat Moore for 6.
2/4-Incomplete
3/4-Norm Bulaich gains 3. Now, here's a thing - 4th and a long 1 at the Cardinal 20, Shula's not coaching in 2022 or even 2015 - Shula's coaching in 1975 -- but he's going for it.
4/1-And it works - Mercury Morris busts one to the outside, turns on the jets - and Mercury Morris is in the endzone with a TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS Shula's guts pay off here - on a 4th down Miami passes up the FG - and Mercury Morris takes it to the house.
Dolphins 14-0. Arizona starts at their own 29. 13:15 left.
1/10-Incomplete
2/10-David Johnson on now for the Cards, he picks up 11.
1/10-David Johnson a yard.
2/9-David Johnson busts one - 42 yards takes it all the way to the Miami 17 yard line.
1/10-3 more for Johnson
2/7-Incomplete
3/7- Palmer finds Larry Fitzgerald on the sideline, he tiptoes to stay in bounds, sticks to ball over the goal line --- TOUCHDOWN CARDINALS two minutes after Miami went up two scores, Arizona cuts that to 14-6 when they miss the XP.
Miami starts at their 29, up 14-6, 10:05 left.
1/10-2 for Morris
2/8-Griese finds Nottingham on a screen, Nottingham picks up 19 and the first down.
1/10- Arizona has no answer for this Miami ground attack- the middle of the Miami line just controlling the LOS, 21 more for Nottingham, Miami at the Cardinal 29. 8:06 left.
1/10-1 for Morris
2/9- 1 for Nottingham
3/8 - Griese finds Nat Moore for 17 - that will give the Dolphins a first and goal at the 10.
1/goal - nothing for Morris
2/goal - 3 for Nottingham
3/goal - Calais Campbell breaks through, getting the sack on Griese - Garo Yepremian hits a 30 yd FG and it is 17-7 Dolphins
Arizona starts at the 31, 3:56 left. Down 10.
3 and out including a Vern Den Herder sack.
Miami takes over at their own 25, 1:51 left.
1/10-Griese to Mandich for 11.
1/10-Griese to Bulaich for 13 and a timeout - Miami near midfield.
1/10-Griese to Nat Moore for 24 - Miami just moving at will today agains the Cardinals.
1/10-Incomplete
2/10-Incomplete
3/10-Griese finds Howard Twilley for 13 - taking Miami all the way to the Arizona 14 yard line with 51 seconds left and a timeout.
1/10-incomplete
2/10- Griese finds Freddy Solomon who makes an acrobatic end zone grab---TOUCHDOWN DOLPHINS - just a tremendous catch by Solomon; the 1975 Dolphins have done whatever they wanted to the 2015 Cardinals today, the 40 years between them no obstacle and it is 24-6.
Arizona starts at their own 40, 33 seconds left.
1/10- Palmer to Michael Floyd - 14 yards. Timeout.
1/10-Palmer to John Brown. 9 yards. Timeout.
2/1-David Johnson picks up the first down with a 4 yard run and the Cards stop the clock with 3 seconds left looking to kick a 50 yard FG.
No good. Halftime.
Third Quarter
Just out and out domination in the first half, the 11th seeded Dolphins on the road just kicking the hell out of Arizona 24-6.
Arizona starts at the 25.
1/10-Chris Johnson back in the game, he loses 1
2/11- 2 for Johnson
3/9 - Palmer to Fitzgerald for 10.
1/10-Johnson gets nothing.
2/10-Andre Ellington gets a carry, he gets 4.
3/6-Palmer picks it up again, 19 to John Brown, Arizona at the Miami 41.
1/10 -Chris Johnson for 5.
2/5 - Arians now mixing Ellington in - he gets 19, Arizona at the Miami 17 yard line.
1/10-Johnson loses a yard.
2/11-Johnson goes for 10 - that takes the Cardinals down to the Dolphin 8 yard line with 8:13 left in the third.
3/1-Palmer to Ellington for 7, Arizona has the first and goal.
1/goal-Palmer to Ellington out in the flat, makes one man miss and he is into the endzone TOUCHDOWN CARDINALS
After the XP, Cards kick, Dolphins will start at the 22, leading 24-13 with 6:38 left.
1/10 - 5 for Morris.
2/5- 5 for Morris. 1st down.
1/10 - Miami goes back 10 on a holding call.
1/20 - Nottingham again - 26 more for Nottingham, another Dolphin first down. Line of scrimmage dominance.
1/10- A dozen for Morris. After that, another holding call on the next play.
1/20 - 1 for Nottingham.
2/19 - 1 for Morris.
3/18 - Arizona just can't keep this Miami offense down - they convert a 3rd and 13, Griese hitting Nat Moore for a 28 yard gain; Miami at the Cardinal 20 yard line with 1:29 left in the third.
1/10- Nottingham gets 9.
2/1 - Incomplete, Griese takes an end zone shot.
3/1- Griese finds Andre Tillman for 7 - that's a first down as the quarter ends.
Fourth Quarter
Miami has led the whole way; it's 24-13 and they have first and goal at the Cardinal 4.
1/goal - Nottingham gets stacked up.
2/goal - Morris gets stacked up.
3/goal - Play action - Morris runs into the line but Griese is passing the ball - wide open in the back of the end zone is Howard Twilley - the Dolphins are going to miss the XP, but it's now 30-13.
13:27 left, Arizona at the 38 trailing 30-13
1/10 - David Johnson back on for Arizona, tries to run wide and is forced out of bounds at the line.
2/10- Ellington gets 5.
3/5 - Palmer to Fitzgerald for 9.
1/10- 4 for Ellington.
2/6 - Incomplete
3/6 - Palmer to John Brown --- 27 yards and the Cards are down to the Dolphin 17. 10:23 left.
1/10- Palmer to Malcolm Floyd, 14 yards.
1/goal - David Johnson scoots into the endzone - TOUCHDOWN CARDINALS and after the XP it's 30-20.
Miami will start at their own 30, Cards still need two scores and decide to rely on their defense.
3 and out. Miami runs the ball 3 times and punts.
Cards at their own 17 after an illegal block on the return - 7:30 left. Down 10.
1/10 - Palmer to David Johnson for 6.
2/4 - Palmer to John Brown for 28! Cardinals have crossed midfield - still 6:17 left.
1/10 - Handoff - David Johnson busting for 22 as the Dolphins play the pass - and now Arizona is at the 27. Offsides on the next play.
1/5 - Incomplete
2/5 - Incomplete
3/5 - Incomplete
Needing 2 scores Arians settles for the FG - it's 30-23 Dolphins.
Miami takes over at their own 31. The lead is down to 7. 4:50 left.
1/10 - 13 yards for Mercury Morris.
1/10-Nottingham is stopped at the line.
2/10 - Morris gets a yard.
3/9 - Bulaich is hit by Campbell at the line -- FUMBLE --- FUMBLE --- recovered by the Cardinals! Arizona recovers the Bulaich fumble and with 2:45 to go they have the ball at the Miami 47!!
This Phoenix crowd is alive for the first time all game - the Cardinals have scored the last 10 points and now have the ball again at the Miami 47 yard line with 2:45 to play.
1/10 - Palmer to Fitzgerald. 13 yards. Cards at the 34.
1/10 - Palmer to David Johnson out of the backfield for 2.
2/8 - Incomplete
3/8 - Palmer under pressure, scampers out of bounds at the line of scrimmage, and with 1:56 left after the 2 minute warning, we have a big 4th down.
4/8 - Palmer to Malcolm Floyd for 11 yards and he's out of bounds with a first down at the Miami 21 yard line with 1:51 to play. Oh man --- oh....man.
1/10 - Arians tries to cross Miami up again with a run - this time David Johnson is brought down for no gain and the Cards use their first time out. An offsides call brings the ball to the 16 yard line.
1/5 - Incomplete
2/5 - A give to Ellington -- and Bill Stanfil is there to stop him in the backfield - a 3 yard loss.
3/8 - Incomplete. So - we're here again. Another 4th and 8. 1:26 to play. Arizona is at the Miami 19 yard line down 7.
4/8 - Palmer looks to the end zone - looking for Larry Fitzgerald - fires --- broken up by Jake Scott! The pass is incomplete - the Dolphins take over on downs - the Cards are going to burn through their last 2 time outs, Miami will run out the clock after picking up a first down on a Morris run.
Final: DOLPHINS 30 CARDINALS 23
Great comeback from the Cardinals falls short; the '75 Dolphins advance to face the '67 Raiders in Round 2.
Griese: 14-20 208 yrds 2 TD/1 INT
Palmer: 17-26 198 2 TD
Nottingham 14 carries 141 yards 1 TD
Morris 19 carries 97 yards 1 TD
David Johnson 12 carries/60 yards 1 TD
Moore: 4 catches, 75 yards
Fitzgerald 6 catches, 67 yds 1 TD
Campbell 10 tackles/sack
Player of the Game: DON NOTTINGHAM
