The 1972 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise 's third season in the National Football League , tenth as the Kansas City Chiefs , and thirteenth overall. The Chiefs moved into the new Arrowhead Stadium and ended with an 8–6 record, runner-up in the AFC West , but missed the playoffs .[ 1]
The last original member of the franchise (1960 Dallas Texans ) departed on July 12 when safety Johnny Robinson announced his retirement at training camp.[ 2] Starting quarterback Len Dawson ended speculation about his retirement and signed a two-year contract. Franchise owner Lamar Hunt became the first AFL figure to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on July 29;[ 3] Dawson was inducted in 1987 and Robinson in 2019 .
After two different construction strikes and a myriad of other delays, Arrowhead Stadium was officially dedicated on August 12,[ 4] when the Chiefs registered a 24–14 preseason victory over the St. Louis Cardinals . On a very warm Saturday night with an attendance of 78,190, running back Ed Podolak scored the first touchdown in the facility.[ 5] [ 6] Regular season ticket prices for this first season at Arrowhead were eight dollars for box seats and $7 for reserved seating.[ 3]
In the opener on September 17, the Chiefs lost 20–10 to Miami (the first win of their perfect season) in the first regular season game at the new Arrowhead Stadium, in front of a crowd of 79,829.[ 3] [ 7] A standing-room-only crowd of 82,094 was in attendance for a 27–14 victory over division rival Oakland on November 5,[ 8] the largest “in-house” attendance total for an NFL contest in Arrowhead's history.[ 3] After a 5–3 start, a three-game losing streak effectively eliminated the club from playoff contention.[ 9] An 8–6 record was only good enough for a second-place finish in the AFC West, 2½ games behind Oakland.[ 1] Linebacker Willie Lanier became the first Chiefs player to receive the prestigious NFL Man of the Year Award in the offseason.[ 3]
In week six, the Chiefs dropped a shocking 21–20 decision at home to the lowly Philadelphia Eagles , who entered the game 0–5 and won only once more (also a one-point victory, over the Houston Oilers , who finished 1–13). It was the only time the Chiefs and Eagles met until 1992 ,[ 10] and Kansas City did not visit Philadelphia until 1998 .[ 11]
Round
Pick
Player
Position
School/club team
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
Recap
1
September 17
Miami Dolphins
L 10–20
0–1
Arrowhead Stadium
79,829
Recap
2
at New Orleans Saints
W 20–17
1–1
Tulane Stadium
70,793
Recap
3
October 1
at Denver Broncos
W 45–24
2–1
Mile High Stadium
51,656
Recap
4
October 8
at Cleveland Browns
W 31–7
3–1
Cleveland Stadium
83,819
Recap
5
October 15
Cincinnati Bengals
L 16–23
3–2
Arrowhead Stadium
79,068
Recap
6
October 22
Philadelphia Eagles
L 20–21
3–3
Arrowhead Stadium
78,389
Recap
7
October 29
at San Diego Chargers
W 26–14
4–3
San Diego Stadium
54,533
Recap
8
November 5
Oakland Raiders
W 27–14
5–3
Arrowhead Stadium
82,094
Recap
9
November 12
at Pittsburgh Steelers
L 7–16
5–4
Three Rivers Stadium
50,350
Recap
10
November 19
San Diego Chargers
L 17–27
5–5
Arrowhead Stadium
79,011
Recap
11
November 26
at Oakland Raiders
L 3–26
5–6
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
54,801
Recap
12
December 3
Denver Broncos
W 24–21
6–6
Arrowhead Stadium
66,725
Recap
13
December 10
Baltimore Colts
W 24–10
7–6
Arrowhead Stadium
44,175
Recap
14
December 17
at Atlanta Falcons
W 17–14
8–6
Atlanta Stadium
58,850
Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins
edit
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIA – Garo Yepremian 47-yard field goal. Dolphins 10–0.
MIA – Larry Csonka 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 17–0.
Third quarter
MIA – Garo Yepremian 15-yard field goal. Dolphins 20–0.
KC – Jan Stenerud 40-yard field goal. Dolphins 20–3.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 2: at New Orleans Saints
edit
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
KC – Otis Taylor 21-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Tied 17–17.
KC – Jan Stenerud 22-yard field goal. Chiefs 20–17.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 3: at Denver Broncos
edit
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
KC – Jeff Kinney 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 10–7.
DEN – Jim Turner 16-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
KC – Otis Taylor 29-yard pass from Mike Livingston (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 31–17.
KC – Jim Kearney 43-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 38–17.
DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Chiefs 38–24.
KC – Jim Kearney 32-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 45–24.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 4: at Cleveland Browns
edit
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
KC – Mike Adamle 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 28–7.
Fourth quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 34-yard field goal. Chiefs 31–7.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
edit
Week 5: Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bengals
3
0
7 13 23
Chiefs
0
3
10 3 16
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : October 15Game time : 3:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : 47 °F (8.3 °C), relative humidity 56%, wind 11 mphGame attendance : 79,068Referee : Fred Swearingen TV announcers (NBC) : Charlie Jones and Al De RogatisBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
CIN – Speedy Thomas 7-yard pass from Ken Anderson (Horst Mühlmann kick). Bengals 17–13.
CIN – Horst Mühlmann 12-yard field goal. Bengals 20–13.
CIN – Horst Mühlmann 16-yard field goal. Bengals 23–13.
KC – Jan Stenerud 43-yard field goal. Bengals 23–16.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 6: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
edit
Week 6: Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Eagles
14
7
0 0 21
Chiefs
0
6
7 7 20
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : October 22Game time : 1:00 p.m. CDTGame weather : 55 °F (12.8 °C), relative humidity 92%, wind 13 mphGame attendance : 78,389Referee : Bob FredericTV announcers (CBS ) : Don Criqui , Irv Cross and Jim ThackerBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
PHI – Harold Jackson 41-yard pass from Pete Liske (Tom Dempsey kick). Eagles 21–0.
KC – Jan Stenerud 31-yard field goal. Eagles 21–3.
KC – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal. Eagles 21–6.
Third quarter
KC – Ed Podolak 11-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Eagles 21–13.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 7: at San Diego Chargers
edit
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 50-yard field goal. Chargers 7–6.
KC – Ed Podolak 6-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 13–7.
Fourth quarter
KC – Jan Stenerud 15-yard field goal. Chiefs 16–7.
SD – Mike Garrett 3-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chiefs 16–14.
KC – Robert West 8-yard fumble return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 23–14.
KC – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal. Chiefs 26–14.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
KC – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 86 yards
SD – Cid Edwards – 7 receptions, 93 yards
Week 8: vs. Oakland Raiders
edit
Week 8: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Raiders
0
0
7 7 14
Chiefs
0
17
3 7 27
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : November 5Game time : 3:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : 53 °F (11.7 °C), relative humidity 60%, wind 12 mphGame attendance : 82,094Referee : Pat Haggerty TV announcers (NBC) : Curt Gowdy and Al De RogatisBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 9: at Pittsburgh Steelers
edit
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
PIT – Roy Gerela 10-yard field goal. Chiefs 7–6.
PIT – Roy Gerela 49-yard field goal. Steelers 9–7.
PIT – Franco Harris 7-yard run (Roy Gerela kick). Steelers 16–7.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 10: vs. San Diego Chargers
edit
Week 10: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
7
17
3 0 27
Chiefs
7
0
3 7 17
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : November 19Game time : 1:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : 32 °F (0.0 °C), relative humidity 81%, wind 11 mph, wind chill 23Game attendance : 79,011Referee : Jack Reader TV announcers (NBC) : Jim Simpson and Kyle RoteBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SD – Dennis Partee 46-yard field goal. Chargers 10–7.
SD – John Hadl 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 17–7.
SD – Gary Garrison 20-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 24–7.
Third quarter
SD – Dennis Partee 24-yard field goal. Chargers 27–7.
KC – Jan Stenerud 28-yard field goal. Chargers 27–10.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
SD – Cid Edwards – 6 receptions, 82 yards
KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 61 yards
Week 11: at Oakland Raiders
edit
Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chiefs
0
3
0 0 3
Raiders
10
13
0 3 26
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum , Oakland, California
Date : November 26Game time : 1:00 p.m. PSTGame weather : 50 °F (10.0 °C), relative humidity 88%, wind 8 mphGame attendance : 54,801Referee : Ben Dreith TV announcers (NBC) : Curt Gowdy and Al De RogatisBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
OAK – George Blanda 25-yard field goal. Raiders 26–3.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos
edit
Week 12: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
7
7
0 7 21
Chiefs
0
10
14 0 24
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : December 3Game time : 1:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : 30 °F (−1.1 °C), relative humidity 68%, wind 19 mph, wind chill 18Game attendance : 66,725Referee : John McDonough TV announcers (NBC) : Ross Porter and Willie DavisBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
KC – Ed Podolak 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 17–14.
KC – Bobby Bell 61-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 24–14.
Fourth quarter
DEN – Fran Lynch 8-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Chiefs 24–21.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
DEN – Haven Moses – 4 receptions, 57 yards, TD
KC – Ed Podolak – 3 receptions, 34 yards
Week 13: vs. Baltimore Colts
edit
Week 13: Baltimore Colts at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Colts
0
10
0 0 10
Chiefs
3
7
7 7 24
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Date : December 10Game time : 3:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : 8 °F (−13.3 °C), relative humidity 56%, wind 11 mph, wind chill -8Game attendance : 44,175Referee : Fred Wyant TV announcers (NBC) : Bill Enis and Paul Maguire Box score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
KC – Otis Taylor 25-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 17–10.
Fourth quarter
KC – Ed Podolak 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 24–10.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
BAL – Jim O'Brien – 2 receptions, 59 yards
KC – Wendell Hayes – 5 receptions, 55 yards, TD
Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons
edit
Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Chiefs
0
3
7 7 17
Falcons
0
7
0 7 14
at Atlanta Stadium , Atlanta, Georgia
Date : December 17Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : 27 °F (−2.8 °C), relative humidity 35%, wind 15 mph, wind chill 15Game attendance : 58,850Referee : Norm Schachter TV announcers (NBC) : Curt Gowdy and Al De RogatisBox score
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ATL – Ken Burrow 17-yard pass from Bob Berry (Bill Bell kick). Falcons 14–10.
KC – Ed Podolak 7-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 17–14.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
^ a b "Chiefs wrap it up on winning note" . Lawrence Daily Journal World . (Kansas). Associated Press. December 18, 1972. p. 28.
^ "Chiefs begin trying to fill Robinson void" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . (Kansas). Associated Press. July 13, 1972. p. 21.
^ a b c d e "Kansas City Chiefs History 1970s" . Archived from the original on August 23, 2007. Retrieved July 30, 2007 .
^ "Kinney slated for long look against Cards" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . (Kansas). Associated Press. August 12, 1972. p. 12.
^ "Chiefs blitz Cards" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). Associated Press. August 13, 1972. p. 2C.
^ Woodling, Chuck (August 14, 1972). "KC's Disneyland finally arrives, but don't look at lights" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . (Kansas). p. 18.
^ Woodling, Chuck (September 18, 1972). "Miami topples sluggish Chiefs" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . (Kansas). p. 24.
^ "Dawson's TD passes carry Chiefs, 27-14" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . (Kansas). Associated Press. November 6, 1972. p. 21.
^ "KC licks wounds after Raider loss" . Lawrence Daily Journal-World . (Kansas). Associated Press. November 27, 1972. p. 17.
^ Urena, Ivan; Pro Football Schedules: A Complete Historical Guide from 1933 to the Present , p. 18 ISBN 0786473517
^ Urena; Pro Football Schedules , p. 17