1973 NFL Season
Leaders
Passing Yards: Gabriel (PHI) - 3,064...Anderson (CIN) - 2,925...Hart (SLC) - 2,716...Staubach (DAL) - 2,612...Tarkenton (MIN) - 2,345
Rushing Yards: Simpson (BUF) - 1,881...Brockington (GNB) - 1,328...Hill (DAL) - 1,202...Hampton (ATL) - 1,162...Clark (CIN) - 1,111
Receiving Yards: Taylor (WAS) - 1,125...Curtis (CIN) - 1,068...Young (PHI) - 913...Carmichael (PHI) - 857...Gilliam (MIN) - 831
Scoring: Mike-Mayer (ATL) - 134...Yepremian (MIA) - 131...Leypoldt (BUF) - 131...Gogolak (NYG) - 128...Blanda (OAK) - 121
Interceptions: Taylor (SFO ) - 11...Anderson (MIA) - 10...Jones (Den) - 7...Kearney (KAN) - 7...Brown (ATL) - 7
Sacks: Dryer (LAM) - 11...Eller (MIN) - 11...Youngblood (LAM) - 11...White (PIT) - 10...Greenwood (PIT) - 10
Division Winners
AFC East - Miami (11-2-1)
AFC Central - Pittsburgh (10-4)
AFC West - Oakland (10-3-1)
AFC Wildcard - Buffalo (10-3-1)
NFC East - Dallas (10-3-1)
NFC Central - Minnesota (9-4-1)
NFC West - Los Angeles (11-1-2)
NFC Wildcard - Atlanta (11-3)
PLAYOFFS
Pittsburgh (6) at Oakland (16)
Buffalo (6) at Miami (23)
Minnesota (30) at Dallas (27)
Atlanta (10) at Los Angeles (36)
Passing Yards: Gabriel (PHI) - 3,064...Anderson (CIN) - 2,925...Hart (SLC) - 2,716...Staubach (DAL) - 2,612...Tarkenton (MIN) - 2,345
Rushing Yards: Simpson (BUF) - 1,881...Brockington (GNB) - 1,328...Hill (DAL) - 1,202...Hampton (ATL) - 1,162...Clark (CIN) - 1,111
Receiving Yards: Taylor (WAS) - 1,125...Curtis (CIN) - 1,068...Young (PHI) - 913...Carmichael (PHI) - 857...Gilliam (MIN) - 831
Scoring: Mike-Mayer (ATL) - 134...Yepremian (MIA) - 131...Leypoldt (BUF) - 131...Gogolak (NYG) - 128...Blanda (OAK) - 121
Interceptions: Taylor (SFO ) - 11...Anderson (MIA) - 10...Jones (Den) - 7...Kearney (KAN) - 7...Brown (ATL) - 7
Sacks: Dryer (LAM) - 11...Eller (MIN) - 11...Youngblood (LAM) - 11...White (PIT) - 10...Greenwood (PIT) - 10
Division Winners
AFC East - Miami (11-2-1)
AFC Central - Pittsburgh (10-4)
AFC West - Oakland (10-3-1)
AFC Wildcard - Buffalo (10-3-1)
NFC East - Dallas (10-3-1)
NFC Central - Minnesota (9-4-1)
NFC West - Los Angeles (11-1-2)
NFC Wildcard - Atlanta (11-3)
PLAYOFFS
Pittsburgh (6) at Oakland (16)
Buffalo (6) at Miami (23)
Minnesota (30) at Dallas (27)
Atlanta (10) at Los Angeles (36)
AFC Championship - New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
December 30, 1973 at The Orange Bowl...Temp 78, Partly Cloudy...7 mph wind
In what has become an annual event, the Miami Dolphins are hosting the AFC Championship game once again. This is the 4th straight year they have done so. A win over the visiting Oakland Raiders will put them in the Super Bowl and give them a chance at back to back championships.
Defense dominated the day as there were no offensive touchdowns scored. The only touchdown came in the 4th quarter of the game on an interception return. There was no scoring in the fist quarter. Miami's Garo Yepremian missed a 43 yard field goal on the Dolphin's second possession of the game. That was the only time either team came close to scoring. In the second quarter, Oakland's George Blanda kicked a 47 yard field goal to put the Raiders up 3-0. Yepremian redeemed himself on the Dolphins next possession Garo kicked a 50 yard field goal to tie the game a 3-3. That would be the score at halftime. The Raiders received the second half kick and Blanda booted a 27 yard field goal to put the Raiders back on top 6-3. Miami went three and out and the Raiders moved deep into Dolphin territory looking to build on their lead. But Miami's Henry Stuckey intercepted a Ken Stabler pass in the end zone to end the threat. The Dolphins then drove right back down the field and Yepremian came on for a field goal attempt to tie the game. His 31 yard try was no good, his second miss of the day, and the Raiders remained in front 6-3. The Raiders were forced to punt and Miami had the ball to begin the 4th quarter. Miami was faced with a third and six from their own 35 yard line. Bob Griese dropped back to pass looking for Marlin Briscoe. His pass sailed high and Jack Tatum made the interception at the 47 yard line. Tatum got a few blocks and made a cut back to the middle of the field. After that it was all speed as he out raced the Miami offense and went all the way for a touchdown. The Raiders now have a 13-3 lead with 13:07 left in the game. On the Dolphins very next play from scrimmage Griese kept the ball on planned run. He was trapped behind the line of scrimmage and stripped of the ball. Art Thoms recovered for the Raiders and returned the ball to the Miami 10 yard line. The Raiders reached the one yard line and on 4th and goal they called on Blanda for the chip shot field goal. His kick was good and the Raiders now had a 16-3 lead with 10:30 remaining in the game. The Dolphins would turn the ball over twice more in the quarter for a total of four 4th quarter turnovers. The Raiders didn't score again, but they didn't have to. Oakland defeats Miami 16-3 and heads to Super Bowl VIII. MVP: Phil Villapiano LB (Oakland) Defense: 12 Tackles For Oakland, they actually fumbled the ball five times but recovered all five. Marv Hubbard 12 carries for 26 yards...Charlie Smith 12 carries for 49 yards, 4 catches for 9 yards...Clarence Davis 9 carries for 42 yards...Ken Stabler 10/14, 90 yards, INT...Marv Hubbard 2 catches for 38 yards. For Miami, Larry Csonka 17 carries for 85 yards...Mercury Morris 8 carries for 41 yards...Bob Griese 13/31, 117 yards, 2 INT...Marlin Briscoe 3 catches for 52 yards. |
NFC Championship - Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
December 30, 1973 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum...Temp 67, Partly Cloudy...No Wind
The Minnesota Vikings return to the NFC Championship game once again. This makes it three out of four years. But this time they will be on the road. Instead of playing in the blustery cold in front of their hometown fans, they head out to the west coast to face the Los Angeles Rams in balmy 67 degree weather. The Vikings and Rams are both looking for their first trip to the Super Bowl.
The Vikings received the opening kick and on the first play from scrimage, Chuck Foreman fumbled. Jack Youngblood recovered for the Rams at the Minnesota 45 yard line. The Viking defense held and forced a long field goal try by David Ray. His 44 yard attempt was no good and the Vikings dodge an early bullet. The Rams got the ball back after forcing a Viking punt and this time they get on the board. John Hadl connects with Lawrence McCutcheon on an eight yard pass. Halfway through the first quarter and the Rams have a 7-0 lead. The Vikings answered with a Fran Tarkenton to Oscar Reed 10 yard touchdown pass and just before the first quarter ends, the game is tied at 7-7. The Rams regained the lead early in the second quarter on a one yard dive by Tony Baker. The Viking counter by driving to the Rams four yard line. Facing a 4th and goal the Vikings elect to take the points. Fred Cox converts an 11 yard field goal to make the game 14-10. Just before the half, Cox brings the Vikings closer with a long 51 yard field goal. At the half, it's 14-13 Los Angeles. Midway through the third quarter, Minnesota's Roy Winston recovered a fumble by McCutcheon. Cox ended up coming on and trying a 52 yard field goal that would give the Vikings the lead, but this time he came up short. The Rams offense came back out and went right down the field. Jim Bertelsen's four yard touchdown run put the Rams up 21-13. On the ensuing kick off Charlie West broke through the wedge and returned the kick 64 yards down to the Rams 28 yard line. Three Ed Marinaro runs netted a loss of two yards so Fred Cox was called on again. His kick from 37 yards sailed wide right and the lead remained at eight for the Rams as the game moved to the 4th quarter. The Rams were forced to punt back to the Vikings and again the Vikings moved into long field goal range. Cox came out and he missed his third straight kick. However, the Vikings were given new life as a holding penalty was called giving the Vikings a first down. Minnesota moved to the 14 yard line before stalling out. This time Cox drilled the field goal try and it was now a 21-16 game with 6:04 to play. The Rams took the field looking to kill off some clock and hopefully the game. That's exactly what they did. 11 straight running plays moved the ball to the Minnesota three yard line. With just 21 seconds left in the game, David Ray kicked a 10 yard field goal to clinch the win. The Rams head to the Super Bowl by defeating Minnesota 24-16. MVP: Jim Bertelsen HB\PR (LA Rams) Rushing: 55 yards, TD...Receiving: 1 catch, 10 yards...Returns: 12 yards For Minnesota, Oscar Reed 9 carries for 24 yards...Fran Tarkenton 19/28, 214 yards, TD...John Gilliam 4 catches for 93 yards...Stu Voigt 4 catches for 42 yards.. Fred Cox 3/5 field goals. For Los Angeles, Lawrence McCutcheon 18 carries for 79 yards, two catches for 46 yards, TD...John Hadl 8/14, 100 yards, TD, INT. |
Super Bowl VIII - Oakland Raiders v Los Angeles Rams
January 13, 1974 at Rice Stadium...Temp 51, Cloudy...No wind
Rice Stadium in Houston Texas is the site for Super Bowl VIII. Two California teams, Oakland and Los Angeles are set to meet on a cloudy, cool afternoon to determine the Champion of the 1973 season. This is the first Super Bowl appearance for either team.
Both defenses took control of the game early on. Neither team was able to score in the first quarter. It was Oakland that got on the board first. Daryle Lamonica threw a seven yard TD pass to Mike Siani putting the Raiders up 7-0 early in the second quarter. The Rams gave the ball right back to Oakland when Larry Smith fumbled at his own 32 yard line. Phil Villapiano recovered setting up the Raiders with great field position. The Raiders took advantage as Lamonica tossed another TD pass to Siani. The Raiders now had a quick 14-0 lead. After forcing the Rams to punt, Lamonica tossed his third touchdown pass of the quarter. This time he connected with Fred Biletnikoff. At the half, Oakland was in front 21-0. The teams came back out for the second half and the Raiders defense picked right back up where they left off. They dominated the Rams offense shutting them out again in the 3rd quarter. George Blanda kicked field goals of 12 and 17 yards extending the Raiders lead to 27-0. The Rams finally did get on the scoreboard, but it was as the result of their defense. Lamonica was called for intentional grounding while he was in the end zone. That resulted in a safety for the Rams and two points. After the free kick, the Rams offense finally broke through. Lawrence McCutcheon scored on a two yard run making the score 27-9. But time was not on the Rams side as just over six minutes remained in the game. That would in fact be the last points of the game. The Oakland Raiders behind a staunch defensive performance win Super Bowl VIII and are the Champions of 1973. MVP: Daryle Lamonica QB (Oakland) Passing: 177 yards, 3 TD, 145 Rating For Oakland, Clarence Davis 14 carries for 63 yards...Marv Hubbard 11 carries for 57 yards...Mike Siani 5 catches, 76 yards, 2 TD. For Los Angeles, Lawrence McCutcheon 15 carries for 56 yards...John Hadl 9/20, 103 yards, INT...Isiah Robertson 11 tackles. |