| 1971 Miami Dolphins season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Don Shula |
| Home field | Miami Orange Bowl |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–3–1 |
| Division place | 1st AFC East |
| Playoff finish | Won Divisional Playoffs (at Chiefs) 27–24 (2OT) Won AFC Championship (vs. Colts) 21–0 Lost Super Bowl VI (vs. Cowboys) 3–24 |
| Pro Bowlers | 7 QB Bob Griese FS Jake Scott DE Bill Stanfill G Larry Little WR Paul Warfield RB Mercury Morris FB Larry Csonka |
The 1971 Miami Dolphins season was the team's sixth, and second in the National Football League (NFL). The team improved on their 10–4 record from 1970 and finished at 10–3–1 to win the first of four consecutive AFC East titles. They opened the season with a tie at Denver, split the next two, then won eight consecutive to improve to 9–1–1.
The Dolphins won their first division title, finishing first in the AFC East, and then defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round in a second overtime (the game is considered the longest in NFL history by time). They advanced to their first AFC championship game and shut out the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Colts 21–0. However, in Super Bowl VI, Miami was walloped 24–3 by the Dallas Cowboys. After losing that Super Bowl, the Dolphins did not lose another game until week 2 of the 1973 season, going 32–2 (.941) overall in the next two seasons (1972, 1973), both ending with Super Bowl victories.