By Darin On January 2, 1982, the Miami Orange Bowl played host to a contest that would instantly be immortalized as “The Epic in Miami”—the 1981 AFC Divisional Playoff between the San Diego Chargers and the Miami Dolphins. This game wasn’t just a high-scoring affair; it was a heart-stopping, whiplash-inducing rollercoaster that perfectly captured the drama and resilience of playoff football.
The game started as a rout. Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts and the “Air Coryell” offense exploded to a dominant 24-0 lead in the first 15 minutes, leaving the home crowd stunned. Many assumed the game was over, but this Dolphins team, under coach Don Shula, had a different idea. Miami quickly engineered a stunning reversal of fortune, spurred by quarterback Don Strock coming off the bench. In one of the most incredible comebacks in league history, the Dolphins rallied to tie the score at 24-24 before halftime.
Article from Jan 3, 1982 Daily News (New York, New York)
The second half turned into an absolute slugfest defined by incredible grit and pivotal moments. Late in regulation, with the Chargers trailing, they executed a jaw-dropping series of laterals to score a touchdown, only for the Dolphins to reclaim the lead on a field goal with under a minute left. The Chargers drove down the field, and Rolf Benirschke tied the game as time expired.
The overtime period was equally chaotic, featuring a blocked field goal, a missed field goal, and the unforgettable image of Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow, exhausted and cramping after recording 13 receptions for 166 yards, being helped off the field. Ultimately, it was Benirschke who hit the game-winner, lifting the Chargers to a 41-38 victory.
The Epic in Miami transcends a simple box score; it is the definitive example of a football classic. It set a precedent for playoff drama and cemented the legacies of Fouts, Shula, and the ironman performance of Kellen Winslow. Decades later, it remains one of the most discussed and celebrated games in NFL history.
