Dolphins/Redskins Superbowl VII, Who was Favored?

[cincy]

I wanted to know the final closing line for MIA vs WAS in Superbowl VII on 1/14/73. Vegas Insider Superbowl history shows MIA as a 1 point favorite but Wikipedia shows WAS as a 1 point favorite and KronishSports.com shows WAS as a 2 point favorite. Maybe one of these was an open line and another is a closing line. Are there any other websites that I can check to see what line is listed at another source? Does anyone happen to recall what the line opened at and how it moved?

[Wheell]

The line spent most of the week at Wash -3. The late money came in on the Dolphins. On Friday the line was Wash -3.

[brock]

Dolphins only played 2 teams with winning records during the regular season

[Wheell]

Both were 8-6 if I recall, but I also recall the Dolphins going on the road to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship game.

[CAPN CRUNCH]

I lost my ass on the Skins that year............to this day I still believe George Allen and his curfews cost the Skins that Super Bowl. When we beat Dallas, which had crushed the Dolphins the previous year, I thought the SB was a foregone conclusion. Even without Jurgensen, I still cannot believe we lost. Oh, the traumas of youth. '83 and the loss to the Raiders was not much better!

[Wheell]

I think the 73 Dolphins proved the 72 Dolphins weren't a fluke. If it weren't for a rival football league the Steelers dynasty might have been delayed.

[LT Profits]

Both were 8-6 if I recall, but I also recall the Dolphins going on the road to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship game.

HUH?

Miami was 14-0.

And Washington was still -3 the morning of game day.

[CAPN CRUNCH]

HUH?

Miami was 14-0.

And Washington was still -3 the morning of game day.

LOL! Washington was the better team!

[LT Profits]

I was just answering the question as to what the line was. I wasn't commenting on who was better.

[Wheell]

I meant the teams that Miami had beaten with winning records during the regular season had both finished 8-6. You missed the context LT.

[LT Profits]

Got it, sorry Wheel. And I think Cleveland, who Miami played in the first round, was 7-7. So Miami's best win before the Super Bowl was indeed the AFC Championship Game on the road in Pittsburgh.

[cincy]

Thanks, so if the line was WAS-3 on Friday before the game what was the line on Sunday gameday?
Does anyone have access to Don Best odds archives to check?

[THE HITMAN]

Easy to say now, but man, did I clean up on that game. Nice for me to reflect back on a good game.
I was a die hard young Fin fan at that time, my heart was fluttering and I let it all fly. I couldn't believe I was getting points. Had some on the money line, also, although there wasn't too much shopping around as there is now..........you were limited to whatever local(s) you knew/used. Some would not give a money line.
Since then, I have gradually learned to not bet with my heart, although, as anything, it works sometimes.

[ritehook]

My records indicate that Miami at game time was -1.

I note that the Vegas Insider site has the same number.

Jake Scott, Miami safety, was the MVP of that game, won by the Fins by 7.

[Wheell]

In Vegas the line was -3. Vegas Insider logged the closing line after Miami got slammed late.

[LT Profits]

So the ultiimate answer to the OP's question is it depends on what source you use. Those were the days before Don Best screens, so there was a lot more fluctuation of lines than there is now.