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30-year Phiniversary: Dolphins blank Chargers to reach AFC Championship

By Mike Ferguson

Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino(L) hugs San Diego Chargers quarterback Stan Humphries (R) 10 January, 1993 after the Dolphins shutout the Chargers 31-0 in this AFC playoff game in Miami. Miami will play the Buffalo Bills for the AFC championship 17 Jan. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino(L) hugs San Diego Chargers quarterback Stan Humphries (R) 10 January, 1993 after the Dolphins shutout the Chargers 31-0 in this AFC playoff game in Miami. Miami will play the Buffalo Bills for the AFC championship 17 Jan. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images) /
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In close to six decades as an NFL franchise, the Miami Dolphins have just two playoff shutout victories.

The most recent came on this day 30 years ago. At home against the San Diego Chargers, the Dolphins dominated from start to finish in a 31-0 victory.

Both teams had finished the regular season with records of 11-5. The Chargers were actually coming off a shutout victory of their own as they arrived at Joe Robbie Stadium on Jan. 10, 1993.

Fresh off a 17-0 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Wild Card, many liked San Diego’s chances. On that Sunday afternoon in South Florida, however, not even the rain could stop a balanced offensive attack or an opportunistic Miami defense.

Quarterback Dan Marino passed for just 167 yards, but threw three second-quarter touchdown passes to give the Dolphins a commanding 21-0 halftime lead. After finding Tony Paige to get the scoring started, Marino twice hooked up with tight end Keith Jackson in the end zone. That included a splendid diving catch for a 30-yard touchdown.

The defense did the rest as the Dolphins intercepted San Diego quarterback Stan Humphries four times. Troy Vincent came up with two picks while linebacker Bryan Cox and safety Louis Oliver added interceptions of their own.

Bobby Humphrey and Aaron Craver combined to rush for 143 yards in the victory. After a scoreless third quarter and a short Pete Stoyanovich field goal, Craver’s 25-yard touchdown run midway through the final period put the exclamation point on the victory. San Diego managed just 202 total yards and a little more than three yards per play.

Box score:
Pro Football Reference

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Miami would fall at home to the Buffalo Bills a week later in the AFC Championship, 29-10. Unfortunately for the franchise, they have not been back.

The 31-0 win over the Chargers, however, remains the most lopsided playoff victory in franchise history. It’s also the latest Divisional round contest won and hosted by the Dolphins. It came on this day three decades ago.

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