Editing Super Bowl VIII (section)

===Playoffs===
{{Further|1973–74 NFL playoffs}}

The Vikings earned their second appearance in the Super Bowl after defeating the [[Wild card (sports)|wild card]] [[1973 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]], 27–20, and the NFC East champion [[Dallas Cowboys]], 27–10, in the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings - December 22nd, 1973 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312220min.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys - December 30th, 1973 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312300dal.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Meanwhile, the Dolphins defeated the AFC Central champion [[1973 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] 34–16 in the divisional round, and the AFC West Champion [[1973 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]], 27–10 for the AFC Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins - December 23rd, 1973 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312230mia.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins - December 30th, 1973 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312300mia.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> The Dolphins were the first team to appear in three consecutive Super Bowls.  Just as in the regular season, Miami relied primarily on their run game in the playoffs, racking up 241 rushing yards against Cincinnati and 266 vs the Raiders.  The ground game was particularly crucial against Oakland, as it enabled them to win despite completing just 3 of 6 passes for 34 yards in the game.