NFL team season
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
1972 Kansas City Chiefs roster Quarterbacks Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen Defensive linemen
Linebackers Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists Practice squad
Rookies in italics
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
Founded in 1960 Formerly the Dallas Texans (1960–1962) Based and headquartered in Kansas City , Missouri Franchise Stadiums Key personnel Culture Lore Rivalries Wild card berths (10) Division championships (16) Conference championships (4) League championships (5) Retired numbers Media Current league affiliations Former league affiliation
Formerly the Dallas Texans (1960–1962)