As its 54-year streak can attest to, breaking the record for the longest game in NFL history requires a combination of events that is nearly impossible in the modern game.
While recent rule changes have made it more likely by guaranteeing both teams a chance to score in OT playoff games, no match has come close to the Chiefs and Dolphins historic 1971 divisional round duel that lasted a whole 82 minutes and 40 seconds of on-field action.
The Chiefs and Dolphins are still among the best teams in football today, and the DraftKings sportsbook app and many others have already listed their odds at +650 and +1750 respectively to win Super Bowl LIX.
Let’s take a look back at how this all-time NFL classic happened, and the legacy it left on the game to this day.
Setting the Stage
December 25h, 1971, was the first day of the NFL divisional round and, more importantly, Christmas Day. This was the first time the NFL hosted games on the prestigious holiday, and they were hoping for a thrilling game to get started on the right foot.
After the Cowboys took down the NFC Central Champion Vikings earlier in the day in a matchup that wasn’t as close as the 20-12 final scoreline indicated, it was all on the Chiefs and Dolphins to deliver in a mid-afternoon AFC showdown.
According to the NFL stats, The Chiefs were one of pro football’s most successful franchises up to that point. The winners of Super Bowl IV in 1969 were still among the best teams in football two years later, sporting a 10-3-1 record led by Hall of Fame linebacker Willie Lainer and star receiver Otis Taylor, who eclipsed 1100 yards and finished second in MVP voting.
Across the field were the upstart Miami Dolphins. In only their 6th season of existence, the Dolphins had yet to win a playoff game, but were coming off back-to-back 10-win seasons and a division title. With their star receiver in Paul Warfield, reliable QB Paul Griese, and a loaded defense stacked with future Hall of Famers, Miami was a ticking time bomb of potential.
An NFL Classic
Now, let’s get into the details of the longest NFL game ever.
In a game loaded with star power and future Hall of Famers, it was the Chiefs dual-threat running back Ed Podolak who completely took over in regulation. The former Iowa Hawkeye had only 252 receiving yards during the regular season, but exploded for 8 receptions and 180 yards in the pivotal playoff game, even scoring the first touchdown of the game to put the Chiefs up 10-0 in the first quarter.
But, the Dolphins managed to claw their way back behind the balanced rushing attack of Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick, tying the game at 17 apiece heading into the 4th quarter. Then, it was Podolak who nearly finished off an all-time dominant postseason performance in style, first rushing for the go-ahead touchdown and then returning a kickoff 78 yards after the Dolphins tied the game yet again thanks to a Bob Griese touchdown, setting Kansas City up with a 31-yard chip shot field goal as time expired. Only, Hall of Fame kicker Jan Stenerud missed the gimme, and the game headed to OT.
This is where the defenses took over, as a drive after drive stalled out early and the clock ticked away through not one, but nearly two 15-minute overtime periods. The stalemate was only broken in the 84th minute when Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian buried a 37-yarder to send Miami to the AFC Championship and cement this game as an instant NFL classic.
Miami would go on to make the Super Bowl, before eventually losing to the Dallas Cowboys. Not to worry though, they’d go on to win the next two championship games off the bounce, including completing the NFL’s only undefeated season to date.
