1982 Miami Dolphins season Regular season . The Dolphins finished the strike - shortened regular season with a 7 – 2 record , ranking them second in the AFC . The Dolphins ' main strength was their defense , nicknamed the " Killer Bees " because 6 of their 11 starters had last names that began with the letter " B " . The " Killer Bees " , anchored by Pro Bowl defensive tackle Bob Baumhower , led the league in fewest total yards allowed ( 2 , 312 ) and fewest passing yards allowed ( 1 , 027 ) . Linebacker A . J . Duhe was extremely effective at blitzing and in pass coverage . And the Dolphins secondary , consisting of defensive backs Don McNeal , Gerald Small and brothers Lyle and Glenn Blackwood , combined for 11 interceptions . However , the Dolphins ' passing attack , led by quarterback David Woodley , ranked last in the league with 1 , 401 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 off just 17 receptions , an average of 20 . 9 yards per catch . Wide receiver Duriel Harris also provided a deep threat with 22 receptions for 331 yards . But Miami ' s strength on offense was their running game , ranking 3rd in the league with 1 , 344 yards . Pro Bowl running back Andra Franklin was the team ' s top rusher with 701 yards and 7 touchdowns . Running back Tony Nathan rushed for 233 yards , and caught 16 passes for another 114 yards . Woodley himself also recorded 207 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns . One reason for the Dolphins ' rushing success was the blocking of their offensive line , led by future hall of fame center Dwight Stephenson , along with Pro Bowlers Bob Kuechenberg and Ed Newman . Snowplow Game . In National Football League lore , the Snowplow Game refers to a regular - season game played between the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots on December 12 , 1982 . Playing in a heavy snowstorm at New England ' s Schaefer Stadium in Foxborough , Massachusetts , the two teams remained scoreless late into the fourth quarter . With 4 : 45 left to go in the game and on - field conditions worsening , Patriots coach Ron Meyer summoned Mark Henderson , who was a convict on a work release program , and was the stadium ' s snowplow operator that afternoon – and in the face of furious protests from Miami coach Don Shula – was directed to veer off course and clear a spot on the field for placekicker John Smith , with Matt Cavanaugh putting down the hold . The kick was good and the Patriots took a 3 – 0 lead into the final minutes of the game . The Rest of the Story What is often left untold is what happened after John Smith kicked the go - ahead field goal . Despite the snowy conditions , the Dolphins methodically marched down the field on the strength of their running backs Andra Franklin and Tony Nathan and Quarterback David Woodley . With about a minute left in the game , and well within field goal range , the Dolphins faced a 4th down . Mark Henderson had driven his John Deere tractor down to that side of the field and was ready at motion from the referee , to go out on the field and clear a path for Dolphins Kicker Uwe von Schamann . Shula decided to go for the first down instead of a tying field goal . The Patriots stopped the Dolphins , took over on downs and the rest is history . Henderson was released from prison a few years after the game , and currently works in the construction business . Henderson ' s plow was actually a John Deere Model 314 tractor with a sweeper attached . When he was being interviewed by a TV reporter about the controversy , Henderson jokingly replied , " What are they gonna do , throw me in jail ? " Smith ' s subsequent field goal gave the Patriots a 3 – 0 lead that held until the final gun . The game ball was awarded to all - pro linebacker Steve Nelson , who subsequently donated it to his alma mater , North Dakota State University . Henderson also received a game ball from a gracious Meyer after the game . The following year , the NFL banned the use of snowplows on the field during a game . The moment will be an interactive feature of the new Hall at Patriot Place when it opens in 2008 next to Gillette Stadium . Postseason . Super Bowl XVII . " at Rose Bowl ( stadium ) , Pasadena , California " Awards and honors . Pro Bowl players FB Andra Franklin , NT Bob Baumhower