Super Bowl XIX

Guide Note:

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Miami Dolphins 38-16 in Super Bowl XIX. This would be the first Super Bowl not televised by either CBS Sports or NBC Sports. ABC Sports handled the broadcast duties, and drew an estimates 115.9 million viewers. It was also the first time that a Super Bowl televising network charged advertisers more than $1 million for a minute's worth of advertising. The 49ers trailed entering the second quarter 10-7 before exploding for 21 unanswered points, and never trailed again in the game. Running back Roger Craig became the first player to score 3 touchdowns in a Super Bowl, but the game's Most Valuable Player award went to Joe Montana. The Niners quarterback threw for 331 yards and 3 touchdown passes, while also running for an additional touchdown.

Fast Facts

1. January 20, 1985
2. Site: Stanford Stadium
3. Location: Stanford, CA
4. Attendance: 84,059
5. MVP: Joe Montana
6. Television: ABC

Miami Nice

The Dolphins went 14-2 during the regular season to easily win the AFC East and posted playoff victories over Seattle and Pittsburgh, outscoring those two opponents 76-38. The 1984 season was a record-setting one for second year quarterback Dan Marino. On the way to winning the regular season MVP award, Marino established single season records for yards passing (5,084), completions (362), and touchdowns (48). Most of those went to his two favorite receivers, Mark Duper and Mark Clayton, a.k.a. "The Marks Brothers".

The Wrong One Showed Up

Despite leading the 49ers to a league record 15 regular season victories, and easy playoff wins over the Giants and Bears, the 49ers weren't the lead story prior to the game; the Dolphins explosive offense was instead. Many overlooked the tenacity of the San Francisco defense, which allowed the fewest points in the league that season. But the 49ers offense were no slouches themselves, finishing second in the league in points scored. This led to offensive lineman Randy Cross's famous end of game quote when he exclaimed, "...they came to see an offense, and the wrong one showed up!"