Inhistoric.com: The Sports History Blog

What began as a blowout between the Chargers and Dolphins turned into maybe the greatest playoff game in NFL history. For four quarters, both teams put on the highest-scoring playoff game ever and broke a plethora of records along the way.

San Diego's prolific offense, led by coach Don "Air" Coryell, was thought to be the greatest of all time. QB Dan Fouts passed for over 4800 yards, three receivers collected over a thousand yards, running back Chuck Muncie led the league in rushing, and James Brooks produced almost 2000 all-purpose yards.

The Chargers demonstrated their record-setting prowess in the first quarter. A botched kick return and interception set the up Chargers with easy scores. Only thirteen minutes in, San Diego had opened up a 24-0 lead.

Facing a deficit that no team had ever come back from in a playoff game, Don Shula substituted Don Strock in at quarterback early in the second period. Starter David Woodley was struggling and had only produced a single first down. Strock frequently replaced Woodley during the regular season and tandem became known as "WoodStrock."

Strock, a lifetime backup, had the greatest performance of his career, throwing for 4 touchdowns and 403 yards. He revitalized Miami by producing a Uwe von Schamann field goal on his first possession. The Dolphins then recovered a fumble when Fouts lost the ball on a sack. Strock continued to move the ball and found Joe Rose in the end zone coming out of the two-minute warning.

In the final minute of the half, Rolf Benirschke missed a 55-yard field goal, giving the Dolphins the ball at their own 37. It didn't appear that Miami had enough time to capitalize with a touchdown. However with 6 seconds left, on the San Diego 40, Strock completed a 15-yard pass to Duriel Harris, who lateraled it to Tony Nathan before hitting the ground. Nathan took it the remaining 25 yards, leaving the Orange Bowl crowd in complete hysteria. Thanks to the "hook and lateral" play, Miami trailed by only seven at the half.

"I was standing next to Charlie Joiner on the sidelines," said Fouts, remembering the play. "We weren't happy. But in a sick way, we kind of admired it."

The Dolphins carried the momentum into the second half. Strock completed his thirteenth pass in a row -- a 15-yard touchdown to Joe Rose that tied the game at 24.

After not scoring for more than twenty minutes, the Chargers were suddenly against the ropes. Dan Fouts, who himself had a sensational game, regained the advantage for San Diego with a 25-yard TD to Kellen Winslow.

The leading receiver in the NFL, Winslow would have to leave the game due to an injured shoulder, a pinched nerve, and dehydration from the humidity.

Miami answered with a pair of touchdowns to make it 38-31. Strock was driving the Dolphins deep into San Diego territory with under five minutes to go in regulation. Miami was set to either run out the clock or make it a double-digit game with a field goal. On 2nd and 8, the ball was knocked out of the hands of running back Andra Franklin and onto the turf where Pete Shaw recovered it for the Chargers.

Under sixty seconds to go -- Dan Fouts fakes a pass, steps forward, and aims for the right side of the goal area. The pass is intended for Winslow, who can't get to the ball in time. But James Brooks darts out from behind Winslow and catches it in the corner of the goal. The extra point is good, and we're locked up at 38.

San Diego's defense couldn't stop Don Strock, who continued to push the ball into Charger territory. A huge break came when one of Strock's throws was intercepted, however the ball came out as the defender hit the ground, allowing Miami to regain control. It would've been ruled an incomplete pass if it happened today, but in 1982, it was good for an unconventional eleven-yard gain.

That and a few other key completions set up von Schamann with a 43-yard field goal to win the game. Winslow, against the urges of his teammates, hobbles onto the field. The snap to von Schamann is high, the kick is a little low, and Winslow manages to sky high enough to just get a hand on the football. "It was the biggest thrill of my life," said Winslow. "I felt like I scored three touchdowns."

San Diego won the coin toss for the overtime session. Winslow rejoined the offense intermittently before being treated by the trainer. He caught two monster passes on the drive that gave the Chargers two new sets of downs. That set the stage for Rolf Benirschke, who had not missed all season from within thirty yards. He lined up to attempt a 27-yard chip shot. The snap was good, the hold was good, but Benirschke's kick sails to the far left and the game continues.

Eleven minutes into the overtime, von Schamann got his second chance to kick the game-winner -- this one from 34 yards. Yet once again, his kick was far too low and was deflected for the second time in the game.

With double overtime looming, Fouts led the Chargers down the field and positioned Benirschke for a 29-yarder, the contest's fourth attempt to end via field goal. At last, the kick was good, and the fourth longest game in NFL history came to a climactic close. Kellen Winslow had to be helped off the field by a pair of teammates.

Eleven different single-game records were set by Miami and San Diego. Both Strock and Fouts passed the record for completions in a game, both QB's passed for over 400 yards (the first time that had ever happened), and Winslow -- who had the best performance of his gritty, Hall of Fame career -- recorded 13 catches for 166 yards.

"I've never felt so close to death before," Winslow said afterwards. "That's what Muhammad Ali said in Manila and that's how I felt out there at the end."

David Woodley returned as the starter for Miami the following season and led them all the way to the Super Bowl. Along the way, the Dolphins reconvened with the San Diego Chargers and avenged themselves with a 34-13 win.

After the "Epic in Miami," the fatigued Chargers travelled to Cincinnati where they met the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game. The "Freezer Bowl" proved to be too tough for San Diego, who had their season end in below-zero weather.

Further reading:
Rolf Benirschke's Comeback from Ulcerative Colitis