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 - FG Benirschke 32, 5:11 |
| 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 |
