NFL game summary for 01/13/1974:

For the Vikings, the game marked their second Super Bowl, their second loss, and the second time they were held to a single touchdown. Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton actually passed for more than twice the yardage gained by the Dolphins' Bob Griese, but he didn't have Miami's rushing attack to control the game. Griese threw only seven passes in the game, but he completed six. Game MVP Larry Csonka smashed for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries to exactly double the rushing yardage of the entire Minnesota backfield.

The Dolphins took the opening kickoff 62 yards to a five-yard touchdown smash by Csonka. Minnesota was three downs and out. Miami came right back with a 56-yard drive for another touchdown. This time Jim Kiick did the honors with a one-yard plunge. Early in the second quarter, Miami marched down the field again. The drive culminated in a 28-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian.

Trailing 17-0, Minnesota finally put its offense in gear. Paced by four Tarkenton pass completions good for 66 yards, the Vikings went 74 yards only to lose the ball when Oscar Reed fumbled on a fourth-and-one at the Miami six. Minnesota opened the second half with John Gilliam's 65-yard kickoff return, but the play was called back by a Viking clip. When the Dolphins got the ball, they cemented their lead with a drive from midfield that saw Csonka score on a two-yard smash.

The Vikings' only score came early in the final quarter. Tarkenton's four-yard run finished off a drive from the Minnesota 43. Although it was much too late, Minnesota put together another strong drive in the quarter. It was foiled by Curtis Johnson's interception at the Miami goal line. The Dolphins used their ground game to hold the ball for the final 6:24 of the game.

Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):

Team		Rush Yds/Gm	Pass Yds/Gm	Tot Yds/Gm	Turnovers
	OFFENSE	162.5  (6)	139.7  (14)	302.2  (7)	26
	DEFENSE	141.0  (11)	135.3  (12)	276.3  (11)	36
	OFFENSE	180.1  (3)	113.0  (21)	293.1  (10)	28
	DEFENSE	142.2  (12)	92.1  (1)	234.4  (3)	29

Line: Dolphins by 6½

Team	1	2	3	4	F
Minnesota Vikings (14-3-0)	0	0	0	7	7
Miami Dolphins (15-2-0)	14	3	7	0	24

                     MIN             MIA
First Downs:         14              21
Rushes-yards:        24-72           53-196
Yards/rush:          3.0             3.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT:     18-28-182-1     6-7-73-0
Sacked-yards:        2-16            1-10
Net pass yards:      166             63
Net yards/pass:      5.5             7.9
Total net yards:     238             259
Total plays:         54 (44% run)    61 (86% run)  
Yards/play:          4.4             4.2
Fumbles-lost:        2-1             1-0
Turnovers:           2               0
Penalties-yards:     7-65            1-4

Attendance: 68,142