On This Date in Sports November 18, 1973: Clincher (50 Years of Following Up Perfection Week 10)
The Miami Dolphins clinched their third straight division title by blanking the Buffalo Bills 17-0 at Rich Stadium. In winning the AFC East, the Dolphins improved to 9-1 as they demonstrated a bend but not break defense, not allowing the Bills to score despite outgaining Miami 309-277. O.J. Simpson continued his pursuit of history by rushing for 120 yards on 20 carries, while Jim Braxton rushed for 119 yards on 17 carries. However, a goal-line stand in which the Dolphins stopped the Bills four times at the one-yard line proved to be the nail in Buffalo's coffin.
It had been a promising start for the Bills, who won four of their first five games for Lou Saban. The Bills had a new stadium as they left the old War Memorial Stadium for a new modern stadium in suburban Lake Orchard, New York. Setting the pace was O.J. Simpson, who raced out to a 2000-yard pace. However, their Week 6 loss in Miami sent the Bills into a tailspin as they went into the rematch at 5-4, with the Dolphins needing just one win to clinch the AFC East.
It was an icy day in Western New York, as a winter chill had temperatures hovering near the freezing mark. The Dolphins took an early lead on a one-yard smash from Larry Csonka. Mercury Morris did the heavy lifting on the drive with a 45-yard run deep into Buffalo territory. The first drive also saw Jim Kiick get a pair of critical fourth-down conversions as Miami sought to take the spirit from the Bils early.
In the second quarter, the Dolphins extended their lead to 10-0 on a 39-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian. The Bills appeared poised to answer but were stopped on the goalline, with Miami keeping the Bills off the scoreboard by stopping four runs at the one. Adding insult to injury, the Dolphins grabbed a 17-0 lead late in the first half as Paul Warfield reeled in a 17-yard pass from Bob Griese.
There would be no scoring in the second half as the Bills could not break the No-Name Defense despite a pair of 100-yard rushers. Bob Griese led the way for Miami, passing for 123 yards, while Mercury Morris rushed for 79 yards on 13 carries. The Dolphins' 17-0 win gave them time to focus on a short week as their net game would come on Thanksgiving in Dallas. The Bills would win their final four games to finish 9-5 but missed the playoffs, despite O.J. Simpson setting an NFL record with 2,003 yards on the season, winning MVP honors.