1985 Miami @ Denver

[@michaelbliesener9883]

The field general Dan Marino commanding the field, and the Great Don Shula roaming the sidelines. Man, those were the days!

[@ChildOfThe1970s]

I wish both of these franchises would go back to these classic uniforms.

[@melmiller9507]

Broncos uniforms are now afwul.

[@BookClubDisaster]

Absolutely. The Broncos especially need to go back to royal blue instead of navy blue. Looks 100x better.

[@JayDogTitan-he6wo]

Especially Miami, I just can't figure out that helmet logo.

[@DolFan316]

NFL uniforms in general are so much worse now than they were in the '80s.

[@markc5771]

YESSS!!!

[@dangainey1528]

Great to be able to watch #57, Dwight Stephenson was the best center in football.

[@clightning9703]

man i miss those days of NFL Football when it was fun to watch.. not corrupt or focused on so called "goat" shits of today. Marino's fast-release torched the defensive blitz.

[@rroderickfreeman6681]

Two of the legendary voices in broadcasting called this game: Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen. They were the second best tandem to call games behind Summerall and Madden. What a great game they called!!! And they are no longer with us.

[@melmiller9507]

Enberg >> Madden

[@ErikWoodsCinSoundRadio]

Anyone else > Summerall

[@ljunior75]

The TD to Nat Moore shows why Marino was so amazing. He hit the WR's in stride. Damn I miss that.

[@khutubkhan5459]

Two of the greatest QBs of all time. Elway the better all around athlete. Marino the greatest pure passer I’ve ever seen. I have yet to see any QB even in today’s NFL that can match his passing ability. Dude was awesome

[@Youknowwhoin2024]

Word-salad

[@frankrizzo4460]

Yes indeed.

[@jeccwrs5495]

The announcers back then were A+! Today, you have to tune the volume down!

[@sydnoids1]

Nowadays they don’t shut up for one second

[@john-boy4283]

RIP Dick Enberg

[@orlandomenendez5533]

The late Merlin Olsen and Dick Enberg who passed away last year, both worked for NBC Sports

[@ejrundt]

@@orlandomenendez5533 perhaps other than Madden & Summerall, I say that Enberg & Olsen were the top tandem. Just right after that would be Criqui-Trumpy

[@douglasdixon524]

The NFL is absolute shit these days. I don't even bother wasting my time with it. Who the hell would?

[@da324]

Damn, Dan the man had a quick release.

[@SinisterMud]

I love how he always runs up to his receiver to congratulate him! What a man!

[@khuddle]

Marino's magnificent release. So fun to watch as a QB.

[@marksmith4346]

Glad they caught and commented on Strok talking to Marino during the timeout. As great as he was and as unbelievable as his release was, his best years were when he had a good, smart veteran backup. His best stats came with Strok and Kosar and Jaws.

[@douglasdixon524]

Don Strock was the greatest backup QB ever! He did great every time he came in.

[@willd.8040]

I remember watching this with my dad. That 85 team was very, very good but played a horrible AFC Championship game at home vs the Patriots. Would have been one of the great Super Bowls had they played the Bears again, after ending their perfect season in December.

[@fastpony8127]

Yeah, remember they had something like 6 turnovers. Was probably looking ahead the rematch with the Bears. I think the Bears probably would have handled the Fins in the Super Bowl.

[@patwiggins6969]

As a bears fan, Miami was the only team I feared. Especially after Marino shredded them on the Monday night game

[@ag358]

@@fastpony8127 they didn't handle them in reg season even win their starter came in.

[@DolFan316]

To this day I really believe that under the circumstances, that was the single worst loss in Dolphins history.

[@troyo.8294]

Yes, a huge loss. Pats hadn’t beaten the Dolphins in the OB since late 60’s-maybe early 70’s. A long time!

[@melmiller9507]

Marino greatest passer in NFL history

[@thediehardarkansasrazorbak7288]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nathandodge665]

Zero rings

[@seltonk5136]

Not even the greatest passer in this game 😂

[@Youknowwhoin2024]

Where can we see your stand-up act?

[@Socialdecay864]

The GOAT

[@conlanding]

This game on September 29, 1985 was the first time the Broncos and Dolphins met in a regular season game since 1975 and wouldn’t meet again until 1998.

[@johnlevalley521]

conlanding Another game Broncos lost because Rich Karlis missed an extra point. It also happened on opening day against the Rams. Went 11-5 and missed the playoffs.

[@conlanding]

John LeValley at that time there were only 2 wild-card teams per conference and the division winner with the 3rd best record also had a first round bye and had to open the divisional playoffs on the road. It wasn’t until 1990 when the # 3 seed had to play in the wild card round. The Patriots edged out the Broncos for the AFC’s fifth and final playoff spot in 1985 based on common opponents, Patriots were 4-2 and Broncos were 3-3. The difference in the tiebreaker was that New England defeated Miami and Denver lost to Miami.

[@chrissnyder3430]

conlanding The NFL blew it! Elway vs Marino should have been every year as far as I'm concerned. 2 of the best ever!

[@rsingactdan]

I remember! It was my 16th birthday when I watched this game in Miami. Ah good times! Good times😁👍

[@BookClubDisaster]

What? That's crazy. They were in the same conference.

[@maikolmaikol64]

I really don't care what anyone says Marino has always been the best passer in NFL history

[@izzylagunero114]

Born in 74' Thanks to Marino Dolphins in 84'. I start love em,til this Day... watching Marino play was a show...wich I don't see any more this days...

[@DolFan316]

Born in '73 and starting following the Fins in '82 so I remember Woodstrock and that Super Bowl season as well as the '83 draft and Marino's fall due to having a shockingly bad senior season after being possibly the nation's most hyped college QB after his junior year. I didn't remember any drug rumors at that time but then again I was 10 and had a sheltered childhood. I also remember the 3-3 start to '83 and being really worried, and then the 12-4 finish after Shula finally giving Marino the reins once and for all.

[@theeditorialsuite1070]

Thanks for posting. Even a Niners fan like me can see that Dan is The Man. #NumberThirteen

[@mikeyvee27]

sometimes i forget just how freakn great Marino was...

[@johnenwright500]

I like how just the game was shown , not non stop stats and scores

[@ciesaro]

and sideline reporters

[@acsmooth110]

Probably the reason Denver and Miami met only twice during that time, is because back then scheduling was based on where a team finished in their division of their conference the previous year to determined whom they would play the next season. There where 3 divisions in each conference 2 of them had five teams in the divisions and 2 divisions had 4 teams in the division. If a team finished first in the division they would be matched up with the other 1st and 4th place finishers in the other divisions of their conference. If a team was in a 4 team division they would play the 5th place team once from each division. And the 1st place finishers would play teams 1 thru 4 in the division of opposite conference. (example: teams 1 thru 4 of NFC East vs. Teams 1 thru 4 from the AFC East). Match-ups of AFC vs. NFC were done on a rotational basis every 3 years. If a team finished 2nd in the division of their conference, they'd be matched up with the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the conference. As well as playing teams 1 thru 4 in the opposite conference. If a team finished 4th in the division they'd be matched up with 1st and 4th place finishers in the division of the conference and teams 1 thru 4 in the opposite conference. If a team finished fifth in the five team division of the conference they'd play the other 5th place finishers in the division of the conference twice and would play the teams in a 4 team division of the conference. The 5th place finishers would also play the other 5th place finishers in the opposite conference. That format has changed since expansion, realignment and going from 3 divisions to 4. Scheduling is now done on rotational basis. Meaning within the conference they rotate every 3 years. AFC vs. NFC they rotate every 4 years. With the exception of 2 games is based on where your team finished in the division.

[@DolFan316]

And from 1970-77 the scheduling was really random and wonky by modern sports league standards. There were a couple of set patterns that were adhered to, but even they were convoluted. Divisions did NOT play each other, and for the first five post-merger seasons the Broncos played an extra interconference game against different NFL opponents each time for reasons I still have not figured out.

[@snakeoiler1292]

What nice uniforms the NFL had back then. Today,s uniforms suck pud!

[@chadcolomb4260]

Snake Oiler 12 I agree. Those 🐬 all white uniforms are classic. I hate all the dark jerseys with dark pants in the game today.

[@DolFan316]

It really is like teams intentionally make their unis as ugly as possible now.

[@eulissbeniot9024]

Yes the uniforms stink just like the atmosphere stink in football today. No tradition in football anymore

[@douglasdixon524]

​@@chadcolomb4260Thank you, I don't understand darkening the colors or adding black to everything.

[@jasonbatton4087]

I remember where I was when I watched this game. I am a native Floridian and was a long away from home in New Mexico when I watched this with my older brother. Watching this brings back a lot of memories. If Marino and Elway played in today's league with the QB friendly rules, they would throw for 6000 plus yards a season. Thanks for posting this.

[@douglasdixon524]

I'm from Miami originally and even though I haven't lived there in years, I'll always have my memories of these great games. I was lucky enough in the early 1990s to see Marino, Elway and Montana at Mile High. I lived in Colorado Springs at the time. I don't even bother watching these days. Marino deserved at least one more shot at a ring.

[@cardphins68]

Thank you for posting this!

[@starchild3443]

Both teams need to go back to these uniforms and helmets

dick enbergs voice and commentary was pure gold back in the days. Madden was the king of the NFC and Enberg rules the AFC. he made these afc games so exciting

[@tommythomason6187]

What an arm Dan Marino had! Up there with Sonny Jurgenson as a passer. Dolphins were kickin' it back then.

[@mikegarcia7672]

I still remember this day in Denver. The weather was foggy to drizzly. I was with my Mother. We were hurrying home so I could watch this game. I watched it thinking the Broncos had the edge. Because of the cold weather, and the altitude. But the Dolphins pulled it out. I thought it was around October, but I wikied it, and it was September 29th. Great era for all sports.

[@eflint1]

I watch these old hi-lites all the time to remind me of the "pre-woke" NFL.

[@douglasdixon524]

You gotta love September snow.

[@leodurocher5454]

Patriot fan here, most ex patriot players say Marino was best qb they faced in that era. Shula could never quite put a decent d and running game around Marino in his prime..montana, elway and Marino is about as good as it gets

[@MrNewtowner13]

Leo Durocher and Jim Kelly as a Miami fan he was a pain in my ass!

[@AnonymousSourcesConfidential]

@@MrNewtowner13 Constant pass to Thurman Thomas, out of the backfield then yards after catch, Dolphin Killer. Miami Defense pretty much ruined Marinos Career.

[@acewilliams7917]

@@MrNewtowner13 The K-Gun!!!

[@acewilliams7917]

There were a lot of good quarterbacks then. Montana, Marino, Elway, Kelly, Fouts, Thiesman, Ken Anderson, Simms, Boomer, Moon, Randall C.

[@ll-SNARL-ll]

@@acewilliams7917 yeah now they have to adjust rules and inflate stats 2 make most these bums playing today look good

[@Bruce12867]

How is it that these two teams only met once during a 21-year span? Imagine all the shootouts between Marino and Elway we were all denied. Also, this game was played in Week 4 (September 29, 1985). Denver must have been hit by a freak September snowstorm.

[@acsmooth110]

Probably the reason Denver and Miami met only twice during that time, is because back then scheduling was based on where a team finished in the division of their conference the previous year to determined whom they would play the next season. There where 3 divisions in each conference 2 of them had five teams in the divisions and 2 divisions had 4 teams in the division. If a team finished first in the division they would be matched up with the other 1st and 4th place finishers in the other divisions of their conference And the 1st place finishers would play teams 1 thru 4 in the division of opposite conference. (example: teams 1 thru 4 of NFC East vs. Teams 1 thru 4 from the AFC East). Match-ups of AFC vs. NFC were done on a rotational basis every 3 years. If a team finished 2nd in the division of their conference, they'd be matched up with the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the conference. As well as playing teams 1 thru 4 in the opposite conference. If a team finished 4th in the division they'd be matched up with 1st and 4th place finishers in the division of the conference and teams 1 thru 4 in the opposite conference. If a team finished fifth in the five team division of the conference they'd play the other 5th place finishers in the division of the conference twice and would play the teams in a 4 team division of the conference. The 5th place finishers would also play the other 5th place finishers in the opposite conference. That format has changed since expansion, realignment and going from 3 divisions to 4. Scheduling is now done on rotational basis. Meaning within the conference they rotate every 3 years. AFC vs. NFC they rotate every 4 years. With the exception of 2 games is based on where your team finished in the division.

[@DolFan316]

It was even worse for teams from opposite conferences. The Fins and Giants went 18 years between their first and second meetings. If you were born the year they first played ('72) you would've graduated high school by the time they played again in '90. The Jets and Cards also went 18 years without playing each other, and the Eagles and Chiefs went a whopping 20 years between games 😲😲😲

[@DolFan316]

@@acsmooth110 The current scheduling format is literally the only thing the NFL has gotten right in the last 20 years. So of course they're about to change to 17 and mabe 18 games (sighs).

[@brianjacob8728]

To think, if Elway had stayed with Baltimore, he and Marino would have played twice every season. Add in Kelly when he finally signed with Buffalo, you would have had 6 meetings every season between future HOF Qbs.

[@YMagoulo]

I was there in the south stands throwing snowballs all game long. What a fun day.

[@matrixyoda]

The Marino Dolphins were one of the most exciting teams however its shocking to see how unbalanced the offense is. Amazing how defenses just didn't tee off on him..Marino's is up there with Sanders and Eric Dickerson ..extreme offensive weapons who deserved better-balanced teams..aka like the 49ers of the 80's..one of the most balanced team ever. The only extreme team to win anything was the 85 bears, all Walter Payton and the most aggressive defence ever with the 46.

[@visionaryinsightsports]

Super quick release...Cant get to him unstoppable

[@frankrizzo4460]

I been watching the Dolphins since the early 70s and I miss the Marino days, you always knew you had a chance to come back to win the game when he was in there. I just wish he had a better defense back in the 80s and 90s maybe he could have at least gotten one Super Bowl.

[@CrazeyLazeyHazeyDazey]

16:26. The only TD of Vince Heflin’s NFL career. Pretty cool. I wonder if he’s shown his kids or grandkids this vid. I would. Lol. Everyday.

[@OMikeyboy]

Everyday lol

[@christopherdelgaudio9484]

can't beat this stuff. u the man .great time in the NFL!!!

[@jbstonesfan]

To all you Brady fanboys Marino set the standard for the modern era of throwing the football.Brady is the winningest QB no argument there -but for those in the know , Marino's skills remain unmatched to this day .

[@frankrizzo4460]

Yes indeed, as a kid going to the games in the old Orange Bowl I remember some fantastic finishes from Danny Boy. Wish he could have gotten a Super Bowl victory.

[@DIMP11]

I remember watching this on TV when I was 16 ( now 49). Amazing to see September snow but I guess that is Denver for you.

[@dougmartin1925]

I remember being at that game there still snow in the stands I was on the 5th level I threw a snow ball at Marino when he was on the sideline missing him by a foot man today they would have put me in jail

[@DolFan316]

@@dougmartin1925 It should've put you in jail back then TBH.

[@davidpridham3741]

Marino went wild in this game. I remember watching this on TV - it was an era,y October game - but freak snow storm in Denver that week.

[@thadude4426]

I remember seeing Marino in person for the first time.. I couldn't believe how big QBs really were

[@DolFan316]

Give it another 5 years and half the league's QBs will be under 6 feet tall the way things are going.

[@Yeomannn]

@@DolFan316 Yup the game is devolving.

[@michaelkoszowski2791]

Thanks for uploading ...this is a real treat !!

[@loyaldeterminedcom8234]

Marino Had the best accuracy I seen ever.

[@timjones8166]

Put Marino on the bills with that defense an Thurman thomas bills would have one probably 3 of those 4 super bowls they lost. Put Montana on the dolphins see how many superbowls he wins Marino on the niners see how many he wins. Montana is great but he can't hold a candle to Marino the niners were loaded all pros on offense and defense teams win super bowls. Dolphins never had a complete team to give Marino a chance go back an look at how many times the dolphins lost when Marino put up 30 points or more cause the defense would give up 40 or more.

[@jeffwade9052]

Exactly right dude!!! Marino would put up 40 points on the Jets and the defense would give up 45. You can never have a championship team like that. Marino did his job. Had he had any kind of a decent defense, he could have had at least 3 Superbowl rings! It's really sad that a QB as good as Marino was, shattered all the records years in advance of anyone else, many records standing for a couple of decades before being broken, yet never got a ring and only made one SB appearance. But I totally agree, probably ths best QB to ever play the game. Nobody then, now, or ever will, have a release like Marino did!

[@Grandizer8989]

True. How many HOFers did Marino play with?

[@leegionxavier]

🐨I don't doubt the greatness of Dan Marino, but let's not trash Joe "Cool Joe" Montana! Look at the defenses that Montana had to defeat just win there division, those NFC's elite defenses during his playoffs victories and Montana's "interception free" Super Bowl performances! You can play the "what if" game all you want, but NFL history has been established and recorded, Joe "Cool Joe" Montana is the "Goat" followed closely by Tom Brady.🏉😉👍🐨

[@douglasbrown1194]

A shame Marino didn't win a SB, hes one of the best QB ever.

[@gixxerbrah4100]

16:25 that spin tho

[@vecumex9466]

Marino is simply the GOAT..No need for a system he was the system.

[@Youknowwhoin2024]

L A M E

[@michaelliebers5699]

Two Hall of famers both drafted in 1983 square off against each other.

[@addmarx7207]

When football was REAL!

[@nandomx4794]

Once upon time, there was crowds in the stadiums ...

[@michaeltester2537]

Marino is the standard for QB's best passer ever

[@ll-SNARL-ll]

Its crazy Marino dont get more run ... stupid

[@jassack8498]

Tony Nathan, one of the best all around running backs: running, blocking, receiving.Not a breakaway runner but smart, strong, efficient. He kept moving forwards, head down, but eyes up as much as possible. instead of making wasteful juke moves, he went towards the openings quickly, always going forwards.

[@OMikeyboy]

Very underrated imo.

[@blanchelincoln]

This was the first time Miami and Denver played in 10 years and then they wouldn't meet again for another 13 (once in regular season and then in the playoffs).

[@willardreed2421]

Loved watching Strock coaching

[@bobjerdee755]

: That's still the ball that great receivers catch.: Truer words have never been spoken.

[@Carlos27thFS]

The only thing I notice about old NFL games is that the players do not toss or hand the ball to the officials. Players today are more conscious of where the officials are and get them the ball.

[@OMikeyboy]

Less time on the play clock today. It used to be 30 seconds.

[@OMikeyboy]

Point being, they want that ball spotted asap.

[@walterlv01]

The NFL in those days used a complicated formula based on where teams finished in the standings the prior year to determine who played whom the following season. Because of that it wasn't uncommon for teams, even ones from the same conference, to go many years without playing each other. Too bad because we never had even one meeting between Elway and Marino when they were both in their prime.

[@acsmooth110]

You are right. That is probably the reason Denver and Miami met only twice during that time, is because back then scheduling was based on where a team finished in their division of their conference the previous year to determined whom they would play the next season. There where 3 divisions in each conference 2 of them had five teams in the divisions and 2 divisions had 4 teams in the division. If a team finished first in the division they would be matched up with the other 1st and 4th place finishers in the other divisions of their conference. If a team was in a 4 team division they would play the 5th place team once from each division. And the 1st place finishers would play teams 1 thru 4 in the division of opposite conference. (example: teams 1 thru 4 of NFC East vs. Teams 1 thru 4 from the AFC East). Match-ups of AFC vs. NFC were done on a rotational basis every 3 years. If a team finished 2nd in the division of their conference, they'd be matched up with the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the conference. As well as playing teams 1 thru 4 in the opposite conference. If a team finished 4th in the division they'd be matched up with 1st and 4th place finishers in the division of the conference and teams 1 thru 4 in the opposite conference. If a team finished fifth in the five team division of the conference they'd play the other 5th place finishers in the division of the conference twice and would play the teams in a 4 team division of the conference. The 5th place finishers would also play the other 5th place finishers in the opposite conference. That format has changed since expansion, realignment and going from 3 divisions to 4. Scheduling is now done on rotational basis. Meaning within the conference they rotate every 3 years. AFC vs. NFC they rotate every 4 years. With the exception of 2 games is based on where your team finished in the division.

[@mikesanders3246]

I was 15 years old and at this game :D

[@DolFan316]

BTW I just have to point out that Marino had just one thousand-yard rushing season by a RB teammate his entire career, while Elway had four RB teammates do it before Terrell Davis was drafted. That is all.

[@MrBull-zc6xt]

Dick Enberg's voice was electric!!!!

[@nathandodge665]

THE pass happy ONE DIMENSIONAL dolphins funny how Miami fans were so sure that they were going to win the SB with Marino and never did

[@OMikeyboy]

Let's give credit where credit is due. Marino went against the 49ers who were an outstanding team with a great coaching staff, and the Bills had a four year run where they were damn good. Bruce Smith, Darrell Tally, etc. It's no shame losing to either of those teams. The timing just wasn't right.

[@frankrizzo4460]

If he had a better defense back in the 80s and 90s he definitely would have gotten a Super Bowl victory. Put him on the 49ers back then he would have been piling up the trophies. One of the greatest quarterbacks I've ever seen in my lifetime.

[@nathandodge665]

@@frankrizzo4460 if if if

[@frankrizzo4460]

@@nathandodge665 If I had a million dollars I'd be a millionaire 😂

[@nathandodge665]

@@frankrizzo4460 that's right

[@r.i.c5008]

imagine if Dan Marino had Barry Sanders

[@troynaval4526]

r.i.c 500 that would be great

[@jameswinterfield765]

I don't have 2 because I traded them on the same team on my video game and then wrote about it in my newspaper software program

[@snakeoiler1292]

+r.i.c 500 Imagine if Marino had had Mercury Morris and Larry Czonka and the No Name Defence. Like Bob Griese. Only undefeated team period. 72. 3 Super Bowls in a row. Almost a 4th.

[@Potandthekettle]

Snake Oiler, if you're going to pluck Dolphin RBs from another era I'd take Ricky Williams before anyone else.

[@michealshannon]

Marino put up those numbers because he DIDN'T have a Barry Sanders. I don't think the 2 could co-exist. A decent D would have delivered a couple championships.

[@jamesyoung9311]

Very strange quirks in the schedule back before 2002. These teams are from the same conference but played only one time over a 23 year stretch (1975-1998.) This was that one game.

[@NYNYRaider]

These two teams didn't play again after this until 1998...the Monday nighter then the playoff game.

[@FlipTrojan]

Wow, imagine never winning a SB and only just getting to one SB with a QB like Marino. IDK whether it's Don Shula's shortcomings as a HC or whoever happened to be the GM during this era but this clip brings to mind what an awesome talent Marino was and what a gargantuan waste it was to only muster up one SB appearance.

[@gorncaptain7460]

NO DEFENCE, LIKE AIR CORYELL.

[@gregtrust5599]

Marino was the greatest QB to ever play the position, no other QB played with the mediocrity that Dan did, the Dolphins organization let him down. Just picture the saints today with no running game, no defense, and a minimal WR core, Marino took an identical team to the Super Bowl.

[@rkid727]

Cassius71 yeah man. I honestly feel for Marino and his fans. As an Elway fan, I feared he was on the same path. Denver did for Elway what Miami couldn’t or wouldn’t do for Marino. To be fair, Davis made Shanahan look like a genius but he was drafted in the 6th round. They didn’t know what they had in Davis so it’s very much luck sometimes.

[@tonyeason7900]

Cassius71 Shula was a senile old hag - more concerned about adding guys on defense, with the beginning of their last names with a ‘B’, and not enough attention to landing talent, changing schemes, and with that quick strike offense, took no time off the clock so the defense literally had no chance. There were several factors...mostly, Marino was almost too good for their own good.

[@patwiggins6969]

@gorn captain. Love your handle by the way. But you're right. If Fouts had a shred of a defense the chargers would have won everything.

[@bobjerdee755]

Look at how fast he drops back.

[@72phinatic]

Time out near the end of the 1st half ... Marino heads to the sidelines .. Talks to backup QB Don Strock with Shula listening ... Strock lectures / gestures for Marino do run some play next ... Where is the O Coordinator ? .... Marino runs the play ... TD to TE Joe Rose ... The value of having a backup QB like Strock on the sidelines can't be understated ... You can't find many backup QB's in the league today who are like having another coach on the sidelines the way Strock was for Miami ...

[@patwiggins6969]

Strock was a legend as a backup. Would've been interesting what he could have done as a full time starter. Surprised he hasn't gone into coaching. As far as I know anyway. He had a great knowledge and the game

[@filthyswit]

@@patwiggins6969 He was smart but not terribly talented. They tried him full time before Dan came along and it just didn't work out. That's why we had WoodStrock. He did start several games for the Browns later on in his career, but couldn't cut it as a full timer there either.

[@tomjacoubowsky275]

Many people have commented on how few times they faced each other. Because of the way the NFL used to do the scheduling, this was the only time the two teams played each other between 1976 and 1997. Once in 21 years. www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/miami-dolphins/teamvsteam?opp=10

[@acsmooth110]

Probably the reason Denver and Miami met only twice during that time, is because back then scheduling was based on where a team finished in their division of their conference the previous year to determined whom they would play the next season. There where 3 divisions in each conference 2 of them had five teams in the divisions and 2 divisions had 4 teams in the division. If a team finished first in the division they would be matched up with the other 1st and 4th place finishers in the other divisions of their conference. If a team was in a 4 team division they would play the 5th place team once from each division. And the 1st place finishers would play teams 1 thru 4 in the division of opposite conference. (example: teams 1 thru 4 of NFC East vs. Teams 1 thru 4 from the AFC East). Match-ups of AFC vs. NFC were done on a rotational basis every 3 years. If a team finished 2nd in the division of their conference, they'd be matched up with the 2nd and 3rd place finishers in the conference. As well as playing teams 1 thru 4 in the opposite conference. If a team finished 4th in the division they'd be matched up with 1st and 4th place finishers in the division of the conference and teams 1 thru 4 in the opposite conference. If a team finished fifth in the five team division of the conference they'd play the other 5th place finishers in the division of the conference twice and would play the teams in a 4 team division of the conference. The 5th place finishers would also play the other 5th place finishers in the opposite conference. That format has changed since expansion, realignment and going from 3 divisions to 4. Scheduling is now done on rotational basis. Meaning within the conference they rotate every 3 years. AFC vs. NFC they rotate every 4 years. With the exception of 2 games is based on where your team finished in the division.

[@steveadams8399]

I have the whole game but it is on VHS. Funny. One time,years after this game,an announcer said Marino/Elway never played against each other.

[@iamtman1]

They did play again Monday night football 98 season. Dolphins won again 31-21. Then Denver in 99 in the playoffs vs a Dolphin team that sucked other than Marino. The greatest passer ever Marino vs possibly the most athletic QB in Elway. Too bad they didn't meet more often.

[@nemo-nb3gh]

22:50 imho bad penalty call, suspiciously late flag . Bronco DB D. Smith batted ball away with his hand from receiver first and then made incidental contact after. if it was anything prior it was just a touch on the back of wr Mark Clayton. watched it several times also in slo mo.

[@KINGWYCO]

this look like was a great game

[@Bipbop66]

KINGWYCO , Yes it was...Marino and Elway....classic!

[@ianisaac2501]

@Craig Culbertson That is the late Dick Enberg calling the game

[@DolFan316]

1:35 The longest reception of Nathan's career, and he caught a LOT of passes for a RB by that time's standards especially. (Checks PFR) in fact from '80-86 Nathan had more catches than any other RB in the league so yeah.

[@OMikeyboy]

Nathan was a very underrated player. Did nothing great, but was solid in each facet of the position.

[@toniccoker]

If the bears had of drafted marino he would have won a ring and I don’t mean one

[@ag358]

Yes with that defense and run game. It would have been lights out

[@gregtrust5599]

Yes. He probably wouldve won 3 in a row in those mid 80s when Marino was in his prime and otherworldly. I've never seen a better QB in my life, past or present

[@RogerAM78]

This was great! Wish you could’ve upload the whole game, the NFL sucks never shows these games

[@sce2aux464]

I think a lot of us wanted Miami and Denver in the 1984 AFC championship, as opposed to Miami vs. Pittsburgh.

[@dsscam]

What a way to enter a broadcast! So they stated late and then cut away before it was over.

[@iamtman1]

Elway was a great athlete, but no one ever threw a football better than Dan Marino!

[@orviskid]

Imagine if marino played today with the don’t touch the qb rules

[@ll-SNARL-ll]

8,000 yds & 80 tds a yr... 👍

[@robertfriedman2829]

Won without Duper and Clayton that day

[@Grandizer8989]

1:43 Amazing speed for a LB

[@michelledibella4115]

The dolphins under Marino had zero running game and zero defense. They won on marines arm only

[@FastPonyGT]

If he had either, I believed he would won a few Superbowls.

[@FastPonyGT]

Yes, but the Killer Bees were at the tail end when Marino came aboard and that's the only reason he made to one Super Bowl in 17 years. Again, he only had top flight defense his first couple years and never had a running game as a balanced attack.

[@bigmrclean]

Agreed....If he had the tools that a lot of these Super Bowl Teams have had in the past...No doubt about it, he'd have at least one ring. Wasn't meant to be and that sucks really bad.

[@Shinobi33]

Calvin Montague he was not a mediocre QB after '95. was he as good? no, but he still had a live arm with almost no weapons to throw to. he also was hancuffed by Jimmy Johnson strict audible restrictions. Despite this the dolphins still won a lot of games after 95 because of Marino

[@OMikeyboy]

Calvin Montague More his legs then arm. Without your legs it's tough to throw.

[@401Impala]

It was the Rose spike before it was the Gronk Spike.

[@DolFan316]

Also, Dolphins were just 4-4 on the road this season and this was the biggest win of them all.

[@hermeswings1925]

I can smell Sunday dinner. Aahh .

[@OMikeyboy]

Never say never, but there are other clips I'd prefer to upload first.

[@tremartin111]

Marino was such a gunslinger! Fast, accurate, and lethal!

[@crinoid1919]

I was at this game :D I was 15 years old

[@jeffreyt.steptoe5306]

A "Shoot-out" between Marino and Elway!!! What a fantastic "Football" memory to have!!! CONGRATS!!!

[@khaliljones1861]

How old are you now because I don't know

[@mccitstudent]

So I take it Omikeyboy is a Dolphins fan😂😂😂

[@OMikeyboy]

Indeed.

[@jbstonesfan]

A big loss for Dan was the career ending injury Dwight Stephenson suffered against the Jets. Dwight was an incredible player and leader.

[@DolFan316]

This game has the only TD Vince Heflin scored in his NFL career, which only lasted five seasons.

[@DolFan316]

'85 was arguably the 2nd best season of Nat Moore's career. Only his '77 season was clearly better.

[@still2fast]

I was at this game.. Snowballs were flying all around us.

[@maikolmaikol64]

Thank god he still is an owner and status job maybe next year he will get that elusive ring

[@ziggymorris8760]

Broncos had nice uniforms, should never have changed them.

[@richarddarmstadt1630]

1980's Dolphins: Great show with that aerial attack but no running game and no defense means no championships.

[@raypratt3611]

Im not sure marino and barry would have worked cuz even when there was a semblance of a running gm the min it started failing they went right back to the air and lets not forget marino had the green light to audible at the line,which he did a lot!!how many times did we see him pass the ball on 3rdand 1 or 2 ??dan had a little of that favre gun slinger in him,he loved to sling it all over the field,so im just not sure on the marino and barry thing??

[@robrob1488]

Both quality QBs. Different styles. Marino the far quicker, more accurate passer, Elway the better improviser and better at extending plays.

[@Ramblebar]

Not too mention FAR FAR Tougher and more Resilient than Dandy Dan as a kid growing up 20 minutes away from the old Mile High Stadium in Lakewood,Colorado John Elway was my childhood hero,no diss on Dan Marino though he was a great QB !!!

[@robrob1488]

@@Ramblebar Marino started every (non-strike) Dolphins game for 9 years (1984 - 1992). 145 straight starts. In an era that did not protect the QB unlike today, that was a great record and better than all his peers. So Marino was pretty tough and played through injury. It smashed the previous continuous starts record but doesn't show in the record books as the stupid strike games in 1987 interrupted it.

[@ceedee7647]

John Elway, Dan Marino and Aaron Rogers are the best QB's of all time🏈🥇🐐

[@da324]

Aaron Rogers isn't as good as Brady and I'm a Dolphin fan. And I'll take Montana over Elway any day.

[@ceedee7647]

@@da324 Anyone could win with the teams Joe Montana had all that talent only 4 rings in 16yrs

[@gregtrust5599]

Elway was stronger and more athletic than Montana. Had a way bigger arm and was more physical but Montana was the better QB even with a weaker arm. Joe had better pocket awareness and accuracy. Dan and Joe were the best of that era by far, Elway was second tier like Kelly and Moon. As far as talent and skills for a player, no other QB was in the same universe as Marino. True GOAT

[@Youknowwhoin2024]

Fanboy

[@joeszach2232]

The game was better then than it is now. Even the announcers are better.

[@OMikeyboy]

Absolutely.

[@DolFan316]

So refreshing to hear announcers concentrating on the actual game as opposed to yammering about literally anything except what's happening right in front of them.

[@drbonesshow1]

Denver had to win this game because at 11-5 they still missed the playoffs. Ridiculous.

[@raypratt3611]

I know this was at the end of Nathan's career but damn was he slow,ain't no way a LB'R should catch a RB who had almost 10 yds on him in the open field,not only did Nathan NOT have a 2nd gear but he literally dropped down a gear!!😂😂but all joking aside Nathan was a good player thru his career and that LB'R had to be pretty fast to catch him in the open field!!

[@henryperez606]

I saw this game on TV and when tony Nathan got a caught from behind I thought it was because of the altitude I thought he just ran out of gas

[@markfrenzy9647]

If Steelers got Marino they would four more after Bradshaw

[@stardaddyo9]

The dolphins should not wear white pants with the white jersey