NFL game summary for 12/15/1974:
Mack Herron set the NFL record for combined net yardage with 2,444 yards on runs (824), receptions (474), kickoff returns (629) and punt returns (517), breaking the old mark set by Gale Sayers of Chicago in 1966. Although the Patriots rolled to an early 24-0 lead, the playoff-bound Dolphins came back to win with backup quarterback Earl Morrall throwing two touchdown passes to rookie Melvin Baker and Don Nottingham scoring twice. Bob Griese, Larry Csonka and several other Dolphin regulars did not play.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 155.4 (5) | 163.2 (9) | 318.5 (6) | 35 |
| DEFENSE | 117.4 (8) | 169.8 (20) | 287.2 (13) | 34 | |
 | OFFENSE | 163.8 (4) | 141.7 (18) | 305.5 (11) | 27 |
| DEFENSE | 116.2 (6) | 151.0 (14) | 267.2 (9) | 30 |
Line: Dolphins by 8
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots (7-7-0) | 21 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 27 |
| Miami Dolphins (11-3-0) | 0 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 34 |
( 7- 0) NE John Hannah 0 yard fumble return (John Smith kick)
(14- 0) NE John Sanders 23 yard interception return (John Smith kick)
(21- 0) NE Mack Herron 4 yard pass from Jim Plunkett (John Smith kick)
(24- 0) NE John Smith 46 yard field goal
(24- 7) MIA Don Nottingham 1 yard rush (Garo Yepremian kick)
(24-14) MIA Melvin Baker 37 yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick)
(24-17) MIA Garo Yepremian 28 yard field goal
(24-24) MIA Melvin Baker 46 yard pass from Earl Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick)
(27-24) NE John Smith 34 yard field goal
(27-31) MIA Don Nottingham 2 yard rush (Garo Yepremian kick)
(27-34) MIA Garo Yepremian 40 yard field goal
NE MIA
First Downs: 18 18
Rushes-yards: 30-114 33-61
Yards/rush: 3.8 1.8
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 15-41-234-0 15-23-288-3
Sacked-yards: 1-15 3-16
Net pass yards: 219 272
Net yards/pass: 5.2 10.5
Total net yards: 333 333
Total plays: 72 (41% run) 59 (55% run)
Yards/play: 4.6 5.6
Fumbles-lost: 6-3 3-1
Turnovers: 3 4
Penalties-yards: 9-89 6-30
Attendance: 56,920
Passing:
NE: Jim Plunkett, 15 of 41 for 234 yards and 1 TD MIA: Earl Morrall, 15 of 23 for 288 yards and 2 TDs (3 int)
Rushing:
NE: Mack Herron, 14 for 56 yards; Joe Wilson, 14 for 55 yards; John Tarver, 1 for 3 yards; Jim Plunkett, 1 for 0 yards MIA: Don Nottingham, 15 for 41 yards and 2 TDs; Benny Malone, 14 for -3 yards; Earl Morrall, 1 for 11 yards; Jim Kiick, 1 for 5 yards; Nat Moore, 1 for 4 yards; Hubert Ginn, 1 for 3 yards
Receiving:
NE: Mack Herron, 5 for 68 yards and 1 TD; Joe Wilson, 3 for 38 yards; Randy Vataha, 2 for 44 yards; Eddie Hinton, 2 for 36 yards; Andy Johnson, 2 for 28 yards; Bob Adams, 1 for 20 yards MIA: Melvin Baker, 4 for 121 yards and 2 TDs; Nat Moore, 4 for 81 yards; Don Nottingham, 3 for 40 yards; Jim Mandich, 2 for 27 yards; Howard Twilley, 1 for 16 yards; Hubert Ginn, 1 for 3 yards
Kick returns:
NE: Andy Johnson, 3 for 27 yards; John Tanner, 2 for 17 yards; Mack Herron, 1 for 17 yards MIA: Hubert Ginn, 3 for 48 yards; Benny Malone, 2 for 82 yards
Punt returns:
NE: Mack Herron, 4 for 44 yards MIA: Nat Moore, 2 for 49 yards; Jake Scott, 2 for 4 yards; Dick Anderson, 1 for 0 yards
Interceptions:
NE: John Sanders, 2 for 23 yards and 1 TD; Prentice McCray, 1 for 28 yards
Punting:
NE: Dave Chapple, 6 for 254 yards MIA: Larry Seiple, 6 for 239 yards
Field Goals:
NE: John Smith, 2/2 MIA: Garo Yepremian, 2/2
NE: Jim Plunkett, 15 of 41 for 234 yards and 1 TD MIA: Earl Morrall, 15 of 23 for 288 yards and 2 TDs (3 int)
Rushing:
NE: Mack Herron, 14 for 56 yards; Joe Wilson, 14 for 55 yards; John Tarver, 1 for 3 yards; Jim Plunkett, 1 for 0 yards MIA: Don Nottingham, 15 for 41 yards and 2 TDs; Benny Malone, 14 for -3 yards; Earl Morrall, 1 for 11 yards; Jim Kiick, 1 for 5 yards; Nat Moore, 1 for 4 yards; Hubert Ginn, 1 for 3 yards
Receiving:
NE: Mack Herron, 5 for 68 yards and 1 TD; Joe Wilson, 3 for 38 yards; Randy Vataha, 2 for 44 yards; Eddie Hinton, 2 for 36 yards; Andy Johnson, 2 for 28 yards; Bob Adams, 1 for 20 yards MIA: Melvin Baker, 4 for 121 yards and 2 TDs; Nat Moore, 4 for 81 yards; Don Nottingham, 3 for 40 yards; Jim Mandich, 2 for 27 yards; Howard Twilley, 1 for 16 yards; Hubert Ginn, 1 for 3 yards
Kick returns:
NE: Andy Johnson, 3 for 27 yards; John Tanner, 2 for 17 yards; Mack Herron, 1 for 17 yards MIA: Hubert Ginn, 3 for 48 yards; Benny Malone, 2 for 82 yards
Punt returns:
NE: Mack Herron, 4 for 44 yards MIA: Nat Moore, 2 for 49 yards; Jake Scott, 2 for 4 yards; Dick Anderson, 1 for 0 yards
Interceptions:
NE: John Sanders, 2 for 23 yards and 1 TD; Prentice McCray, 1 for 28 yards
Punting:
NE: Dave Chapple, 6 for 254 yards MIA: Larry Seiple, 6 for 239 yards
Field Goals:
NE: John Smith, 2/2 MIA: Garo Yepremian, 2/2