December 31, 1994. Wildcard game. Chiefs vs Dolphins. Montana’s final game. The last time Joe Montana ever played against Dan Marino. Dolphins 27 Chiefs 17 Montana: 26 of 37 for 314 yards 2 TDs 1 INT Marino: 22 of 29 for 257 yards 2 TDs 0 INTs Marino sent Montana into retirement. If Marino had those teams Montana had in his career, Marino would have 5-6 rings Marino > Montana as a QB Credit: Cutno Hunter….
Joe Montana and Dan Marino, two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, faced off for the final time on December 31, 1994, in a Wild Card playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins. This matchup marked the end of Montana’s legendary career and was Marino’s last victory over him. The Dolphins defeated the Chiefs 27-17, sending Montana into retirement and closing the book on one of the most intriguing quarterback rivalries in football history.
Montana, known for his clutch performances and ability to win championships, finished the game with 26 completions on 37 attempts for 314 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Marino, famous for his quick release and prolific passing ability, was slightly more efficient, completing 22 of 29 passes for 257 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions. While both quarterbacks played well, it was Marino who walked away with the victory and continued his career, while Montana exited the NFL for good.
This game serves as an important reminder that football is a team sport. While Montana won four Super Bowls and is widely considered one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, Marino was arguably the more talented passer. Marino revolutionized the quarterback position with his ability to throw from the pocket, release the ball quickly, and put up staggering passing numbers in an era when defenses were much more physical with receivers. His 1984 season, in which he threw for 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns, stood as the gold standard for over two decades.
However, Marino never had the benefit of playing on dominant, well-rounded teams like Montana did. The San Francisco 49ers of the 1980s were a dynasty, built with Hall of Fame talent on both sides of the ball, including Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, and a stellar defense. Meanwhile, Marino played the majority of his career with subpar defenses and an inconsistent running game, forcing the Dolphins to rely almost entirely on his arm. Despite this, Marino consistently kept Miami competitive and put up record-breaking numbers.
Had Marino been surrounded by the kind of talent that Montana had in San Francisco, it’s not unreasonable to think he could have won five or six Super Bowls. His ability to elevate an offense was unmatched, and with a great supporting cast, he would have been nearly unstoppable. Montana, on the other hand, was the ultimate system quarterback—perfectly suited for Bill Walsh’s West Coast offense and capable of executing in high-pressure moments. While he deserves credit for his leadership and poise, he was never the pure passer that Marino was.
In the end, football legacies are often defined by rings, and Montana has four while Marino has none. But if evaluating quarterbacks strictly by skill, arm talent, and ability to carry a team, Marino was the superior player. The 1994 Wild Card game was a symbolic moment: the last meeting between two all-time greats, with Marino coming out on top, proving one last time that he could go toe-to-toe with Montana—even if history would ultimately favor the quarterback with more championships.
