The Epic in Miami is the most famous game amongst football fanatics like me who are a part of National Football League lore. To be frank, I would describe this game as “insane” with the inhumane performances of the players of both the teams as well as numerous records were shattered and replaced by new ones. It was such a high intensity as well as intriguing game which the Sports Illustrated described as “The Game No one should have Lost” whereas The Miami Herald remarked the game as “The Miracle That Died”.
The Epic in Miami was played on January 2, 1982 between San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins at the Miami Orange Bowl. San Diego crushed Miami in the first quarter and gained a commanding lead of 24-0. San Diego delivered the opening blow on the opening drive with Rolf Benirschke’s 32-yard field goal. Wes Chandler then returned the ball when Chargers acquired possession for a 56 yards touchdown to make it 10-0. Several plays later, a 1-yard touchdown by Chuck Muncie and a James Brooks 8-yard touchdown showed 24-0 score line.
Dolphins fought back in the second quarter and registered their first points on the board with 34-yard field goal from Uwe von Schamann. A 1-yard touchdown pass from Strock to Rose made the score 24-10 and with just seconds before halftime the Dolphins cut the deficit to 24-17. Early in the third quarter Strock helped the Dolphins to level the game at 24-24 with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Rose. Chargers regained the lead with a 25-yard touchdown pass by Fouts to Kellen Winslow The game was again tied at 31 with six consecutive passes by Strock, the move ending with a 50-yard scoring strike to Bruce Hardy. Miami acquired their first lead of the game with Nathan’s touchdown in the first play of fourth quarter. Miami then tried to run down the clock and with just 58 seconds remaining, Brooks scored a touchdown and leveled the game.
After an astonishing regular time, the epic battle went into overtime with players of either side exhausted. In overtime, Benirschke as well as Von Schamann attempted to win the game with their 27-yard and 34-yard field goal attempts respectively. Both were unsuccessful. After Fouts charged his team 74 yards to Miami’s 10 yards, Benirschke went for 29-yard field goal only to succeed this time. The score board read Chargers 41 and Miami 38 and that’s where it ended.
It was a truly breathtaking game and Miami fans at least may argue that it was their best ever game!