Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3
Jan. 16, 1972
at New Orleans |
More historic than dramatic, the Cowboys' Super Bowl breakthrough finally convinced everyone they deserved to be world champions.
Dallas was too talented in all phases of the game, and the young Dolphins should have realized they could have lost by 35 points instead of 21. Roger Staubach threw touchdown passes to Lance Alworth and Mike Ditka and was named the game's MVP. Duane Thomas and Walt Garrison ran tough behind splendid blocking. And the sweetest moment on defense, fittingly, belonged to Bob Lilly. A year before, the perennial All-Pro defensive tackle had thrown his helmet 60 yards in rage when the Colts won Super Bowl V on a last-gasp field goal. This time, Lilly ran down Miami quarterback Bob Griese for a 29-yard sack, to give him his second Super Bowl record.
"This one was a lot more fun to remember," Lilly said.
So was the game.
