Editing Super Bowl XVII (section)

==Background==
===Host selection process===
The NFL awarded Super Bowl XVII to [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]] on March 13, 1979, at the owners' meetings in [[Honolulu]]. For the first time, three Super Bowl host cities were deliberated and selected at the same meeting ([[Super Bowl XV|XV]], [[Super Bowl XVI|XVI]], and XVII). A total of eight cities submitted bids: New Orleans, [[Detroit]] ([[Pontiac Silverdome|Silverdome]]), [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]] ([[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]]), [[Los Angeles]] ([[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum|Coliseum]]), [[Miami]], [[Seattle]] ([[Kingdome]]), [[Dallas]] ([[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]]), and [[Houston]] ([[Rice Stadium (Rice University)|Rice Stadium]]). Pasadena was selected for their third Super Bowl overall. New Orleans (XV) and Detroit (XVI) were other cities chosen at the meeting.<ref name="SPT03-14-1979pg29">{{cite news|title=Super Bowl sun warms Snow Belt (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118641092/|newspaper=The Miami Herald|first1=Ron|last1=Martz|page=29|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 14, 1979|accessdate=February 14, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="SPT03-14-1979pg36">{{cite news|title=Super Bowl sun warms Snow Belt (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118641201/|newspaper=The Miami Herald|first1=Ron|last1=Martz|page=36|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 14, 1979|accessdate=February 14, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref>

After hosting five previous Super Bowls, [[Miami metropolitan area|Miami]] was noticeably left out of the bidding process, largely due the aging condition of the [[Miami Orange Bowl|Orange Bowl]], and for a hotel room mix-up at [[Super Bowl XIII]] two months earlier.<ref name="DFP03-14-1979pg53">{{cite news|title=Michigan's Super Bowl army reached out a winner (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118686572/|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|first1=Vito|last1=Stellino|page=53|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 14, 1979|accessdate=February 15, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="DFP03-14-1979pg60">{{cite news|title=Michigan's Super Bowl army reached out a winner (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118686686/|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|first1=Vito|last1=Stellino|page=60|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 14, 1979|accessdate=February 15, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref> [[Miami Dolphins|Dolphins]] owner [[Joe Robbie]], locked in an ongoing feud with the city of Miami and [[Miami-Dade County, Florida|Dade County]] over stadium improvements or construction of a new stadium, actually lobbied against Miami hosting the game. Robbie convinced the other owners to vote down Miami, in an effort to gain leverage towards building a new stadium. [[South Florida]] would not be selected to host another Super Bowl until [[Hard Rock Stadium|Joe Robbie Stadium]] was built, and it hosted [[Super Bowl XXIII|XXIII]].<ref name="FLDN03-14-1979pg23a">{{cite news|title=Joe's Message To South Florida: No New Stadium, No Super Bowl|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118639386/|newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News|first1=Bernie|last1=Lincicome|page=23|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 14, 1979|accessdate=February 14, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="FLDN03-14-1979pg23b">{{cite news|title=Robbie's 'No' Vote Keeps Super Bowl From Miami|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118639297/|newspaper=Fort Lauderdale News|page=23|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 14, 1979|accessdate=February 14, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref>

This was the first outdoor Super Bowl to have a [[Jumbotron]] present. A temporary Sony [[Diamond Vision]] screen was installed in northeast corner of the stadium just above the last row seats. The only other Super Bowl facilities to date which had replay screens were indoors: the [[Mercedes-Benz Superdome|Louisiana Superdome]] in [[New Orleans]] ([[Super Bowl XII|XII]] and [[Super Bowl XV|XV]]), and the [[Pontiac Silverdome]] near [[Detroit]] ([[Super Bowl XVI|XVI]]).

===NFL players’ strike===
A 57-day-long [[1982 NFL lockout|players' strike]] reduced the 1982 regular season from a 16-game schedule to 9 games. Because of the shortened season, the NFL adopted a special 16-team playoff tournament. Division standings were ignored. Eight teams from each conference were seeded 1–8 based on their regular season records.

The modified schedule forced the league to extend the regular season into January for the first time. After the 57-day strike, the NFL extended the regular season one weekend (pushing the end of the regular season back from December 26 to January 2), moving back the start of the playoffs and eliminating the week off for the first time since [[Super Bowl IV]].

Four teams that made the playoffs the [[1981–82 NFL playoffs|previous year]] failed to do so in the strike-shortened season, even with the greatly expanded postseason field. The [[1982 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]], the [[Super Bowl XVI|defending Super Bowl champions]], struggled to a 3–6 record. The [[1982 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]], [[1982 New York Giants season|New York Giants]], and [[1982 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] also did not qualify for the playoffs. However, the [[1982 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] and [[1982 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] did qualify for the playoffs with 4–5 records, becoming the first teams in NFL history to compete in postseason play despite regular-season winning percentages below .500. No other losing teams would do so until the [[2010 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] reached the playoffs following the {{nfly|2010}} season, becoming the first team to accomplish this in a season unaffected by a strike. The [[2014 Carolina Panthers season|2014 Carolina Panthers]], [[2020 Washington Football Team season|2020 Washington team]], and [[2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] also achieved playoff berths with winning percentages below .500 in seasons not shortened by a players' strike.

===Miami Dolphins===
{{main|1982 Miami Dolphins season}}

The Dolphins finished the strike-shortened regular season with a 7–2 record, ranking them second in the AFC. The Miami club's main strength was its defense, nicknamed the "Killer Bees" because six of the defense's 11 starters had surnames that began with the letter B. The "Killer Bees", anchored by [[Pro Bowl]] defensive tackle [[Bob Baumhower]], allowed the fewest total yards in the league (2,312) and the fewest passing yards in the league (1,027). Linebacker [[A. J. Duhe]] was extremely effective at blitzing and in pass coverage. The Dolphins' secondary, consisting of defensive backs [[Don McNeal]], [[Gerald Small]] and brothers [[Lyle Blackwood|Lyle]] and [[Glenn Blackwood]], combined for 11 interceptions.

However, Miami's passing attack, led by quarterback [[David Woodley]], ranked second to last in the league with 1,314 total yards, 8 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. One of the few bright spots in the Dolphins' passing attack was wide receiver [[Jimmy Cefalo]], who gained 356 yards from just 17 receptions for an average of 20.9 yards per catch. Wide receiver [[Duriel Harris]] also provided a deep threat with 22 receptions for 331 yards.

Miami's strength on offense was its ground game, ranking third in the league with 1,344 rushing yards. Pro Bowl running back [[Andra Franklin]] was the team's top rusher with 701 yards (third in the NFL) and seven touchdowns. Running back [[Tony Nathan]] rushed for 233 yards and caught 16 passes for another 114 yards. Woodley himself also rushed for 207 yards and two touchdowns. One reason for the Dolphins' rushing success was the blocking of their offensive line, led by future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] center [[Dwight Stephenson]], along with Pro Bowlers [[Bob Kuechenberg]] (a starter on Miami's early 1970s Super Bowl teams) and [[Ed Newman]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1982 Miami Dolphins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/mia/1982.htm |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Washington Redskins===
{{main|1982 Washington Redskins season}}

Super Bowl XVII was the Redskins' first Super Bowl victory (third NFL championship overall) and their second Super Bowl appearance; they were defeated by the Dolphins, 14–7, in [[Super Bowl VII]]. This was the second rematch in Super Bowl history (the first being the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] and the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in Super Bowls [[Super Bowl X|X]] and [[Super Bowl XIII|XIII]]). Washington finished the strike-shortened regular season with an NFC-best 8–1 record, earning their first playoff appearance in six years and allowing the fewest points (128) in the league.

Redskins quarterback [[Joe Theismann]] finished the season as the top [[passer rating|rated passer]] in the [[National Football Conference|NFC]], completing 161 of 252 (63 percent) pass attempts for 2,033 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also rushing for 150 yards. The main weapons in the passing game were wide receivers Charlie Brown (32 receptions, 690 yards and 8 touchdowns) and [[Art Monk]] (35 receptions, 447 yards and one touchdown). Running back [[John Riggins]] led the Redskins’ ground game, rushing for 553 yards and three touchdowns during the regular season. Much of Washington's success on offense was attributed to their offensive line, affectionately known as "[[The Hogs (American football)|The Hogs]]".

Washington also had impact players on [[special teams]]. [[Mark Moseley]] became the first [[placekicker]] to win the [[NFL Most Valuable Player Award]], converting 20 of 21 field goal attempts and all 18 of his extra point attempts. Kick returner [[Mike Nelms]] gained a combined total of 809 yards returning kickoffs and punts.

The Redskins' defense was led by 6'7", 296-pound defensive tackle [[Dave Butz]], who anchored the line, along with defensive ends [[Dexter Manley]] and [[Tony McGee (defensive lineman)|Tony McGee]], who each recorded 6.5 sacks. Washington's secondary was led by defensive backs [[Vernon Dean]] and [[Jeris White]], who each recorded three interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1982 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1982.htm |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Playoffs===
{{Main|1982–83 NFL playoffs}}

The Dolphins advanced through the special 16-team playoffs by defeating the [[1982 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]], 28–13, the [[1982 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]], 34–13, and the [[1982 New York Jets season|New York Jets]], 14–0, earning a trip to the Super Bowl for the fourth time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - January 8th, 1983 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301080mia.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins - January 16th, 1983 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301160mia.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - New York Jets at Miami Dolphins - January 23rd, 1983 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301230mia.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Meanwhile, the Redskins defeated the [[1982 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]], 31–7, the [[1982 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], 21–7, and the [[1982 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]], 31–17.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins - January 8th, 1983 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301080was.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins - January 15th, 1983 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301150was.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - January 22nd, 1983 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301220was.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Before the playoffs, the 33-year-old Riggins, who had averaged barely three yards per carry during the season, told coach [[Joe Gibbs]] "I'm really getting down the road. I don't have many of these left. I've been out two weeks and I'm ready. Give me the ball."<ref>{{cite web|title=The List: Best NFL playoff performances|url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/NFLplayoffperform.html|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=March 10, 2017}}</ref> Gibbs did just that, and Riggins ran for a combined total of 444 yards and three touchdowns during those playoff victories.

Another key contributor in the NFC playoffs was backup wide receiver [[Alvin Garrett]], who replaced Monk after he suffered a leg injury that kept him out of the entire postseason. Although he only recorded one reception during the entire regular season, Garrett caught a total of 13 receptions for 231 yards and four touchdowns in Washington's three conference playoff games.

===Super Bowl pre-game news===
Entering Super Bowl XVII, the Dolphins were favored to win, primarily because of their "Killer Bees" defense. It had recorded 12 interceptions in three AFC playoff games, including five each in the final two contests. Another reason was because 26 players on Washington's 45-man roster had been signed by the team as [[free agents]], including 14 who had never been [[National Football League draft|drafted]] by any NFL team. Only ten players on the Redskins roster had any prior playoff experience.<ref>{{cite news|last=Attner|first=Paul|title=Stats, scores and schedules|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/post/redskins-championships-1982-game-10-vs-detroit/2011/06/09/AGVPVcNH_blog.html|work=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 13, 2011|access-date=June 14, 2011}}</ref>

As was the case in Super Bowl VII, the Redskins were the [[Super Bowl#Home team designation|designated home team]]. However, the Redskins chose to wear their white jerseys and burgundy pants for the game; in their previous Super Bowl loss to Miami, the Redskins were required to wear their burgundy and gold uniforms as the home team. Washington became the second team after the [[1978 Dallas Cowboys season|1978 Dallas Cowboys]] to wear white as the home team in a Super Bowl. The Dolphins wore their aqua jerseys and white pants.