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1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game
January 2, 1982
 Rolf Benirschke's 29-yard field goal with 1:08 left in overtime gave San Diego a 41-38 victory over Miami in the highest-scoring playoff game in NFL history at that time. Benirschke redeemed himself after missing a 27-yard attempt at the beginning of overtime. He got a second chance after Miami's Uwe von Schamann's 35-yard field goal try in overtime was blocked by San Diego's Leroy Jones.
The Chargers opened a 24-0 lead in the first period, but Miami rallied to tie the game on the first series of the third period when quarterback Don Strock hit Joe Rose with a nine-yard touchdown pass. The Chargers went ahead 31-24 when quarterback Dan Fouts passed 25 yards to Kellen Winslow.
The next two touchdowns were Miami's before San Diego tied the score at thirty-eight near the end of regulation when Fouts on a nine-yard scoring pass. Fouts set NFL playoff records for most completions (33), most attempts (53), and most yards (433). Winslow set a playoff record for most receptions (13 for 166 yards). San Diego's Chuck Muncie rushed 24 times for 120 yards and scored his twentieth touchdown of the year, a one-yard run in the first period. Strock, who relieved David Woodley, had the best day of his career. He completed 29 of 43 passes for 403 yards.
 
| San Diego Chargers |
24
|
0
|
7
|
7
|
3
|
-
|
41
|
| Miami Dolphins |
0
|
17
|
14
|
7
|
0
|
-
|
38
|
| SD - Chandler 56 return (Benirschke kick), 7:36 |
| SD - Muncie 1 run (Benirschke kick), 11:02 |
| SD - Brooks 8 pass from Fouts (Benirschke kick), 13:29 |
| MIA - FG von Schamann 34, 6:29 |
| MIA - Rose 1 pass from Strock (von Schamann kick), 12:15 |
| MIA - Nathan 25 run after lateral Harris who received 15 yard pass = 40 yard pass from Strock, (von Schamann kick), 15:00 |
| MIA - Rose 15 pass from Strock (von Schamann kick), 4:10 |
| SD - Winslow 25 pass from Fouts (Benirschke kick), 10:45 |
| MIA - Hardy 50 pass from Strock (von Schamann kick), 13:32 |
| MIA - Nathan 12 run (von Schamann kick), 00:07 |
| SD - Brooks 9 pass from Fouts (Benirschke kick), 14:02 |
| SD - FG Benirschke 29, 13:52 |
| A - 73,735 |
|
ROLF BENIRSCHKE redeemed himself to become the hero of the game. After missing a 27-yarder early in OT, he nailed the game-winner at the 13:52 mark of overtime. (Photo: NFL Photos)
|
| |
|
Chargers
|
Dolphins
|
| Fouts |
33/53
|
433
|
3
|
1
|
Woodley |
2/5
|
20
|
0
|
1
|
| Muncie |
0/1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Strock |
29/43
|
403
|
4
|
1
|
| Muncie |
24
|
120
|
18
|
1
|
Nathan |
14
|
48
|
12
|
1
|
| Brooks |
3
|
19
|
14
|
0
|
Woodley |
1
|
10
|
10
|
0
|
| Fouts |
2
|
10
|
8
|
0
|
Hill |
3
|
8
|
4
|
0
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Franklin |
9
|
6
|
3
|
0
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Vigorito |
1
|
6
|
6
|
0
|
| Winslow |
13
|
166
|
31
|
1
|
Nathan |
9
|
114
|
27
|
1
|
|
Joiner
|
7
|
108
|
39
|
0
|
Harris |
6
|
106
|
30
|
0
|
|
Chandler
|
6
|
106
|
47
|
0
|
Hardy |
5
|
89
|
50
|
1
|
|
Brooks
|
4
|
31
|
9
|
2
|
Rose |
4
|
37
|
15
|
2
|
|
Muncie
|
2
|
5
|
8
|
0
|
Cefalo |
3
|
62
|
23
|
0
|
| Scales |
1
|
17
|
17
|
0
|
Vigorito |
2
|
12
|
8
|
0
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Hill |
2
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
| Edwards |
1
|
35
|
35
|
0
|
Blackwood |
1
|
8
|
8
|
0
|
| Buchanon |
1
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Small |
0
|
22
|
22
|
0
|
| Roberts |
4
|
161
|
40.25
|
47
|
Orosz |
5
|
210
|
42.0
|
45
|
| Chandler |
1/0
|
56
|
56
|
1
|
Vigorito |
1/0
|
12
|
12
|
0
|
| Brooks |
1/1
|
8
|
8
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Brooks |
5
|
85
|
33
|
0
|
Vigorito |
4
|
67
|
21
|
0
|
| Beaudoin |
1
|
15
|
15
|
0
|
Walker |
1
|
18
|
18
|
0
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Hill |
1
|
13
|
13
|
0
|
|