Surf Wiki
Save to docs
sports

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

1973 Kansas City Chiefs season

NFL team season

NFL team season

FieldValue
teamKansas City Chiefs
year1973
record7–5–2
division_place2nd AFC West
coachHank Stram
general managerJack Steadman
ownerLamar Hunt
stadiumArrowhead Stadium
playoffs*Did not qualify*
pro bowlersC Jack Rudnay
LB Willie Lanier
shortnavlinkChiefs seasons

LB Willie Lanier

The 1973 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 4th season in the National Football League, the 11th as the Kansas City Chiefs, and the 14th overall. they finished with a 7–5–2 record and missed the playoffs for the second straight year. This was their last winning season until 1981.

The defense kept the club in contention thanks to a nucleus that still included the bulk of the squad's Super Bowl IV starters. Quarterback Mike Livingston started in a 23–13 Opening Day loss against the Los Angeles Rams on September 16, but Len Dawson returned to rally the club for three consecutive wins to get the club off to a 3–1 start for a third consecutive year. The aging Dawson made his final start of the year in a 23–14 loss at Buffalo on October 29 and was replaced for the remainder of the year by Livingston, beginning a string of three straight seasons in which both players split time at the position.

Livingston led the club to another three straight wins, putting the team in first place in mid-November with a 6–3–1 record. A 1–2–1 ledger over the season's final month ended the club's post-season aspirations as the team finished the year in a second-place tie with Denver at 7–5–2. Dawson became the second Chiefs player in as many years to win the NFL Man of the Year Award. Following Super Bowl VIII, The AFC-NFC Pro Bowl was held at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20 with the AFC claiming a 15–13 win thanks to five field goals from Miami placekicker Garo Yepremian.

To date, the 1973 Chiefs along with the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns, and Green Bay Packers are the last teams to record 2 ties in a single season. Overtime for regular season games was introduced the following year, and the occurrence of tie games decreased.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1973 NFL draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionSchool/Club team

Roster

Preseason

Kansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"WeekKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"DateKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"OpponentKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"ResultKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"RecordKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"VenueKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"AttendanceKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"Recap123456
[New Orleans Saints](1973-new-orleans-saints-season)**W** 12–61–0Arrowhead Stadium67,216[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1973nflkc.html)
[Detroit Lions](1973-detroit-lions-season)**L** 16–171–1Arrowhead Stadium67,624[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1973nflkc.html)
[Minnesota Vikings](1973-minnesota-vikings-season)**L** 10–131–2Arrowhead Stadium72,676[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1973nflkc.html)
August 26[Green Bay Packers](1973-green-bay-packers-season)**L** 16–211–3Arrowhead Stadium75,231[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1973nflkc.html)
at [Dallas Cowboys](1973-dallas-cowboys-season)**L** 16–271–4Texas Stadium57,468[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1973nflkc.html)
at [St. Louis Cardinals](1973-st-louis-cardinals-nfl-season)**W** 16–72–4Busch Memorial Stadium49,486[Recap](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1973nflkc.html)

Regular season

Schedule

Kansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"WeekKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"DateKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"OpponentKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"ResultKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"RecordKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"VenueKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"AttendanceKansas City Chiefsyear=1973border=2}}"Recap1234567891011121314
September 16[Los Angeles Rams](1973-los-angeles-rams-season)**L** 13–230–1Arrowhead Stadium62,315[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309160kan.htm)
September 23at [New England Patriots](1973-new-england-patriots-season)**W** 10–71–1Schaefer Stadium57,918[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309230nwe.htm)
September 30**[Oakland Raiders](1973-oakland-raiders-season)****W** 16–32–1Arrowhead Stadium72,631[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197309300kan.htm)
October 7**[Denver Broncos](1973-denver-broncos-season)****W** 16–143–1Arrowhead Stadium71,414[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310070kan.htm)
October 14at [Green Bay Packers](1973-green-bay-packers-season)**T** 10–103–1–1Milwaukee County Stadium46,583[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310140gnb.htm)
October 21at [Cincinnati Bengals](1973-cincinnati-bengals-season)**L** 6–143–2–1Riverfront Stadium56,397[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310210cin.htm)
at [Buffalo Bills](1973-buffalo-bills-season)**L** 14–233–3–1Rich Stadium76,071[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197310290buf.htm)
November 4at **[San Diego Chargers](1973-san-diego-chargers-season)****W** 19–04–3–1San Diego Stadium50,234[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311040sdg.htm)
[Chicago Bears](1973-chicago-bears-season)**W** 19–75–3–1Arrowhead Stadium70,664[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311120kan.htm)
November 18[Houston Oilers](1973-houston-oilers-season)**W** 38–146–3–1Arrowhead Stadium68,444[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311180kan.htm)
November 25at **Denver Broncos****L** 10–146–4–1Mile High Stadium51,331[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197311250den.htm)
December 2[Cleveland Browns](1973-cleveland-browns-season)**T** 20–206–4–2Arrowhead Stadium70,296[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312020kan.htm)
at **Oakland Raiders****L** 7–376–5–2Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum53,945[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312080rai.htm)
December 16**San Diego Chargers****W** 33–67–5–2Arrowhead Stadium43,755[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197312160kan.htm)
**Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text.

Game summaries

Week 1 vs. Los Angeles Rams

First quarter

  • LA – Pat Curran 2-yard pass from John Hadl (kick failed). Rams 6–0. Second quarter
  • LA – Lawrence McCutcheon 31-yard pass from John Hadl (David Ray kick). Rams 13–0.
  • LA – Steve Preece 11-yard run (David Ray kick). Rams 20–0. Third quarter
  • LA – David Ray 27-yard field goal. Rams 23–0. Fourth quarter
  • KC – Elmo Wright 16-yard pass from Pete Beathard (Jan Stenerud kick). Rams 23–7.
  • KC – Gary Butler 6-yard pass from Pete Beathard (kick failed). Rams 23–14. ;Top passers
  • LA – John Hadl – 8/10, 99 yards, 2 TD
  • KC – Pete Beathard – 15/20, 198 yards, 2 TD ;Top rushers
  • LA – Jim Bertelsen – 28 rushes, 143 yards
  • KC – Wendell Hayes – 3 rushes, 12 yards ;Top receivers
  • LA – Lawrence McCutcheon – 3 receptions, 53 yards, TD
  • KC – Otis Taylor – 4 receptions, 83 yards

Week 2: at New England Patriots

First quarter

  • No scoring plays. Second quarter
  • KC – Willie Ellison 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0.
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 33-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–0. Third quarter
  • No scoring plays. Fourth quarter
  • NE – Sam Cunningham 1-yard run (Bill Bell kick). Chiefs 10–7. ;Top passers
  • KC – Len Dawson – 11/14, 180 yards
  • NE – Jim Plunkett – 16/29, 203 yards, INT ;Top rushers
  • KC – Willie Ellison – 20 rushes, 90 yards, TD
  • NE – Sam Cunningham – 9 rushes, 22 yards, TD ;Top receivers
  • KC – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 115 yards
  • NE – Reggie Rucker – 5 receptions, 97 yards

Week 3: vs. Oakland Raiders

First quarter

  • No scoring plays. Second quarter
  • OAK – George Blanda 21-yard field goal. Raiders 3–0.
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 47-yard field goal. Tie 3–3.
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 41-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–3. Third quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 29-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–3. Fourth quarter
  • KC – Willie Lanier 17-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 16–3. ;Top passers
  • OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 4/12, 53 yards, INT
  • KC – Len Dawson – 10/13, 82 yards ;Top rushers
  • OAK – Charlie Smith – 11 rushes, 30 yards
  • KC – Wendell Hayes – 21 rushes, 83 yards ;Top receivers
  • OAK – Cliff Branch – 2 receptions, 29 yards
  • KC – Wendell Hayes – 3 receptions, 23 yards

Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos

First quarter

  • No scoring plays. Second quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 38-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0.
  • DEN – Floyd Little 50-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 7–3.
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 40-yard field goal. Broncos 7–6. Third quarter
  • KC – Otis Taylor 20-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 13–7. Fourth quarter
  • DEN – Joe Dawkins 72-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 14–13.
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 39-yard field goal. Chiefs 16–14. ;Top passers
  • DEN – Charley Johnson – 10/19, 120 yards, TD, INT
  • KC – Len Dawson – 18/29, 170 yards, TD ;Top rushers
  • DEN – Joe Dawkins – 9 rushes, 93 yards, TD
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 16 rushes, 72 yards ;Top receivers
  • DEN – Floyd Little – 3 receptions, 64 yards, TD
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 12 receptions, 84 yards

Week 5: at Green Bay Packers

First quarter

  • KC – Morris Stroud 8-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. Second quarter
  • GB – Chester Marcol 46-yard field goal. Chiefs 7–3.
  • GB – Jon Staggers 26-yard pass from Jim Del Gaizo (Chester Marcol kick). Packers 10–7. Third quarter
  • No scoring plays. Fourth quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal. Tied 10–10. ;Top passers
  • KC – Len Dawson – 10/19, 67 yards, TD, INT
  • GB – Jim Del Gaizo – 6/12, 89 yards, TD, 2 INT ;Top rushers
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 15 rushes, 49 yards
  • GB – John Brockington – 15 rushes, 106 yards ;Top receivers
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 6 receptions, 30 yards
  • GB – MacArthur Lane – 4 receptions, 38 yards

Week 6: at Cincinnati Bengals

First quarter

  • No scoring plays. Second quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 42-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0.
  • CIN – Bob Trumpy 30-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 7–3. Third quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 17-yard field goal. Bengals 7–6. Fourth quarter
  • CIN – Boobie Clark 3-yard run. (Horst Muhlmann kick). Bengals 14–6. ;Top passers
  • KC – Len Dawson – 15/20, 200 yards, 2 INT
  • CIN – Ken Anderson – 12/22, 155 yards, TD, 2 INT ;Top rushers
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 14 rushes, 59 yards
  • CIN – Boobie Clark – 26 rushes, 104 yards ;Top receivers
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 4 receptions, 43 yards
  • CIN – Isaac Curtis – 8 receptions, 106 yards

Week 7: at Buffalo Bills

First quarter

  • BUF – O. J. Simpson 1-yard run (John Leypoldt kick). Bills 7–0.
  • BUF – O. J. Simpson 4-yard run (Bob Chandler run). Bills 14–0. Second quarter
  • KC – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Bills 14–7. Third quarter
  • BUF – John Leypoldt 31-yard field goal. Bills 17–7.
  • BUF – John Leypoldt 17-yard field goal. Bills 20–7.
  • BUF – John Leypoldt 8-yard field goal. Bills 23–7. Fourth quarter
  • KC – Pete Beathard 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Bills 23–14. ;Top passers
  • KC – Pete Beathard – 6/23, 73 yards
  • BUF – Joe Ferguson – 6/11, 63 yards, INT ;Top rushers
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 7 rushes, 29 yards
  • BUF – O. J. Simpson – 39 rushes, 157 yards, 2 TD ;Top receivers
  • KC – Wendell Hayes – 2 receptions, 33 yards
  • BUF – Bob Chandler – 3 receptions, 35 yards

Week 8: at San Diego Chargers

First quarter

  • KC – Ed Podolak 5-yard run (kick failed). Chiefs 6–0. Second quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 31-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–0. Third quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal. Chiefs 12–0. Fourth quarter
  • KC – Morris Stroud 39-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 19–0. ;Top passers
  • KC – Mike Livingston – 10/19, 169 yards, TD
  • SD – Dan Fouts – 11/29, 128 yards, 3 INT ;Top rushers
  • KC – Wendell Hayes – 13 rushes, 90 yards
  • SD – Mike Garrett – 14 rushes, 51 yards ;Top receivers
  • KC – Morris Stroud – 2 receptions, 61 yards, TD
  • SD – Pettis Norman – 3 receptions, 62 yards

Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears

First quarter

  • KC – Jan Stenerud 47-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0. Second quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 17-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–0.
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 43-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–0.
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 42-yard field goal. Chiefs 12–0. Third quarter
  • CHI – Carl Garrett 9-yard run (Mirro Roder kick). Chiefs 12–7.
  • KC – Otis Taylor 24-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 19–7. Fourth quarter
  • No scoring plays. ;Top passers
  • CHI – Bobby Douglass – 9/21, 130 yards, INT
  • KC – Mike Livingston – 11/22, 146 yards, TD, 2 INT ;Top rushers
  • CHI – Carl Garrett – 13 rushes, 42 yards, TD
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 28 rushes, 134 yards ;Top receivers
  • CHI – Carl Garrett – 2 receptions, 62 yards
  • KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 54 yards, TD

Week 10: vs. Houston Oilers

First quarter

  • KC – Gary Butler 5-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick) Chiefs 7–0. Second quarter
  • KC – Otis Taylor 24-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–0. Third quarter
  • KC – Mike Livingston 3-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 21–0.
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 38-yard field goal. Chiefs 24–0.
  • HOU – Bob Gresham 62-yard pass from Lynn Dickey (Skip Butler kick). Chiefs 24–7. Fourth quarter
  • HOU – Fred Willis 1-yard run (Skip Butler kick). Chiefs 24–14.
  • KC – Willie Ellison 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 31–14.
  • KC – John Lohmeyer 19-yard fumble return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 38–14. ;Top passers
  • HOU – Lynn Dickey – 12/23, 191 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • KC – Mike Livingston – 13/19, 149 yards, 2 TD, INT ;Top rushers
  • HOU – Fred Willis – 11 rushes, 23 yards, TD
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 20 rushes, 82 yards ;Top receivers
  • HOU – Billy Parks – 6 receptions, 91 yards
  • KC – Elmo Wright – 3 receptions, 53 yards

Week 11 at Denver Broncos

First quarter

  • No scoring plays. Second quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 38-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0.
  • DEN – Haven Moses 18-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 7–3.
  • DEN – Haven Moses 40-yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner] kick). Broncos 14–3. Third quarter
  • No scoring plays. Fourth quarter
  • KC – Otis Taylor 7-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Broncos 14–10. ;Top passers
  • KC – Mike Livingston – 12/31, 129 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • DEN – Charley Johnson – 10/21, 144 yards, 2 TD, INT ;Top rushers
  • KC – Willie Ellison – 19 rushes, 64 yards
  • DEN – Floyd Little – 18 rushes, 50 yards ;Top receivers
  • KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 50 yards, TD
  • DEN – Haven Moses – 5 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TD

Week 12 vs Cleveland Browns

First quarter

  • KC – Elmo Wright 11-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. Second quarter
  • CLE – Don Cockroft 44-yard field goal. Chiefs 7–3. Third quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 15-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3.
  • CLE – Don Cockroft 28-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–6. Fourth quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 13-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–6.
  • KC – Ed Podolak 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 20–6.
  • CLE – Greg Pruitt 65-yard run (Don Cockroft kick). Chiefs 20–13.
  • CLE – Milt Morin 51-yard pass from Mike Phipps (Don Cockroft kick). Tied 20–20. ;Top passers
  • CLE – Mike Phipps – 13/27, 171 yards, TD, INT
  • KC – Mike Livingston – 7/11, 70 yards, TD ;Top rushers
  • CLE – Greg Pruitt – 15 rushes, 110 yards, TD
  • KC – Willie Ellison – 20 rushes, 108 yards ;Top receivers
  • CLE – Milt Morin – 3 receptions, 86 yards, TD
  • KC – Elmo Wright – 5 receptions, 70 yards, TD

Week 13: at Oakland Raiders

First quarter

  • OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 9-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 7–0. Second quarter
  • OAK – Marv Hubbard 31-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 14–0.
  • OAK – George Blanda 20-yard field goal. Raiders 17–0.
  • OAK – George Blanda 28-yard field goal. Raiders 20–0. Third quarter
  • OAK – George Blanda 27-yard field goal. Raiders 23–0.
  • KC – Mike Livingston 17-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Raiders 23–7. Fourth quarter
  • OAK – Charlie Smith 10-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 30–7.
  • OAK – Cliff Branch 3-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 37–7. ;Top passers
  • KC – Mike Livingston – 6/14, 66 yards, INT
  • OAK – Ken Stabler – 10/19, 88 yards, 2 TD ;Top rushers
  • KC – Mike Livingston – 1 rush, 17 yards, TD
  • OAK – Marv Hubbard – 25 rushes, 115 yards, TD ;Top receivers
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 7 receptions, 65 yards
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 5 receptions, 43 yards

Week 14: vs. San Diego Chargers

First quarter

  • KC – Ed Podolak 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0.
  • SD – Ray Wersching 22-yard field goal. Chiefs 7–3.
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 45-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3. Second quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–3. Third quarter
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 20-yard field goal. Chiefs 16–3.
  • SD – Ray Wersching 26-yard field goal. Chiefs 16–6.
  • KC – Jeff Kinney 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 23–6. Fourth quarter
  • KC – Wendell Hayes 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 30–6.
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 27-yard field goal. Chiefs 33–6. ;Top passers
  • SD – Dan Fouts – 9/14, 97 yards
  • KC – Mike Livingston – 11/22, 123 yards ;Top rushers
  • SD – Robert Holmes – 9 rushes, 27 yards
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 13 rushes, 50 yards, TD ;Top receivers
  • SD – Robert Holmes – 5 receptions, 50 yards
  • KC – Jeff Kinney – 2 receptions, 42 yards

Standings

References

Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

1973-nfl-season-by-team kansas-city-chiefs-seasons 1973-in-sports-in-missouri
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about 1973 Kansas City Chiefs season — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report