Aqua Archives: Colts Classics that defined Dolphins-Peyton-era and Shula-era history

The Dolphins and Colts are set to renew a long-running AFC rivalry again, and Miami’s own franchise archive looks back at a few of the series’ most lopsided and defining Dolphins performances.

In 2001, Miami delivered one of its most convincing wins of the early-2000s, defeating Indianapolis 41-6 in a Monday night game in Miami Gardens. The Colts were led by Peyton Manning, who was intercepted three times in the primetime matchup, including two by Brock Marion. Jay Fiedler threw three touchdown passes, with a pair going to rookie Chris Chambers, while Lamar Smith ran for 107 yards as Miami improved to 9-3 and reached a third straight playoff appearance, according to the Dolphins’ archive.

Miami’s dominance in the classic rivalry stretches back even further. In 1973, the Dolphins blanked the Baltimore Colts 44-0 on their way to a second consecutive Super Bowl title. The Dolphins’ archive credits Mercury Morris with paving the way, averaging 12.0 yards per carry and finishing with 144 rushing yards and two scores. It also describes Miami as putting together a stretch of sustained control, shutting out Baltimore four consecutive times between the 1971 postseason and the 1973 regular season, before going on to win Super Bowl VIII.

The Dolphins-Colts connection is also tightly linked to Don Shula’s coaching path. The archive recounts that after Shula agreed to become Miami’s head coach in 1970, Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom said the hiring did not follow league policies, and NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle agreed, awarding Baltimore the Dolphins’ first-round pick in 1971. That same 1970 season included two matchups between the clubs, with Baltimore winning the first in Memorial Stadium and Miami responding with a 34-17 win at the Orange Bowl, led by Jake Scott’s 77-yard punt return touchdown and an interception of Johnny Unitas, the Dolphins’ archive reports.