On This Date in Sports December 3, 1973: Surviving the Steelers (50 Years of Following Up Perfection Week 12)
The Miami Dolphins hold off a second-half charge by the Pittsburgh Steelers to win a Monday Night battle at the Orange Bowl 30-26. The Dolphins controlled the first 30 minutes, holding a 30-3 lead at the half. However, the Steelers scored 23 unanswered points and had a chance to win the game when Jake Scott made a game-sealing interception. It was one of six interceptions by the Dolphins defense, including a pair of pick-sixes by Dick Anderson.
It was a rematch of the 1972 AFC Championship Game as the Miami Dolphins hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Monday Night game at the Orange Bowl. Both teams were in first place, with the Dolphins an NFL-best 10-1, while the Steelers were 8-3, entering the game on a two-game losing streak. The Steelers lost to the Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns in the previous two weeks. With Terry Bradshaw struggling and Terry Hanratty injured, Joe Gilliam made the start for the Steelers at quarterback.
The game got off to a rocky start for Joe Gilliam as he was picked off by Dick Anderson, who had a 27-yard interception return for the first score of the game. Later in the first quarter, Curtis Johnson picked off Gilliam to set up a 28-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian. Following a three-and-out, the Dolphins drove deep into Pittsburgh territory, with Yepremian getting a second field goal from 46 yards. Before the first quarter was over, Anderson picked Joe Gilliam off again; this time, the Dolphins' safety returned the ball to the two-yard line, leading Bob Griese to get a two-yard touchdown pass to Jim Mandich.
The first quarter was a disaster for the Steelers as the Dolphins held a 20-0 lead. Chuck Noll decided to switch quarterbacks as Terry Bradshaw came on to relieve Joe Gilliam. Giilliam's first NFL start was a disaster as he failed to complete a pass in seven attempts, with three interceptions, including a pick-six. Bradshaw's fate was the same as Gilliam's as his first drive ended with a pick-six by Dick Anderson that went 38 yards, as Miami stretched their lead to 27-0.
The Steelers would find their offensive footing as they drove into Miami territory as Roy Gerela made a 38-yard field goal, helped out by a Miami penalty that gave him a second chance to get Pittsburgh on the board after his first kick sailed right. Led by the running of Mercury Morris and Larry Csonka, the Dolphins were able to answer with a 14-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian. The Dolphins would have a 30-3 lead at the half, with Dick Anderson getting a fourth interception.
While the Dolphins were ahead on the scoreboard 30-3, the Steelers defense kept Miami's offense in check. They allowed just 189 yards total offense. Mercury Morris accounted for 58 yards on 13 carries, while Larry Csonka had 54 yards on 17. The Steelers' second-half comeback began with Preston Pearson catching a five-yard touchdown pass from Terry Bradshaw. However, a chance to get closer was turned away as the Dolphins entered the fourth quarter, holding a 20-point lead.
In the fourth quarter, the Steelers made it a two-score game on a 21-yard touchdown run by Franco Harris. A fumble by Larry Csonka gave the Steelers the ball at midfield. They would drive down the field, with Barry Pearson catching a 17-yard pass from Bradshaw to cut Miami's lead to six points with just under five minutes remaining in the game.
The Steelers would get the ball with a chance to take the lead, but the Dolphins' defense stiffened, forcing a punt with two minutes left. The Steelers were able to pin the Dolphins deep into their own territory. With less than a minute left, Miami took a safety to get the free kick and prevent a disaster on special teams. The deliberate safety worked in Miami's favor as Jake Scott picked off Terry Bradshaw with 18 seconds remaining to seal a 30-26 win.
The loss would cost the Steelers a division title, as they finished 10-4 and earned the Wild Card spot in the AFC. Losing their Divisional Playoff matchup against the Oakland Raiders 33-14.