Undefeated NFL teams: 1972 Dolphins pop champagne as Eagles' quest for NFL history ends | Sporting News (2024)

Taylor Heinicke might be getting a Christmas card from Larry Csonka.

The Eagles were the lone remaining undefeated squad in the 2022 NFL season, but that came to a screeching halt on "Monday Night Football" in Week 10, when Heinicke and the Commanders handed the Eagles their first loss of the 2022 season.

The L for the Eagles is a massive W for the Dolphins; Specifically, the 1972 Dolphins, the last and only undefeated squad in NFL history, who are now celebrating their unique title for a 50th year.

MORE: How the Commanders upended the Eagles, handed team their first loss of 2022

While the Eagles weren't knocking on the '72 Dolphins' door (and, to be fair, they weren't even on the same block), it's still a cause for celebration for the surviving members of the team — including Csonka, who sent a message of thanks to the Commanders after their win:

Thank you #WashingtonCommanders As in 2020 when you knocked out the #Steelers I’m a Washington fan tonight! #WASvsPHI #ESPN #72Dolphins #UNDEFEATED pic.twitter.com/os9MFJDnsU

— Larry Csonka (@Larry_Csonka39) November 15, 2022

"Thank you #WashingtonCommanders As in 2020 when you knocked out the #Steelers I’m a Washington fan tonight!," Csonka tweeted.

Washington head coach Ron Rivera would notice Csonka's tweet, simply offering a "Your (sic) welcome!" tweetin response.

Many have tried, but only one team has captured perfection in NFL history, leading to champagne bottles being popped once again on Monday night.

Undefeated NFL teams

Only one team has ever gone wire-to-wire to secure an undefeated season: The 1972 Miami Dolphins, who went 14-0 in the regular season and 3-0 in the playoffs to win Super Bowl 7 over Washington.

There are only three other teams that have flirted with perfection in NFL history:

• The 1934 Bears, who lost in the NFL championship game vs. the Giants
• The 1942Bears, who lost in the NFL championship game vs. Washington
• The 2006 New England Patriots, who went undefeated in the regular season, eventually losingto the Giants in Super Bowl 42

1972 Dolphins roster, surviving players

As of Nov. 15, 2022, 28 members of the 1972 Dolphins are alive, including quarterback Bob Griese and running backs Csonka and Mercury Morris. Head coach Don Shula unfortunately passed in May 2020.

MORE: Bob Griese makes cut for Miami Mount Rushmore of Sports

Here's the roster from the undefeated '72 Dolphins:

*Deceased.

1972 Dolphins schedule

The Dolphins played a 14-game regular season schedule and a three-game playoff run en route to their first (and only) Super Bowl victory. Here's how they ran the table: