Sunday, December 30, 2007


16-0*
The New England Patriots joined the Miami Dolphins and the Chicago Bears as the only three teams to complete regular season play with no losses.

This is an amazing accomplishment, and the Patriots deserve kudos from The Lifeguard, a life-long Miami Dolphins fan. It has been thirty five years since a team made it through unscathed; and, it may be another thirty five years before another team does it.

However, the 1972 Dolphins are unique--they went wire-to-wire without losing a game. And, they did it without their starting QB (Earl Morrall took over after Bob Greise was injured). Could the Patriots have won 16 without Tom Brady? And, the Dolphins, though playing the easiest NFL schedule in years, won with a pounding ground assault and a smothering defence.
Also, the Dolphins were not fined a total of $750,000.00 for breaking NFL rules. (Some argue that happened in 1970.)

So, congratulations to the pink-hat wearing Patriot Nation. But, before you start crowing about matching the accomplishments of the 1972 Dolphins, win the Super Bowl. Otherwise, shut the fuck up!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmmmmmmmm? Didn't the Bears only have to play a 13 game regular season and the Dolphins 14 to achieve this? Just a thought!

The Lifeguard said...

Yes, true.

The amazing thing, however, is that the Dolphins are unique in that they won it all. 17-0: Perfect in the regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowl.

A perfect regular season is a big deal; but, if the Patriots can not win the Super Bowl, then comparisons to the 1972 Dolphins are unwarranted.

That is why the fact that the 1934 and 1941 Bears were undefeated is so little-known (except to fans of Da Bears).

Oh, and I don't think I have ever seen a pink Dolphins (or Bears) cap.

Anonymous said...

Your points are well taken. I guess we will just have to wait and see how it "plays" out.

Trivia question for you. In what year did the NFL go to a 16 game regular season?

The Lifeguard said...

1978.

What do I win?

Anonymous said...

A pink hat of course!

Anonymous said...

That's one!!! Only two more.

Go Patriots!