The 1973 Green Bay Packers - 5-7-2 (3RD - Central Division)
Head Coach: Dan Devine
1973 PRE-SEASON RESULTS (3-2-1)
OFF DEF
AUGUST (3-0-1) RESULT RECORD ATT RSH PSS RSH PSS STARTING QB LEADING RUSHER LEADING PASSER LEADING RECEIVER
4 M-CHICAGO BEARS T 13-13 0- 0-1 47,222 Scott Hunter MacArthur Lane (42) Scott Hunter (68) Rich McGeorge (2-20)
11 G-BUFFALO BILLS W 10- 3 1- 0-1 56,267 Jerry Tagge MacArthur Lane (60) Scott Hunter (35) Len Garrett (2-26)
18 M-HOUSTON OILERS W 33-14 2- 0-1 47,302 Scott Hunter Don Highsmith (73) Scott Hunter (107) Jon Staggers (2-58)
26 at Kansas City Chiefs W 21-16 3- 0-1 75,231 Jerry Tagge MacArthur Lane (60) Jerry Tagge (59) Rich McGeorge (2-26)
SEPTEMBER (0-2)
1 G-PITTSBURGH STEELERS L 22-30 3- 1-1 56,267 Scott Hunter Don Highsmith (35) Jim Del Gaizo (76) Barry Smith (4-53)
8 at Cincinnati Bengals L 10-13 3- 2-1 55,863 Scott Hunter John Brockington (60) Scott Hunter (78) MacArthur Lane (4-16)
1973 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS
SEPTEMBER (1-1-1)
17 M-NEW YORK JETS (0-0) W 23- 7 1- 0-0 47,124 155 98 69 200 Scott Hunter John Brockington (73) Scott Hunter (107) MacArthur Lane (2-32)
23 G-DETROIT LIONS (0-1) T 13-13 1- 0-1 55,495 176 101 110 82 Scott Hunter John Brockington (118) Scott Hunter (80) Barry Smith (4-72)
30 at Minnesota Vikings (2-0) L 3-11 1- 1-1 48,176 90 70 206 78 Jim Del Gaizo John Brockington (58) Scott Hunter (44) MacArthur Lane (3-36)
OCTOBER (1-2-1)
7 at New York Giants (1-1-1) W 16-14 2- 1-1 70,050 125 75 57 174 Jim Del Gaizo John Brockington (71) Scott Hunter (86) MacArthur Lane (3-43)
14 M-KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-1) T 10-10 2- 1-2 46,583 169 146 96 53 Scott Hunter John Brockington (106) Jim Del Gaizo (89) MacArthur Lane (4-38)
21 at Los Angeles Rams (5-0) L 7-24 2- 2-2 80,558 35 28 244 134 Scott Hunter John Brockington (18) Scott Hunter (48) Jon Staggers (2-30)
28 at Detroit Lions (1-4-1) L 0-34 2- 3-2 43,616 60 3 263 66 Jim Del Gaizo John Brockington (33) Jim Del Gaizo (33) Leland Glass (2-18)
NOVEMBER (1-3)
4 G-CHICAGO BEARS (2-5) L 17-31 2- 4-2 53,231 110 -12 230 107 Scott Hunter John Brockington (66) Scott Hunter (17) MacArthur Lane (3-17)
11 G-ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (3-4-1) W 25-21 3- 4-2 52,922 243 62 71 187 Jerry Tagge John Brockington (137) Jerry Tagge (67) Jon Staggers (3-30)
18 at New England Patriots (2-7) L 24-33 3- 5-2 60,525 75 263 116 340 Jerry Tagge Brockington/Williams (35)Jerry Tagge (267) Jon Staggers (4-87)
26 at San Francisco 49ers (3-7) L 6-20 3- 6-2 49,244 131 124 174 94 Jerry Tagge John Brockington (89) Jerry Tagge (107) Rich McGeorge (2-41)
DECEMBER (2-1)
2 M-NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (4-7) W 30-10 4- 6-2 46,092 154 105 100 156 Jerry Tagge John Brockington (74) Jerry Tagge (109) MacArthur Lane (4-41)
8 G-MINNESOTA VIKINGS (10-2) L 7-31 4- 7-2 53,830 152 148 138 83 Jerry Tagge John Brockington (124) Jerry Tagge (98) Barry Smith (4-55)
16 at Chicago Bears (3-10) W 21- 0 5- 7-2 29,157 298 72 125 68 Jerry Tagge John Brockington (142) Jerry Tagge (72) Jon Staggers (3-72)
G - Green Bay M - Milwaukee
1973 IN REVIEW
Any possibility that the Green Bay Packers would repeat as Central Division champions ended abruptly during a three-game stretch that left the team shaken and searching for answers. The club, unfortunately, did not address many of the problems down the stretch and stumbled to a 5-7-2 record and a third-place finish in the division. After hovering in second place for most of the first five weeks, the Packers were thrashed by the Rams, Lions and Bears in consecutive weeks. The Rams' Fred Dryer overpowered Malcolm Snider to register two fourth quarter safeties in the Rams' 24-7 win, and quarterback Bobby Douglass ran for 100 yards and four touchdowns in the Bears' 31-17 triumph. In between, the Lions tossed a 34-0 shutout for good measure.
THE QUARTERBACKING CAROUSEL OF 1973
To say the Packers had a hard hill to climb in repeating as division champs would be an understatement when examining the quarterbacking situation. Green Bay would use three starters during the season, and none of them would throw more than two touchdowns passes. Scott Hunter would be given the first shot at leading the team. Coming off a division title, Hunter was expected to mature into Bart Starr's legitimate successor. He started the first two games of the season, a win over the Saints and a tie with the Lions. He completed 12 of 25 passes with one touchdown. Head coach Dan Devine showed his short leash, by pulling Hunter in the second half of the Lions' game and putting in Jim Del Gaizo. The team had sent two second round picks to Miami for the promising prospect. Apparently, Devine saw enough to tab Del Gaizo as the starter for Week Three. Against Minnesota, Del Gaizo went 4-for-14 before Hunter was put back in an 11-3 loss. The following week, Del Gaizo started against the Giants and completed one of four passes for minus-four years. Hunter came in and went 6-for-7 to lead the Packers to a 16-14 win. Hunter won the starting spot back for the next two weeks. He was 6-for-11 against the Cbiefs, before Del Gaizo came back in. He tossed a 26-yard touchdown to Jon Staggers, but was also intercepted twice in a 10-10 tie. The next week, Hunter was a dismal 4-for-10 with an interception as the Rams routed the Packers, 24-7. Devine took one more shot with Del Gaizo, and the results were disastrous. With the team clinging to its playoff hopes (2-2-2), Del Gaizo was 5-for-9 before suffering a shoulder injury in the third quarter. Hunter came on and completed only one of ten attempts for minus-four yards and one interception. Detroit would roll, 34-0, and Del Gaizo would be out for a month. Hunter would be given one more start, on November 4 against the Bears. His numbers were atrocious, as he completed only three of 15 passes for 17 yards. He did throw a 5-yard touchdown to MacArthur Lane in a 31-17 loss. Hunter and Del Gaizo would never start again in Green Bay. Jerry Tagge was given the starts down the stretch, going 3-3 as the season slipped away. He would start the first six games of 1974, before the John Hadl era began.
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR AG G HOW ACQUIRED
Hise Austin 27 CB 6- 4 195 Prairie View 1 1 22 9 1973 Draft-8th round
Ken Bowman 57 C 6- 3 245 Wisconsin 10 10 30 14 1964 Draft-8th round
Kent Branstetter 71 T 6- 3 260 Houston 1 1 24 9 1973 FA
John Brockington 42 RB 6- 1 230 Ohio State 3 3 24 14 1971 Draft-1st round
Aaron Brown 74 DE 6- 5 270 Minnesota 1 7 29 8 1973 Trade-Kan City
Bob Brown 78 DE 6- 5 280 Ark-Pine Bluff 8 8 33 14 1966 FA
Willie Buchanon 28 CB 6- 0 190 San Diego State 2 2 22 6 1972 Draft-1st round
Fred Carr 53 LB 6- 5 240 Texas-El Paso 6 6 27 14 1968 Draft-1st round
Jim Carter 50 LB 6- 3 245 Minnesota 4 4 24 14 1970 Draft-3rd round
Jim Del Gaizo 12 QB 6- 1 198 Tampa 1 2 26 8 1973 Trade-Miami
Mike Donohoe 86 TE 6- 3 230 San Francisco 1 4 28 13 1973 FA-Atl (1971)
Ken Ellis 48 CB 5-10 195 Southern 4 4 25 14 1970 Draft-4th round
Len Garrett 88 TE 6- 3 230 N.Mex Highlands 3 3 25 2 1971 Draft-15th round
Gale Gillingham 68 G 6- 3 265 Minnesota 8 8 29 14 1966 Draft-1st round
Leland Glass 46 WR 6- 0 185 Oregon 2 2 22 12 1972 Draft-8th round
Les Goodman 25 RB 5-11 206 Yankton 1 1 23 6 1973 FA
Dick Gordon 85 WR 5-11 190 Michigan State 1 9 29 2 1973 FA-Los Angeles
Charlie Hall 21 CB 6- 1 190 Pittsburgh 3 3 25 13 1971 Draft-3rd round
Bill Hayhoe 77 T 6- 8 260 USC 5 5 26 6 1969 Draft-5th round
Larry Hefner 51 LB 6- 2 230 Clemson 2 2 24 14 1972 Draft-14th round
Don Highsmith 32 RB 6- 0 200 Michigan State 1 4 25 7 1973 Trade-Oakland
Jim Hill 39 S 6- 2 195 Texas A&I 2 5 26 13 1972 Trade-San Diego
Dick Himes 72 T 6- 4 260 Ohio State 6 6 27 14 1968 Draft-3rd round
Scott Hunter 16 QB 6- 2 210 Alabama 3 3 25 8 1971 Draft-6th round
Noel Jenke 55 LB 6- 1 225 Minnesota 1 3 25 2 1973 FA-Atlanta (1972)
Larry Krause 30 RB 6- 0 208 St. Norbert 3 3 25 14 1970 Draft-17th round
MacArthur Lane 36 RB 6- 1 220 Utah State 2 6 31 13 1972 Trade-St. Louis
Bill Lueck 62 G 6- 3 235 Arizona 6 6 27 14 1968 Draft-1st round
Chester Marcol 13 K 6- 0 190 Hillsdale 2 2 23 14 1972 Draft-2nd round
Al Matthews 29 DB 5-11 190 Texas A&I 4 4 25 14 1970 Draft-2nd round
Tom MacLeod 56 LB 6- 3 235 Minnesota 1 1 22 11 1973 Draft-3rd round
Ron McBride 24 RB 6- 0 200 Missouri 1 1 24 1 1973 FA
Larry McCarren 54 C 6- 3 240 Illinois 1 1 21 5 1973 Draft-12th round
Mike McCoy 76 DT 6- 5 285 Notre Dame 4 4 24 14 1970 Draft-1st round
Rich McGeorge 81 TE 6- 4 230 Elon 4 4 24 14 1970 Draft-1st round
Carleton Oats 73 DT 6- 3 260 Florida A&M 1 9 31 8 1973 Trade-Oakland
Dave Pureifory 75 DE 6- 1 250 E. Michigan 2 2 24 13 1972 Draft-6th round
NAME NO POS HGT WGT COLLEGE YR PR AG G HOW ACQUIRED
Alden Roche 87 DE 6- 4 255 Southern 3 4 28 13 1971 Trade-Denver
Barry Smith 80 WR 6- 1 190 Florida State 1 1 22 14 1973 Draft-1st round
Perry Smith 45 CB 6- 1 195 Colorado State 1 1 22 8 1973 FA-Oakland
Malcolm Snider 67 G 6- 4 250 Stanford 2 5 26 14 1972 Trade-Atlanta
Jon Staggers 22 WR 5-10 180 Missouri 2 4 24 14 1972 FA-Pitt (1971)
Paul Staroba 85 WR 6- 3 204 Michigan 1 2 24 2 1973 FA-Washington
Jerry Tagge 17 QB 6- 2 215 Nebraska 2 2 23 7 1972 Draft-1st round
Ike Thomas 37 CB 6- 2 195 Bishop 2 3 25 13 1972 Trade-Dallas
Tom Toner 59 LB 6- 3 235 Idaho State 1 1 23 14 1973 Draft-6th round
Ron Widby 20 P 6- 4 220 Tennessee 2 6 28 12 1972 Trade-Dallas
Clarence Williams 83 DE 6- 5 255 Prairie View 4 4 26 14 1970 Trade-Dallas
Perry Williams 31 RB 6- 2 225 Purdue 5 5 26 14 1969 Draft-4th round
Cal Withrow 74 C 6- 0 230 Kentucky 3 4 28 14 1971 Trade-San Diego
Keith Wortman 65 G 6- 2 250 Nebraska 2 2 23 8 1972 Draft-10th round
NO - Jersey Number POS - Position HGT - Height WGT - Weight YR - Years with Packers PR - Years of Professional Football AGE - Age on September 1 G - Games Played FA - Free Agent
1973 PACKERS DRAFT (January 30-31, 1973)
RND-PICK NAME POS COLLEGE
1 - 21 Barry Smith WR Florida State
2 - 46 Traded to Dallas in Ike Thomas/Ron Widby trade
3 - 74 Tom MacLeod LB Minnesota
4 - 99 Traded to Los Angeles in Tommy Crutcher trade
5 - 124 Traded to Oakland in Carleton Oats trade
6 - 152 Tom Toner LB Idaho State
7 - 177 John Muller G/T Iowa
8 - 202 Hise Austin DB/WR Prairie View
9 - 230 Rick Brown LB South Carolina
10 - 255 Larry Allen S/LB Illinois
11 - 280 Phil Engle G South Dakota State
12 - 308 Larry McCarren C Illinois
13 - 333 Tim Alderson S Minnesota
14 - 358 Jim Anderson DT Northwestern
15 - 386 Reg Echols WR UCLA
16 - 411 Keith Pretty TE Western Michigan
17 - 436 Harold Sampson DT Southern
1973 PACKER TRADES - TRANSACTIONS
JAN 25 - Traded DT Vern Vanoy and a 1973 5th-round draft choice to OAKLAND for DT Carleton Oats
JAN 30 - Traded OT Francis Peay to KANSAS CITY for DE Aaron Brown
JAN 30 - Traded LB Dave Robinson to WASHINGTON for a 1975 2nd-round draft choice
JUL 13 - Traded RB Bob Hudson to OAKLAND for RB Don Highsmith. Sold RB Demery Brandon to OAKLAND.
AUG 22 - Traded a 1974 2nd-round draft choice and a 1975 2nd-round draft choice to MIAMI for QB Jim Del Gaizo
SEPT 25 - Traded TE Len Garrett to NEW ORLEANS for a 1974 8th-round draft choice
The 1973 YEAR IN FOOTBALL
Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
Head Coach: Tom Landry
Passing Leader: Roger Staubach (2428)
Rushing Leader: Calvin Hill (1142)
Receiving Leader: Calvin Hill (32-290)
Washington Redskins (10-4)
Head Coach: George Allen
Passing Leader: Billy Kilmer (1656)
Rushing Leader: Larry Brown (860)
Receiving Leader: Charley Taylor (59-801)
Philadelphia Eagles (5-8-1)
Head Coach: Mike McCormack
Passing Leader: Roman Gabriel (3219)
Rushing Leader: Tom Sullivan (968)
Receiving Leader: Harold Carmichael (67-1116)
St. Louis Cardinals (4-9-1)
Head Coach: Don Coryell
Passing Leader: Jim Hart (2223)
Rushing Leader: Donny Anderson (679)
Receiving Leader: Jackie Smith (41-600)/Donny Anderson (41-409)
New York Giants (2-11-1)
Head Coach: Alex Webster
Passing Leader: Norm Snead (1483)
Rushing Leader: Ron Johnson (902)
Receiving Leader: Bob Tucker (50-681)
Minnesota Vikings (12-2)
Head Coach: Bud Grant
Passing Leader: Fran Tarkenton (2113)
Rushing Leader: Chuck Foreman (801)
Receiving Leader: John Gilliam (42-907)
Detroit Lions (6-7-1)
Head Coach: Don McCafferty
Passing Leader: Bill Munson (1129)
Rushing Leader: Altie Taylor (719)
Receiving Leader: Charlie Sanders (28-433)
Green Bay Packers (5-7-2)
Head Coach: Dan Devine
Passing Leader: Jerry Tagge (720)
Rushing Leader: John Brockington (1144)
Receiving Leader: MacArthur Lane (27-255)
Chicago Bears (3-11)
Head Coach: Abe Gibron
Passing Leader: Bobby Douglass (1057)
Rushing Leader: Carl Garrett (655)
Receiving Leader: Earl Thomas (24-343)
Los Angeles Rams (12-2)
Head Coach: Chuck Knox
Passing Leader: John Hadl (2008)
Rushing Leader: Lawrence McCutcheon (1097)
Receiving Leader: Harold Jackson (40-874)
Atlanta Falcons (9-5)
Head Coach: Norm Van Brocklin
Passing Leader: Bob Lee (1786)
Rushing Leader: Dave Hampton (997)
Receiving Leader: Jim Mitchell (32-420)
New Orleans Saints (5-9)
Head Coach: John North
Passing Leader: Archie Manning (1642)
Rushing Leader: Jess Phillips (663)
Receiving Leader: John Beasley (31-280)
San Francisco 49ers (5-9)
Head Coach: Dick Nolan
Passing Leader: John Brodie (1126)
Rushing Leader: Vic Washington (534)
Receiving Leader: Ted Kwalick (47-729)
NOTE : New York Giants games were played in New Haven, Connecticut
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16
Buffalo 31, NEW ENGLAND 13 Atlanta 62, NEW ORLEANS 7
Dallas 20, CHICAGO 17 CLEVELAND 24, Baltimore 14
MINNESOTA 24, Oakland 16 DENVER 28, Cincinnati 10
Los Angeles 23, KANSAS CITY 13 NY GIANTS 34, Houston 14
MIAMI 21, San Francisco 13 WASHINGTON 38, San Diego 0
St. Louis 34, PHILADELPHIA 23 PITTSBURGH 24, Detroit 10
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 17
Green Bay 23, NY Jets 7 at Milwaukee
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Miami 1 0 0 1.000 21 13 Dallas 1 0 0 1.000 20 17
Buffalo 1 0 0 1.000 31 13 St. Louis 1 0 0 1.000 34 23
Baltimore 0 1 0 .000 14 24 Washington 1 0 0 1.000 38 0
New England 0 1 0 .000 13 31 NY Giants 1 0 0 1.000 34 14
NY Jets 0 1 0 .000 7 23 Philadelphia 0 1 0 .000 23 34
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 1 0 0 1.000 24 10 GREEN BAY 1 0 0 1.000 23 7
Cleveland 1 0 0 1.000 24 14 Minnesota 1 0 0 1.000 24 16
Cincinnati 0 1 0 .000 10 28 Detroit 0 1 0 .000 10 24
Houston 0 1 0 .000 14 34 Chicago 0 1 0 .000 17 20
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Denver 1 0 0 1.000 28 10 Atlanta 1 0 0 1.000 62 7
Oakland 0 1 0 .000 16 24 Los Angeles 1 0 0 1.000 23 13
Kansas City 0 1 0 .000 13 23 San Francisco 0 1 0 .000 13 21
San Diego 0 1 0 .000 0 38 New Orleans 0 1 0 .000 7 62
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23
SAN DIEGO 34, Buffalo 7 LOS ANGELES 31, Atlanta 0
NY Jets 34, BALTIMORE 10 GREEN BAY 13, Detroit 13 (T)
NY GIANTS 23, Philadelphia 23 (T) Kansas City 10, NEW ENGLAND 7
San Francisco 36, DENVER 34 PITTSBURGH 33, Cleveland 6
ST. LOUIS 34, Washington 27 CINCINNATI 24, Houston 10
OAKLAND 12, Miami 7 Minnesota 22, CHICAGO 13
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24
DALLAS 40, New Orleans 3
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Miami 1 1 0 .500 28 25 Dallas 2 0 0 1.000 60 20
Buffalo 1 1 0 .500 38 47 St. Louis 2 0 0 1.000 68 50
NY Jets 1 1 0 .500 41 33 NY Giants 1 0 1 .750 57 37
New England 0 2 0 .000 20 41 Washington 1 1 0 .500 65 34
Baltimore 0 2 0 .000 24 58 Philadelphia 0 1 1 .250 46 57
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 2 0 0 1.000 57 16 Minnesota 2 0 0 1.000 46 29
Cleveland 1 1 0 .500 30 47 Detroit 1 0 1 .750 23 37
Cincinnati 1 1 0 .500 34 38 GREEN BAY 1 0 1 .750 36 20
Houston 0 2 0 .000 24 58 Chicago 0 2 0 .000 30 42
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Oakland 1 1 0 .500 28 31 Los Angeles 2 0 0 1.000 54 13
Denver 1 1 0 .500 62 46 Atlanta 1 1 0 .500 62 38
Kansas City 1 1 0 .500 23 30 San Francisco 1 1 0 .500 49 55
San Diego 1 1 0 .500 34 45 New Orleans 0 2 0 .000 10 102
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 30
Cincinnati 20, SAN DIEGO 13 Chicago 33, DENVER 14
BUFFALO 9, NY Jets 7 MINNESOTA 11, Green Bay 3
MIAMI 44, New England 23 BALTIMORE 14, New Orleans 10
Pittsburgh 36, HOUSTON 7 CLEVELAND 12, NY Giants 10
Los Angeles 40, SAN FRANCISCO 20 KANSAS CITY 16, Oakland 3
Washington 28, PHILADELPHIA 7 DALLAS 45, St. Louis 10
MONDAY OCTOBER 1
DETROIT 31, Atlanta 6
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Miami 2 1 0 .667 72 48 Dallas 3 0 0 1.000 105 30
Buffalo 2 1 0 .667 47 54 St. Louis 2 1 0 .667 78 95
NY Jets 1 2 0 .333 48 42 Washington 2 1 0 .667 93 41
Baltimore 1 2 0 .333 38 68 NY Giants 1 1 1 .500 67 49
New England 0 3 0 .000 43 85 Philadelphia 0 2 1 .167 53 85
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 3 0 0 1.000 93 23 Minnesota 3 0 0 1.000 57 32
Cleveland 2 1 0 .667 42 57 Detroit 2 0 1 .833 54 43
Cincinnati 2 1 0 .667 54 51 GREEN BAY 1 1 1 .500 39 31
Houston 0 3 0 .000 31 94 Chicago 1 2 0 .333 63 66
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Kansas City 2 1 0 .667 39 33 Los Angeles 3 0 0 1.000 94 33
Oakland 1 2 0 .333 31 47 Atlanta 1 2 0 .333 68 69
Denver 1 2 0 .333 76 79 San Francisco 1 2 0 .333 69 95
San Diego 1 2 0 .333 47 65 New Orleans 0 3 0 .000 20 116
SUNDAY OCTOBER 7
Green Bay 16, NY Giants 14 Minnesota 23, DETROIT 9
BUFFALO 27, Philadelphia 26 NEW ENGLAND 24, Baltimore 16
NEW ORLEANS 21, Chicago 16 MIAMI 31, NY Jets 3
Cleveland 17, CINCINNATI 10 Oakland 17, ST. LOUIS 10
Los Angeles 31, HOUSTON 26 KANSAS CITY 16, Denver 14
San Francisco 13, ATLANTA 9 PITTSBURGH 38, San Diego 21
MONDAY OCTOBER 8
WASHINGTON 14, Dallas 7
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Miami 3 1 0 .750 103 51 Dallas 3 1 0 .750 112 44
Buffalo 3 1 0 .750 74 80 Washington 3 1 0 .750 107 48
NY Jets 1 3 0 .250 51 73 St. Louis 2 2 0 .500 99 133
Baltimore 1 3 0 .250 54 92 NY Giants 1 2 1 .375 81 65
New England 1 3 0 .250 67 101 Philadelphia 0 3 1 .125 79 112
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 4 0 0 1.000 131 44 Minnesota 4 0 0 1.000 80 41
Cleveland 3 1 0 .750 59 67 Detroit 2 1 1 .625 63 66
Cincinnati 2 2 0 .500 64 68 GREEN BAY 2 1 1 .625 55 45
Houston 0 4 0 .000 57 125 Chicago 1 3 0 .250 79 87
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Kansas City 3 1 0 .750 55 47 Los Angeles 4 0 0 1.000 125 59
Oakland 2 2 0 .500 48 57 San Francisco 2 2 0 .500 92 104
Denver 1 3 0 .250 90 95 Atlanta 1 3 0 .250 77 82
San Diego 1 3 0 .250 68 103 New Orleans 1 3 0 .250 41 132
SUNDAY OCTOBER 14
Green Bay 10, Kan. City 10 (T) @ Mil Denver 48, HOUSTON 20
BUFFALO 31, Baltimore 13 NEW ORLEANS 20, Detroit 13
ATLANTA 46, Chicago 6 LOS ANGELES 37, Dallas 31
NY Jets 9, NEW ENGLAND 7 Minnesota 17, SAN FRANCISCO 13
CINCINNATI 19, Pittsburgh 7 Philadelphia 27, ST. LOUIS 24
Washington 21, NY GIANTS 3 OAKLAND 27, San Diego 17
MONDAY OCTOBER 15
Miami 17, CLEVELAND 9
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Miami 4 1 0 .800 120 60 Washington 4 1 0 .800 128 51
Buffalo 4 1 0 .800 105 93 Dallas 3 2 0 .600 143 81
NY Jets 2 3 0 .400 60 80 St. Louis 2 3 0 .400 123 160
Baltimore 1 4 0 .200 67 123 NY Giants 1 3 1 .300 84 86
New England 1 4 0 .200 74 110 Philadelphia 1 3 1 .300 106 136
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 4 1 0 .800 138 63 Minnesota 5 0 0 1.000 97 54
Cleveland 3 2 0 .600 68 84 GREEN BAY 2 1 2 .600 65 55
Cincinnati 3 2 0 .600 83 75 Detroit 2 2 1 .500 76 86
Houston 0 5 0 .000 77 173 Chicago 1 4 0 .200 85 133
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Kansas City 3 1 1 .700 65 57 Los Angeles 5 0 0 1.000 162 90
Oakland 3 2 0 .600 75 74 San Francisco 2 3 0 .400 105 121
Denver 2 3 0 .400 138 115 Atlanta 2 3 0 .400 123 88
San Diego 1 4 0 .200 85 130 New Orleans 2 3 0 .400 61 145
SUNDAY OCTOBER 21
Atlanta 41, SAN DIEGO 0 CINCINNATI 14, Kansas City 6
New England 13, CHICAGO 10 CLEVELAND 42, Houston 13
SAN FRANCISCO 40, New Orleans 0 LOS ANGELES 24, Green Bay 7
DALLAS 45, NY Giants 28 MIAMI 27, Buffalo 6
PITTSBURGH 26, NY Jets 14 Baltimore 29, DETROIT 27
WASHINGTON 31, St. Louis 13 MINNESOTA 28, Philadelphia 21
MONDAY OCTOBER 22
DENVER 23, Oakland 23 (T)
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Miami 5 1 0 .833 147 66 Washington 5 1 0 .833 159 64
Buffalo 4 2 0 .667 111 120 Dallas 4 2 0 .667 188 109
NY Jets 2 4 0 .333 74 106 St. Louis 2 4 0 .333 136 191
Baltimore 2 4 0 .333 96 150 NY Giants 1 4 1 .250 112 131
New England 2 4 0 .333 87 120 Philadelphia 1 4 1 .250 127 164
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 5 1 0 .833 164 77 Minnesota 6 0 0 1.000 125 75
Cleveland 4 2 0 .667 110 97 GREEN BAY 2 2 2 .500 72 79
Cincinnati 4 2 0 .667 97 81 Detroit 2 3 1 .417 103 115
Houston 0 6 0 .000 90 215 Chicago 1 5 0 .167 95 146
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Kansas City 3 2 1 .583 71 71 Los Angeles 6 0 0 1.000 186 97
Oakland 3 2 1 .583 98 97 San Francisco 3 3 0 .500 145 121
Denver 2 3 1 .417 161 138 Atlanta 3 3 0 .500 164 88
San Diego 1 5 0 .167 85 171 New Orleans 2 4 0 .333 61 185
SUNDAY OCTOBER 28
PITTSBURGH 20, Cincinnati 13 Atlanta 17, SAN FRANCISCO 3
Miami 30, NEW ENGLAND 14 CHICAGO 35, Houston 14
ST. LOUIS 35, NY Giants 27 PHILADELPHIA 30, Dallas 16
Oakland 34, BALTIMORE 21 Denver 40, NY JETS 28
NEW ORLEANS 19, Washington 3 CLEVELAND 16, San Diego 16 (T)
MINNESOTA 10, Los Angeles 9 DETROIT 34, Green Bay 0
MONDAY OCTOBER 29
BUFFALO 23, Kansas City 14
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Miami 6 1 0 .857 177 80 Washington 5 2 0 .714 162 83
Buffalo 5 2 0 .714 134 134 Dallas 4 3 0 .571 204 139
NY Jets 2 5 0 .286 102 146 St. Louis 3 4 0 .429 171 218
Baltimore 2 5 0 .286 117 184 Philadelphia 2 4 1 .357 167 180
New England 2 5 0 .286 101 150 NY Giants 1 5 1 .214 139 166
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 6 1 0 .857 184 90 Minnesota 7 0 0 1.000 135 84
Cleveland 4 2 1 .643 126 113 Detroit 3 3 1 .500 137 115
Cincinnati 4 3 0 .571 110 101 GREEN BAY 2 3 2 .429 72 113
Houston 0 7 0 .000 104 250 Chicago 2 5 0 .286 130 160
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Oakland 4 2 1 .643 132 118 Los Angeles 6 1 0 .857 195 107
Kansas City 3 3 1 .500 85 94 Atlanta 4 3 0 .571 181 91
Denver 3 3 1 .500 201 166 San Francisco 3 4 0 .429 148 138
San Diego 1 5 1 .214 101 187 New Orleans 3 4 0 .429 80 188
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4
DALLAS 38, Cincinnati 10 Chicago 31, GREEN BAY 17
ST. LOUIS 17, Denver 17 (T) MINNESOTA 26, Cleveland 3
NEW ORLEANS 13, Buffalo 0 Houston 31, BALTIMORE 27
OAKLAND 42, NY Giants 0 Kansas City 19, SAN DIEGO 0
ATLANTA 15, Los Angeles 13 Miami 24, NY JETS 14
DETROIT 30, San Francisco 20 PHILADELPHIA 24, New England 23
MONDAY NOVEMBER 5
PITTSBURGH 21, Washington 16
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Miami 7 1 0 .875 201 94 Dallas 5 3 0 .625 242 149
Buffalo 5 3 0 .625 134 147 Washington 5 3 0 .625 178 104
NY Jets 2 6 0 .250 116 170 St. Louis 3 4 1 .438 188 235
Baltimore 2 6 0 .250 144 215 Philadelphia 3 4 1 .438 191 203
New England 2 6 0 .250 124 174 NY Giants 1 6 1 .188 139 208
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 7 1 0 .875 205 106 Minnesota 8 0 0 1.000 161 87
Cleveland 4 3 1 .563 129 139 Detroit 4 3 1 .563 197 135
Cincinnati 4 4 0 .500 120 139 Chicago 3 5 0 .375 161 177
Houston 1 7 0 .125 135 277 GREEN BAY 2 4 2 .375 89 144
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Oakland 5 2 1 .688 174 118 Los Angeles 6 2 0 .750 208 122
Kansas City 4 3 1 .563 104 94 Atlanta 5 3 0 .625 196 104
Denver 3 3 2 .500 218 183 New Orleans 4 4 0 .500 93 188
San Diego 1 6 1 .188 101 206 San Francisco 3 5 0 .375 168 168
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 11
Atlanta 44, PHILADELPHIA 27 MINNESOTA 28, Detroit 7
NY JETS 33, New England 13 MIAMI 44, Baltimore 0
WASHINGTON 33, San Francisco 9 Cincinnati 16, BUFFALO 13
LOS ANGELES 29, New Orleans 7 Cleveland 23, HOUSTON 13
DENVER 30, San Diego 19 Dallas 23, NY Giants 10
GREEN BAY 25, St. Louis 21 Pittsburgh 17, OAKLAND 9
MONDAY NOVEMBER 12
KANSAS CITY 19, Chicago 7
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Miami 8 1 0 .889 245 94 Dallas 6 3 0 .667 265 159
Buffalo 5 4 0 .556 147 163 Washington 6 3 0 .667 211 113
NY Jets 3 6 0 .333 149 183 St. Louis 3 5 1 .389 209 260
Baltimore 2 7 0 .222 144 259 Philadelphia 3 5 1 .389 218 247
New England 2 7 0 .222 137 207 NY Giants 1 7 1 .167 149 231
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 8 1 0 .889 222 115 Minnesota 9 0 0 1.000 189 94
Cleveland 5 3 1 .611 152 152 Detroit 4 4 1 .500 204 163
Cincinnati 5 4 0 .556 136 152 GREEN BAY 3 4 2 .444 114 165
Houston 1 8 0 .111 148 300 Chicago 3 6 0 .333 168 196
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Oakland 5 3 1 .611 183 135 Los Angeles 7 2 0 .778 237 129
Kansas City 5 3 1 .611 123 101 Atlanta 6 3 0 .667 240 131
Denver 4 3 2 .556 248 202 New Orleans 4 5 0 .444 100 217
San Diego 1 7 1 .167 120 236 San Francisco 3 6 0 .333 177 201
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 18
WASHINGTON 22, Baltimore 14 NEW ENGLAND 33, Green Bay 24
Los Angeles 31, SAN FRANCISCO 13 KANSAS CITY 38, Houston 14
Miami 17, BUFFALO 0 Detroit 30, CHICAGO 7
SAN DIEGO 17, New Orleans 14 Denver 23, PITTSBURGH 13
CINCINNATI 20, NY Jets 14 Cleveland 7, OAKLAND 3
DALLAS 31, Philadelphia 10 NY Giants 24, St. Louis 13
MONDAY NOVEMBER 19
ATLANTA 20, Minnesota 14
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
X-Miami 9 1 0 .900 262 94 Dallas 7 3 0 .700 296 169
Buffalo 5 5 0 .500 147 180 Washington 7 3 0 .700 233 127
NY Jets 3 7 0 .300 163 203 St. Louis 3 6 1 .350 222 284
New England 3 7 0 .300 170 231 Philadelphia 3 6 1 .350 228 278
Baltimore 2 8 0 .200 158 281 NY Giants 2 7 1 .250 173 244
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 8 2 0 .800 235 138 Minnesota 9 1 0 .900 203 114
Cleveland 6 3 1 .650 159 155 Detroit 5 4 1 .550 234 170
Cincinnati 6 4 0 .600 156 166 GREEN BAY 3 5 2 .400 138 198
Houston 1 9 0 .100 162 338 Chicago 3 7 0 .300 175 226
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Kansas City 6 3 1 .650 161 115 Los Angeles 8 2 0 .800 268 142
Denver 5 3 2 .600 271 215 Atlanta 7 3 0 .700 260 145
Oakland 5 4 1 .550 186 142 New Orleans 4 6 0 .400 114 234
San Diego 2 7 1 .250 137 250 San Francisco 3 7 0 .300 190 232
X-Clinched Division Title
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 22
Washington 20, DETROIT 0 Miami 14, DALLAS 7
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 25
Oakland 31, SAN DIEGO 3 MINNESOTA 31, Chicago 13
New England 32, HOUSTON 0 Atlanta 28, NY JETS 20
PHILADELPHIA 20, NY Giants 16 Buffalo 24, BALTIMORE 17
CLEVELAND 21, Pittsburgh 16 DENVER 14, Kansas City 10
CINCINNATI 42, St. Louis 24 Los Angeles 24, NEW ORLEANS 13
MONDAY NOVEMBER 26
SAN FRANCISCO 20, Green Bay 6
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
X-Miami 10 1 0 .909 276 101 Washington 8 3 0 .727 253 127
Buffalo 6 5 0 .545 171 197 Dallas 7 4 0 .636 303 183
New England 4 7 0 .364 202 231 Philadelphia 4 6 1 .409 248 294
NY Jets 3 8 0 .273 183 231 St. Louis 3 7 1 .318 246 326
Baltimore 2 9 0 .182 175 305 NY Giants 2 8 1 .227 189 264
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 8 3 0 .727 251 159 X-Minnesota 10 1 0 .909 234 127
Cleveland 7 3 1 .682 180 171 Detroit 5 5 1 .500 234 190
Cincinnati 7 4 0 .636 198 190 GREEN BAY 3 6 2 .455 144 218
Houston 1 10 0 .091 162 370 Chicago 3 8 0 .273 188 257
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Denver 6 3 2 .636 285 225 Los Angeles 9 2 0 .818 292 155
Oakland 6 4 1 .591 217 145 Atlanta 8 3 0 .727 288 165
Kansas City 6 4 1 .591 171 129 New Orleans 4 7 0 .364 127 258
San Diego 2 8 1 .227 140 281 San Francisco 4 7 0 .364 210 238
X-Clinched Division Title
SUNDAY DECEMBER 2
Green Bay 30, New Orleans 10 @ Mil Detroit 20, ST. LOUIS 16
CINCINNATI 27, Minnesota 0 NY JETS 20, Baltimore 17
Dallas 22, DENVER 10 Los Angeles 26, CHICAGO 0
Buffalo 17, ATLANTA 6 WASHINGTON 27, NY Giants 24
KANSAS CITY 20, Cleveland 20 (T) Oakland 17, HOUSTON 6
NEW ENGLAND 30, San Diego 14 SAN FRANCISCO 38, Philadelphia 28
MONDAY DECEMBER 3
MIAMI 30, Pittsburgh 26
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
X-Miami 11 1 0 .917 306 127 Washington 9 3 0 .750 280 151
Buffalo 7 5 0 .583 188 203 Dallas 8 4 0 .667 325 193
New England 5 7 0 .417 232 245 Philadelphia 4 7 1 .375 276 332
NY Jets 4 8 0 .333 203 248 St. Louis 3 8 1 .292 262 346
Baltimore 2 10 0 .167 192 325 NY Giants 2 9 1 .208 213 291
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 8 4 0 .667 277 189 X-Minnesota 10 2 0 .833 234 154
Cincinnati 8 4 0 .667 225 190 Detroit 6 5 1 .542 254 216
Cleveland 7 3 2 .667 200 191 GREEN BAY 4 6 2 .417 174 228
Houston 1 11 0 .083 168 387 Chicago 3 9 0 .250 188 283
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Oakland 7 4 1 .625 244 151 X-Los Angeles 10 2 0 .833 318 155
Denver 6 4 2 .583 295 247 Atlanta 8 4 0 .667 294 182
Kansas City 6 4 2 .583 191 149 San Francisco 5 7 0 .417 248 266
San Diego 2 9 1 .208 154 311 New Orleans 4 8 0 .333 137 288
X-Clinched Division Title
SUNDAY DECEMBER 9
DETROIT 40, Chicago 7 BALTIMORE 16, Miami 3
Denver 42, SAN DIEGO 28 Cincinnati 34, CLEVELAND 17
PITTSBURGH 33, Houston 7 Minnesota 31, GREEN BAY 7
BUFFALO 37, New England 13 St. Louis 32, ATLANTA 10
PHILADELPHIA 24, NY Jets 23 OAKLAND 37, Kansas City 7
DALLAS 27, Washington 7 NEW ORLEANS 16, San Francisco 10
MONDAY DECEMBER 10
LOS ANGELES 40, NY Giants 6
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
X-Miami 11 2 0 .846 309 143 Dallas 9 4 0 .692 362 200
Buffalo 8 5 0 .615 225 216 Washington 9 4 0 .692 287 178
New England 5 8 0 .385 245 282 Philadelphia 5 7 1 .423 300 355
NY Jets 4 9 0 .308 226 272 St. Louis 4 8 1 .346 294 356
Baltimore 3 10 0 .231 208 328 NY Giants 2 10 1 .192 219 331
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Pittsburgh 9 4 0 .692 310 196 X-Minnesota 11 2 0 .846 265 161
Cincinnati 9 4 0 .692 259 207 Detroit 7 5 1 .577 294 223
Cleveland 7 4 2 .615 217 225 GREEN BAY 4 7 2 .385 181 259
Houston 1 12 0 .077 175 420 Chicago 3 10 0 .231 195 323
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
Oakland 8 4 1 .654 281 158 X-Los Angeles 11 2 0 .846 358 161
Denver 7 4 2 .615 337 275 Atlanta 8 5 0 .615 304 214
Kansas City 6 5 2 .538 198 186 New Orleans 5 8 0 .385 153 298
San Diego 2 10 1 .192 182 353 San Francisco 5 8 0 .385 258 282
X-Clinched Division Title
SUNDAY DECEMBER 16
Cincinnati 27, HOUSTON 24 MIAMI 34, Detroit 7
LOS ANGELES 30, Cleveland 17 Buffalo 34, NY JETS 14
Green Bay 21, CHICAGO 0 Dallas 30, ST. LOUIS 3
KANSAS CITY 33, San Diego 6 OAKLAND 21, Denver 17
BALTIMORE 18, New England 13 Minnesota 31, NY Giants 7
Pittsburgh 37, SAN FRANCISCO 14 ATLANTA 14, New Orleans 10
WASHINGTON 38, Philadelphia 20
Miami Dolphins (12-2)
Head Coach: Don Shula
Passing Leader: Bob Griese (1422)
Rushing Leader: Larry Csonka (1003)
Receiving Leader: Marlin Briscoe (30-447)
Buffalo Bills (9-5)
Head Coach: Lou Saban
Passing Leader: Joe Ferguson (939)
Rushing Leader: O.J. Simpson (2003)
Receiving Leader: Bob Chandler (30-427)
New England Patriots (5-9)
Head Coach: Chuck Fairbanks
Passing Leader: Jim Plunkett (2550)
Rushing Leader: Sam Cunningham (516)
Receiving Leader: Reggie Rucker (53-743)
New York Jets (4-10)
Head Coach: Weeb Ewbank
Passing Leader: Al Woodall (1228)
Rushing Leader: Emerson Boozer (831)
Receiving Leader: Jerome Barkum (44-810)
Baltimore Colts (4-10)
Head Coach: Howard Schnellenberger
Passing Leader: Marty Domres (1153)
Rushing Leader: Lydell Mitchell (963)
Rec. Leader: G. Doughty (25-587)/T. Mitchell (25-313)/D. McCauley (25-313)
Cincinnati Bengals (10-4)
Head Coach: Paul Brown
Passing Leader: Ken Anderson (2428)
Rushing Leader: Essex Wilson (997)
Receiving Leader: Isaac Curtis (45-843)
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
Head Coach: Chuck Noll
Passing Leader: Terry Bradshaw (1183)
Rushing Leader: Franco Harris (698)
Receiving Leader: Ron Shanklin (30-711)
Cleveland Browns (7-5-2)
Head Coach: Nick Skorich
Passing Leader: Mike Phipps (1719)
Rushing Leader: Ken Brown (537)
Receiving Leader: Frank Pitts (31-317)
Houston Oilers (1-13)
Head Coach: Bill Peterson (0-5) and Sid Gillman (1-8)
Passing Leader: Dan Pastorini (1482)
Rushing Leader: Fred Willis (579)
Receiving Leader: Fred Willis (57-371)
Oakland Raiders (9-4-1)
Head Coach: John Madden
Passing Leader: Ken Stabler (1997)
Rushing Leader: Marv Hubbard (903)
Receiving Leader: Fred Biletnikoff (48-660)
Kansas City Chiefs (7-5-2)
Head Coach: Hank Stram
Passing Leader: Mike Livingston (916)
Rushing Leader: Ed Podolak (721)
Receiving Leader: Ed Podolak (55-445)
Denver Broncos (7-5-2)
Head Coach: John Ralston
Passing Leader: Charley Johnson (2465)
Rushing Leader: Floyd Little (979)
Receiving Leader: Riley Odoms (43-629)
San Diego Chargers (2-11-1)
Head Coach: Harland Svare (1-6-1) and Ron Waller (1-5)
Passing Leader: Dan Fouts (1126)
Rushing Leader: Cid Edwards (609)
Receiving Leader: Jerry LeVias (30-536)
AFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
X-Miami 12 2 0 .857 343 150 X-Dallas 10 4 0 .714 382 203
Buffalo 9 5 0 .643 259 230 Y-Washington 10 4 0 .714 325 198
New England 5 9 0 .357 258 300 Philadelphia 5 8 1 .393 310 393
Baltimore 4 10 0 .286 226 341 St. Louis 4 9 1 .321 286 365
NY Jets 4 10 0 .286 240 306 NY Giants 2 11 1 .179 226 362
AFC CENTRAL DIVISION NFC CENTRAL DIVISION
X-Cincinnati 10 4 0 .714 286 231 X-Minnesota 12 2 0 .857 296 168
Y-Pittsburgh 10 4 0 .714 347 210 Detroit 7 6 1 .536 271 247
Cleveland 7 5 2 .571 234 255 GREEN BAY 5 7 2 .429 202 259
Houston 1 13 0 .071 199 447 Chicago 3 11 0 .214 195 344
AFC WESTERN DIVISION NFC WESTERN DIVISION
X-Oakland 9 4 1 .679 292 175 X-Los Angeles 12 2 0 .857 388 178
Denver 7 5 2 .571 354 296 Atlanta 9 5 0 .643 318 224
Kansas City 7 5 2 .571 231 192 New Orleans 5 9 0 .357 163 312
San Diego 2 11 1 .179 188 386 San Francisco 5 9 0 .357 262 319
X-Clinched Division Title Y-Clinched Wildcard Berth
1973 PLAYOFFS - AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Divisional - December 22 - MIAMI (12-2) 34, Cincinnati (10-4) 16
Divisional - December 23 - OAKLAND (9-4-1) 33, Pittsburgh (10-4) 14
Conference - December 30 - MIAMI (13-2) 27, Oakland (10-4-1) 10
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Divisional - December 22 - DALLAS (10-4) 27, LA Rams (12-2) 16
Divisional - December 23 - MINNESOTA (12-2) 27, Washington (10-4) 20
Conference - December 30 - Minnesota (13-2) 27, DALLAS (11-4) 10
SUPER BOWL 8 (January 13, 1974 at Houston)
MIAMI DOLPHINS (14-2) 24, MINNESOTA VIKINGS (14-2) 7 - The defending NFL champion Dolphins, representing the AFC for the third straight year, scored the first two times they had possession on marches of 62 and 56 yards while the Miami defense limited the Vikings to only seven plays in the first period. Larry Csonka climaxed the initial 10-play drive with a 5-yard touchdown bolt through right guard after 5:27 had elapsed. Four plays later, Miami began another 10-play scoring drive, which ended with Jim Kiick bursting one yard through the middle for another touchdown after 13:38 of the period. Garo Yepremian added a 28-yard field goal midway in the second period for a 17-0 Miami lead. Minnesota then drove from its 20 to a second-and-2 situation on the Miami seven yard line with 1:18 left in the half. But on two plays, Miami limited Oscar Reed to 1 yard. On fourth-and-1 from the 6, Reed went over right tackle, but Dolphins middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti jarred the ball loose and Jake Scott recovered for Miami to halt the Minnesota threat. The Vikings were unable to muster enough offense in the second half to threaten the Dolphins. Csonka rushed 33 times for a Super Bowl-record 145 yards. Bob Griese of Miami completed 6 of 7 passes for 73 yards.
UNIVERSAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE - The league was announced on October 5, 1973, when sports agents Tony Rizzano and Louis S. Goldman said their UFL would draw teams from the United States, Mexico and Canada and games would be played with new rules, including several from the CFL. The pair revealed plans for the new league, just two days after plans were unveiled for the World Football League. Rizzano said the UFL, to be composed of 10 teams, hoped to begin playing in 1974. The prospective franchise owners in league cities — New York, Chicago, Phoenix, Seattle, Tampa, Memphis, Anaheim, Birmingham, Mexico City and Toronto — would be charged $3 million in cash for their franchises. In January 1974, Razzano announced the UFL would hold off until the spring of 1975 to begin play due to the WFL. In March 1974, Razzano announced that his dream to create a new football league has died, leaving behind bills totaling $50,000. "I closed up shop. I was getting little or no cooperation from the people I was trying to approach. I was beating my head against the wall constantly. I have an excellent concept and it still is an excellent concept. It was one that could have surfaced, but you can't surface unless you have backing." (Source: Birmingham Pro Sports)
