Cincinnati Bengals vs. Miami Dolphins
- Episode aired Dec 2, 1974
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Not representative of the newly competitive Bengals
Under quarterback Ken Anderson, the Bengals with legendary head coach Paul Brown and quarterback coach Bill Walsh were still a new team to the tough AFL Central Division. They had already emerged as a viable threat to the seemingly invincible Steelers, whom they had tied for their Division Title in 1973, a year that would end with the Dolphins winning their 2nd consecutive Super Bowl. Anderson, a raw talent discovered, scouted and groomed by future '48er coach Walsh, was the sole Bengal star, who in '74 would win the first of four #1 Passer ratings (placing him 2nd best of all time) while putting up NFL-leading numbers in total yardage and yards gained per completion. But to be effective, Anderson, like Shula's Dolphins, needed receivers and a rushing game. The Bengals on this night had no weapons to offer the largely frustrated quarterback. Essex Johnson, their most effective rusher, was lost to injury, and the sensational speedster, wide receiver Isaac Curtis was neutralized by Shula's combination of a relentless pass rush and triple-teaming of the league's fastest receiver. This is a game from the "Era of the Dead Ball" that lives up to its name. Dolphins' fans will enjoy it; Bengals' fans can be grateful that games like this would become increasingly rare for this young, usually productive team.
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- schell-7
- Mar 10, 2019
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