The 1971 Miami Dolphins season was the team's sixth, and second in the National Football League (NFL). The team improved on their 10âÂÂ4 record from 1970 and finished at 10âÂÂ3âÂÂ1 to win the first of four consecutive AFC East titles. They opened the season with a tie at Denver, split the next two, then won eight consecutive to improve to 9âÂÂ1âÂÂ1.
The Dolphins won their first division title, finishing first in the AFC East, and then defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round in a second overtime (the game is considered the longest in NFL history by time). They advanced to their first AFC championship game and shut out the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Colts 21âÂÂ0. However, in Super Bowl VI, Miami was walloped 24âÂÂ3 by the Dallas Cowboys. After losing that Super Bowl, the Dolphins did not lose another game until week 2 of the 1973 season, going overall in the next two seasons (1972, 1973), both ending with Super Bowl victories.
Miami Dolphins 27 K.C. Chiefs 24 (20T)
Miami Dolphins 21 Baltimore Colts 0
Dallas Cowboys 24 Miami Dolphins 3