Bradley Ruzicka

Headline: Quarterback carousel produces erratic, disappointing season for Head Coach Dan Devine and the Green Bay Packers.

Regular Season Record: 5 – 7 – 2 (Third Place NFC Central Division)

Offseason Highlights: Despite tensions between various players and Head Coach Dan Devine by season’s end, the Green Bay Packers finished 1972 with a 10-4 record, combining a strong rushing attack, a revitalized kicking game, and an aggressive young defense to win their division. However, an ineffective passing game threatened to derail Green Bay’s future title ambitions. The Washington Redskins, in their 16-3 playoff win, provided the blueprint for defeating the Packers, using a five-man front to stop the run, daring Devine and his offense to beat them through the air. For the Redskins, it was a successful strategy, limiting Green Bay to 78 yards on 29 carries (2.7 yards per carry).

One area of the passing game in need of a serious upgrade was the receiving corps. According to Stanton Greene in his book, The Green Bay Packers The Dan Devine Years 1971-1974, “Certainly the [receivers were] among the weakest in the league. … Devine understood this weakness intimately. How he would address it would determine his future in Green Bay.” Devine’s answer was to use his first-round pick in the 1973 NFL Draft, 21st overall, on Florida State Wide Receiver Barry Smith. In his senior year, Smith was named first team All-American when he led the nation in both receiving yards (1,243) and touchdowns (13) with 69 catches, second overall, in only ten games.

Unfortunately for the Packers, Smith lasted just three seasons, catching a total of 41 passes for 604 yards (14.7 yards per reception) and 4 touchdowns during that time, never exceeding 300 receiving yards in a season, before finishing his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976. Surprisingly, given Devine’s declining confidence in his starting signal caller, Scott Hunter, over the course of the past season, the head coach chose not to draft a quarterback in 1973. In the process, he passed over future Hall of Famer Dan Fouts. Over his 15-year career, Fouts went on to complete 3,297 of 5,604 (58.8%) for 43,040 yards, 254 touchdowns, 242 interceptions, for an 80.2 QBR.

Prior to the draft, on January 9, another of Vince Lombardi’s star players retired, future Hall of Fame linebacker Dave Robinson. The three-time Pro Bowler and two time All-Pro played ten seasons for Green Bay, starting 105 out of 127 games. He intercepted 21 passes for 322 yards while recording 22 sacks. A few days before the draft, Devine traded Robinson’s rights to Washington for a 1975 second round pick. Head Coach George Allen subsequently talked him out of retirement. Robinson went on to play two years with the Redskins, starting every game, intercepting 6 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown while adding 6.5 sacks, before retiring for good after the 1974 season.

Years later, Robinson remarked, “Devine traded me to Washington. And that was fine because I wasn’t going to play for him anymore.” In his book, Stanton Greene stated, “In numerous interviews, Robinson has stated his antipathy toward Devine, saying that he thought him the worst coach he ever played for at any level.” Devine subsequently drafted two linebackers, Minnesota’s Tom MacLeod (third round) and Idaho State’s Tom Toner (sixth round), to take Robinson’s place. MacLeod went on to start ten games and Toner four in 1973, totaling 3 interceptions. The next offseason, MacLeod was traded to the Baltimore Colts as part of a deal for future Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks.

Toner played four seasons, all in Green Bay, starting 22 out of 53 games, intercepting a total of four passes. According to Greene, “After [Toner], the draft was a washout with one major exception. Almost as an afterthought, the Packers took a center in the twelfth round, [Illinois’s] Larry McCarren [(308th overall)].” Taking over for ten-year veteran Ken Bowman, put on injured reserve prior to the start of the 1974 season, McCarren went on to start 162 consecutive games over his 12-year Packers career, the team’s fourth longest consecutive games start streak at that time. Nicknamed “The Rock” in honor of his durability, McCarren was also selected to play in two Pro Bowls (1982 & 1983).

After he retired in 1984, McCarren was hired as sports anchor for a local Green Bay TV station in 1988. He went on to become a color commentator and game analyst on the “Packers Radio Network” with Jim Irwin and former Packers wide receiver Max McGee in 1995. He was subsequently teamed with play-by-play announcer Wayne Larrivee on radio broadcasts beginning in 1999, continuing to present day. “The Rock” was honored as the Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year four times (1994, 1996, 2002, 2007) by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. All in all, 1973’s draft, Devine’s first without long time personnel director Pat Peppler, was his least productive to date.

In addition to Robinson, backup linebacker Tommy Joe Crutcher retired prior to spring training camp. Crutcher played six of his eight seasons in Green Bay, including three of their NFL title teams (1965-67). A third linebacker, future Hall of Famer Ray Nitschke, next retired on August 28. Selected 36th overall out of Illinois in 1958, Nitschke was part of what is considered possibly the greatest draft in franchise history. The two-time All-Pro subsequently anchored Lombardi’s defense through their five championship seasons during the 1960s, starting 150 out of 190 games while totaling 25 interceptions for 385 yards and 2 touchdowns along with 16 sacks during his 15 years in the league.

In addition to the retirements, Devine decided to release another Lombardi veteran, wide receiver Carroll Dale, at the end of training camp. After 13 years, eight in Green Bay, the three-time Pro Bowler played one more season for the Minnesota Vikings before retiring, ending a career that began with the Los Angeles Rams in 1960. After the Packers acquired Dale in a 1965 trade, the speedy wideout went on to catch 275 passes for 5,422 yards (19.7 yards per catch) and 35 touchdowns. By the start of the 1973 season, the last remnants of the Lombardi era were all but gone, with only center Ken Bowman, guard Gale Gillingham, and defensive tackle Bob Brown remaining.

Finally, Bart Starr resigned as quarterbacks coach on January 10, leaving Green Bay after 16 years as a player and one as an assistant coach to return to Alabama. Starr’s disagreement with Devine over play calling, particularly during the Washington playoff game, undoubtedly played a role in his departure. Also, according to Stanton Greene, Starr had head coaching offers on the table from both Los Angeles and the Philadelphia Eagles. In the end, the future Hall of Famer decided to focus on his auto dealership as well as become a CBS color commentator. Instead of replacing Starr, the head coach chose to divide the play calling between himself and offensive line coach Rollie Dotsch.

In total, four 1973 picks were ultimately selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: the 4th overall, Alabama Guard John Hannah (New England Patriots), the 23rd, Southern Mississippi Punter Ray Guy (Oakland Raiders), the 26th, Michigan State Guard Joe DeLamielleure (Buffalo Bills), and the 64th, Oregon Quarterback Dan Fouts (San Diego Chargers). Also, one undrafted free agent would make his way to Canton, OH, Tulsa Wide Receiver Drew Pearson. Picked up by the Dallas Cowboys, Pearson made the squad due to his special teams play. Injuries to Otto Stowe and Mike Montgomery then elevated the MVC yards per catch leader to starting status, and he never looked back.

Of note, major changes were made to tiebreaking and television blackout rules. First, tiebreaker rules used in determining division winners and playoff teams were changed to start with head-to-head competition, followed by division, common opponent, and conference records. Congress next forced the NFL to eliminate the television blackouts of games in the home market, so long as the game is sold out 72 hours before kickoff. In 1972, all NFL home games (including championship games and Super Bowls) were blacked-out on television in each team’s respective city. However, after the Redskins playoff game was blacked out, Washington politicians passed a law to change the rule.

Lastly, beginning with the 1973 season, the Buffalo Bills would play their home games in Rich Stadium, located in the suburb of Orchard Park, after 13 years of playing in War Memorial Stadium, otherwise known as the “Rockpile”. Brock Yates of Sports Illustrated jokingly wrote in 1969 that the stadium, “looks as if whatever war it was a memorial to had been fought within its confines.” Meanwhile, beginning in the season’s fourth week, the New York Giants had to play in New Haven, Connecticut’s Yale Bowl for the rest of 1973 and all of 1974 while Yankee Stadium was renovated. It would be three years before the team could move to the new Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Regular Season Highlights: The Green Bay Packers failed to follow-up on their 1972 first place finish, falling to third place behind the 12-2 Minnesota Vikings and the 6-7-1 Detroit Lions in the NFC Central Division. Minnesota started the season with nine wins and were never threatened. For Green Bay, it was an erratic season; a win here, a loss there, a couple of ties, with the team unable to put together back-to-back victories. The result was a 5-7-2 record. According to Lew Feedman’s book, The Packers Experience, nothing illustrated Devine’s frustration more than a 34-0 loss to Detroit on October 28. “It was a very, very, very horrible, nightmarish type of game. I’m personally humiliated.”

Devine had declared at the end of last season that the quarterback position would be an open competition, a disappointment for third year starter Scott Hunter, having led the Packers to a division title. Just three weeks into the preseason and despite what Hunter felt was a good outing against the Houston Oilers on August 18, Devine decided neither he nor second year backup Jerry Tagge had shown enough to be his starter and that another option was required. On August 22, the head coach traded two second round draft picks (1974 & 1975) to the Miami Dolphins for Jim Del Gazio, an unproven third year reserve quarterback who, to date, had thrown only nine regular season passes.

Del Gaizo made the Dolphins’ roster as an undrafted free agent out of Tampa in 1971, spent the season on Miami’s taxi squad as the third-string quarterback, and was never elevated to the active roster. The next year, he ascended to the 40-man roster after the fifth week, becoming the second-string quarterback behind veteran Earl Morrall after starter Bob Griese went down with a season ending ankle injury. Del Gazio ultimately made a total of four appearances, completing 5 of 9 for 165 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and a 100.5 QBR. The vast majority of his experience was accumulated in relief of Morrall during November 12th’s 52-0 victory over the 2-7 New England Patriots.

According to Stanton Greene, “Devine became enamored of the young ballplayer, who had less experience than either of [his] current quarterbacks.” For some reason, Devine felt optimistic his newest acquisition could lead the Packers’ offense, stating “We traded for him because this is the first opportunity we’ve had to trade for a quality player for a reasonable price.” This despite the availability of proven signal callers such as Detroit’s Bill Munson or the Atlanta Falcons’ Bob Berry, for likely a similar price. But the coach seemed confident that Del Gazio was the best choice to stabilize a volatile quarterback situation. “[Both] Hunter and Tagge must have felt like they’d been kicked in the teeth.”

Ultimately, Devine chose Hunter to start the opener after Del Gazio suffered a rib injury in the fifth preseason game. Yet, despite the uncertainty at quarterback, Greene stated that “With a playoff season under their belts, it was assumed that the next generation of Packers were ready to step up and provide the veteran leadership necessary to go to the next level.” Guard Gale Gillingham and tight end Rich McGeorge were back in the starting lineup after missing all but the first two weeks of last season due to injury. Del Gazio was waiting in the wings, and great things were expected of rookie wide receiver Barry Smith. Fans would soon know if this team was capable of fulfilling its potential.

Initially, it looked like Green Bay was ready to pick up where they left off at the end of last season. On a Monday night in Milwaukee County Stadium, they decisively defeated the New York Jets, 23-7. Hunter completed 6 of 13 for 107 yards with no interceptions. McGeorge caught a 19-yard pass from Hunter for a touchdown. Greene observed that “Barry Smith was fast and often open”, catching one pass for 21 yards. The Pack ran for 155 yards on 48 carries, with two-time Pro Bowl halfback John Brockington scoring a touchdown. The defense forced three turnovers (2 fumbles, 1 interception). And All-Pro Chester Marcol scored 11 of the team’s 23 points (3 field goals, 2 extra points).

It appeared Devine would stay with the same formula that brought the team success in 1972, despite being humbled by the Washington Redskins in the playoffs. However, unlike last season, Hunter would be constantly looking over his shoulder. The coach hinted as much during a presser prior to the opening game, “It will take quite a bit to dislodge him [Hunter]. … Then again, you look at Del Gazio and what he can do and this changes the picture quite a bit.” When the offense stalled the next week against Detroit, Devine didn’t hesitate to pull his starter in favor of Del Gazio with just 1:53 left in the game, creating an early quarterback controversy that lasted the entire season.

With Green Bay down 13-10 in Lambeau Field, Del Gazio led the Packers downfield, completing 3 of 8 for 63 yards, before the drive stalled at the Lions 11-yard line. Marcol kicked a 24-yard field goal to salvage a 13-13 tie. Devine was subsequently undecided during the next week over who would be the starter on the road against Minnesota. It was game time before he named Del Gazio. In the end, it didn’t matter, as the Vikings held the Packers’ offense to 160 total yards (90 rushing and 70 passing) for an 11-3 victory. This time, Hunter replaced Del Gazio in the fourth quarter, but neither proved effective, totaling only 7 completions out of 20 attempts for 80 yards and 1 interception.

Brockington and halfback MacArthur Lane were held to 58 and 36 yards respectively. The defense gave up 284 net yards, 206 on the ground, but did not allow a touchdown while forcing four turnovers. Unfortunately, like Washington in last season’s divisional playoff, teams were using five-man fronts to slow the Packers’ rushing attack, putting pressure on an anemic passing game and on a defense that was now thin at linebacker due to the retirement of veterans such as Dave Robinson. In addition, Marcol wasn’t converting field goals he had made previously, missing four over the past two games. Devine’s usual formula for success was struggling to produce the anticipated results.

Despite going only 4 of 14 for 36 yards against Minnesota, Del Gazio made his second start the next week against the New York Giants. Again, he was ineffective, completing a miserable 1 of 4 for -4 yards and 2 interceptions. Once more, Devine went to Hunter, this time at the beginning of the second half. He proceeded to rally the Packers to a 16-14 win, completing 6 of 7 for 86 yards and a 117.9 QBR. Brockington bounced back with 71 yards on 20 carries. Marcol scored 10 of Green Bay’s 16 points but also missed two field goals. In total, the offense was held to 200 yards, including a net 75 passing yards. Meanwhile, the defense held New York to 231 yards and forced four turnovers.

Although it had been a shaky first month, the 2-1-1 Packers were still in the hunt, one and a half games behind the 4-0 Vikings. However, the revolving door at quarterback continued into the fifth week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Back in Milwaukee, Hunter (6 of 11, 64 yards, 71.8 QBR) started but was soon replaced by Del Gazio (6 of 12, 89 yards, 62.8 QBR) when Hunter suffered a rib injury. In the second quarter, Del Gazio tossed a 26-yard touchdown to fourth year wide receiver Jon Staggers, in his second season with Green Bay. Unfortunately, he also gave up two interceptions. The running game totaled 160 yards, with Brockington gaining 106 on 15 carries (7.1 per attempt).

Marcol hit a second period 46-yard field goal but also suffered two blocked attempts. Another opportunity was wasted when the Packers failed to score from Kansas City’s 1 yard line. All in all, this was the one that got away as the Packers outgained the Chiefs, 315 to 149 yards, a rare offensive outburst, but had to settle for a 10-10 tie. At 2-1-2, Green Bay was still in second place but falling further behind undefeated Minnesota. The offense was struggling to score, with only 13 points per game. On the other hand, the defense was hanging tough, allowing a meager 11 points per contest. Also, the Packers had given up just eight turnovers while forcing 15 for a +7-turnover differential.

However, any hope for a second title evaporated over the next three weeks. The team went into a tailspin, losing on the road to the Los Angeles Rams, 24-7, and Detroit, 34-0, before falling to Chicago, 31-17, in Lambeau Field. Against the Rams, Devine said it best the day after the loss when he told the Milwaukee Journal, “We got dominated in every aspect of the game.” Los Angeles embarrassed Green Bay, outgaining them 378 to 63 yards. Hunter, whose play during the first five weeks had actually improved over last year (27 of 49, 381 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception), started his fourth game. However, on this day, he was only 4 of 10 for 48 yards with 1 interception (15.8 QBR).

Meanwhile, Brockington and Lane together could muster just 26 rushing yards. Rams defensive end Fred Dryer set an ignominious NFL record with two safeties in a single game when he sacked Hunter and Del Gazio in the end zone on consecutive series. Worst of all, the Packer defense suffered a demoralizing loss in the first half when last year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, cornerback Willie Buchanon, went down for the remainder of the season with a broken leg. Hunter vowed the team would come roaring back against the Lions. Instead, it was a rerun of last week. Green Bay was once more dominated, 329 to 63 total yards with 263 to 60 rushing and 66 to 3 net passing yards.

Del Gazio made his third start of the season, completing 5 of 9 for 33 yards and a 63.7 QBR, but was forced out in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and would miss the next month. Hunter took over but only managed to complete 1 of 10 for -4 yards, threw another interception, and finished with an unbelievable QBR of 0.0. Unfortunately, the nightmare was not yet over. With Del Gazio injured, Hunter got the start against the 2-5 Bears. It would turn out to be his last game action as a Packer. Surprisingly, Green Bay was favored to win despite their struggles over the past two weeks. They led 17-10 at the end of the second quarter but could not contain Bobby Douglas in the second half.

The fifth-year quarterback went 10 of 15 for 118 yards while rushing for 100 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries. Meanwhile, Hunter completed just 3 of 15 for 17 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Once more, the Packers were outclassed, giving up 337 yards while gaining just 98. Over three games, the Packers had been outgained 1,044 to 224 yards and outscored 89 to 24. In addition, injuries were piling up on both offense and defense, particularly along the offensive line. For all intents and purposes, Green Bay’s season was effectively over. It was also at this point that Devine decided neither Hunter nor Del Gazio would be the Packers long term answer at quarterback.

Reluctantly, with six games left, Devine turned to Tagge. At 2-4-2, Green Bay was in the division cellar, far behind the undefeated Vikings. “You wouldn’t have been surprised to see them take a dive and lose every game left on the schedule,” said Greene. But the team pulled together to beat the St. Louis Cardinals. Gillingham stepped up before the game and railed the troops. Afterwards, the three-time Pro Bowler observed, “This is a helluva bunch of guys. They could have folded their tents awfully easy, but they didn’t.” Brockington carried 28 times for 136 yards and a touchdown while Marcol converted all four of his field goals (13 points), powering the Packers to a 25-21 victory at Lambeau.

Tagge, who found out he was starting only a few hours before the game, was a modest 7 of 14 for 67 yards, a rushing touchdown, and no turnovers. On the road against the 2-7 Patriots, Tagge started again and had his best game as a professional, completing 17 of 23 for 267 yards and a 93.9 QBR. However, after Green Bay had taken what seemed to be a commanding 24-9 lead early in the third quarter, the defense collapsed. Led by 1971’s first overall pick, quarterback Jim Plunkett, New England scored 24 unanswered points to beat Green Bay, 33-24. The Heisman Trophy winner threw for 348 yards and was responsible for all three touchdowns, two through the air and one on the ground.

In total, the defense surrendered 456 yards to an underdog Patriots team. The Packers would do no better the next week against the San Francisco 49ers in a 20-6 road loss. Tagge was 10 of 17 for 107 yards but threw 2 interceptions, giving way to Del Gazio (4 of 7, 40 yards, 1 interception), back from injury for the first time since late October. At 3-6-2, with five losses in their last six games, and their playoff hopes long gone, Devine decided to stick with Tagge as his starter for the season’s last three games. Hunter was demoted to the taxi squad and would not return. Del Gazio saw his last action in Green Bay against Minnesota in the second to last week when he took over late in the game.

Down 31-0 in the fourth period after three Tagge interceptions, the former Dolphin threw just his second touchdown pass of the regular season, a 17 yarder to Barry Smith, in a 31-7 beatdown. Despite the heavy price Devine paid to acquire Del Gazio from Miami, he started only three times, finishing with a 1-2 record, completing 27 of 69 (43.5%) for 318 yards, 2 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, and a paltry 30.8 QBR, the worst of all the Packer quarterbacks. In spite of the pronouncements by noted football analyst Dennis Ruzicka, who once described Del Gazio as the greatest Green Bay quarterback ever, Devine traded him to the Giants in 1974 after only one season in a Packers’ uniform.

The question at season’s end was the same as the one at the start, why Del Gazio? In his book, Greene speculates on a possible answer. “The Del Gazio deal is as baffling as the Hadl trade. [NOTE: In 1974, Devine traded five high round draft choices to the Rams for John Hadl after he had been benched.] Pat Peppler [former Green Bay player personnel director] was in Miami. Did he mislead Devine, overstating Del Gazio’s value, assuring him he was better than either Hunter or Tagge? From some reports, there was no love lost between Devine and Peppler and yet guys in these positions tend to trust each other as they were part of the old boy network, or so Devine might have believed.”

Meanwhile, prior to his deactivation, Hunter started a total of five games, going 1-2-2, completing 35 of 84 (41.7%) for 442 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and a 46.8 QBR. Tagge finished the year with a record of 3-3, winning two out of the Packers last three games, 30-10 over the New Orleans Saints and 21-7 over Chicago in the finale. In total, he completed 56 of 106 (52.8%) for 720 yards, 2 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 53.2 QBR. However, Tagge threw six of those interceptions in his last four starts. By the end of the season, while it was rapidly becoming clear he lacked the physical tools to be effective at a high level in the NFL, Tagge had kept the offense respectable.

Overall, Green Bay finished 12th in rushing (1,973), 24th in passing (1,283), and 22nd in scoring (202), down from 1972’s 304 points. Passing yards were the least since 1946 (841), with 7 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. A continued inability to throw the ball as well as injuries to the offensive line contributed to a falloff in rushing yards from last season’s total (2,127). Yet, despite the offensive decline, Brockington gained his most yards on the ground to date, with 1,144 on 265 attempts (4.3 yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns. Five times Brockington ran for over 100 yards in a game, one less than his six total over the previous two years, averaging 81.7 yards per game, third overall.

The three-time Pro Bowler became the first NFL player to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. Also, for the second time in three years, Brockington was second in the league in rushing yards, behind only the Buffalo Bills’ O.J. Simpson (2,003). However, Lane, in sixth season and his second with the Packers, saw his totals decline dramatically from 821 yards, 4.6 yards per carry, and 3 touchdowns in 1972 to just 528 yards, a disappointing 3.1 yards per carry, and 1 touchdown in 1973. Lane did lead Green Bay in receptions with 27 for 255 yards (9.4 yards per catch) and a single touchdown. No other Packer gained more than 100 rushing yards total for the season.

Staggers finished second in receptions with 25 after a total of 22 in his first three years as a professional. The former Pittsburgh Steeler led Green Bay in both receiving yards (412) and yards per reception (16.5). After 5 catches for 93 yards in the first two weeks, Barry Smith added just 10 more receptions the rest of the season, finishing with 15 for 233 yards (15.5 yards per catch) and 2 touchdowns. Out most of last year, McGeorge had, what was for him, a down season with 16 catches for 260 yards (16.3 yards per reception) and 1 touchdown. The fourth-year tight end would total less than 20 catches only once in his last five years. Brockington also caught 16 passes for 128 yards.

The kicking game proved to be another disappointment. Marcol, in his second season, lacked 1972’s consistency. His point totals declined from a league high 128 on 33 of 48 fields goals (68.8%) and 29 of 29 extra points to only 82 on 21 of 35 field goals (60.0%) and one missed extra point (19 of 20). Sixth year punter Ron Widby, also in his second year with the Packers, injured his back in the twelfth week and would never play again. Prior to his injury, the 28-year-old was having another solid season (43.1 yard per kick), sixth in the league. Free agent Paul Staroba (31.1) was brought in to finish the season. Ike Thomas’s kickoff return average slipped from 27.2, seventh overall in 1972, to 22.9.

Yet, in a season of disappointments, the decline of Green Bay’s defense was the most impactful. Last season, they powered the Packers to the top of the division, finishing second against the run (1,517), eighth against the pass (1,957), and fourth in points allowed (226). But the loss of Buchanon in the sixth week as well as the departure of veterans such as Robinson during the offseason contributed to a huge drop-off in 1973. Green Bay finished 13th against the run (1,999), 11th against the pass (1,822), and 14th in points allowed (259). Neither Buchanon’s replacement, free agent pick-up Perry Smith, nor Robinson’s, rookies Tom MacLeod and Tom Toner, could fill the large void.

Overall, experience has shown that quarterback controversies with two men in the mix are rarely considered healthy. With three players vying for one spot in 1973, things got really messy. The team’s trainer, Dominic Gentile, indicated in a 1995 interview that he felt switching quarterbacks in the season’s third week was the beginning of the end for Devine and the Packers. Said Gentile, “I think one of Devine’s biggest mistakes was changing quarterbacks early in the season. That destroyed Hunter and fragmented the team.” But Greene felt that “Despite the mess, Devine had not lost the team.” Players like linebacker Jim Carter, defensive end Aaron Brown, and others still believed in him.

Super Bowl Champion Miami, Minnesota, and Los Angeles finished tied for the NFL’s best record at 12-2, wining the AFC East, NFC Central, and NFC West respectively. The Dallas Cowboys (NFC East) and the Cincinnati Bengals (AFC Central) finished tied for second-best at 10-4. The Oakland Raiders won the AFC West with a record of 9-4-1. The Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers were in the playoffs as the NFC and AFC Wild Card entrants respectively, both finishing at 10-4. Cincinnati edged out Pittsburgh based on a better conference record (8-3 to Steelers’ 7-4) while Dallas beat out Washington based on a better point differential in head-to-head games (13 points).

Of note during 1973 was an unusual series of big-name quarterback changes, starting with the San Diego Chargers obtaining the Baltimore Colts three-time MVP quarterback Johnny Unitas, bringing to an end an historic era in Baltimore history that started in 1956 when Unitas became the starter. After a franchise swap between long time Colts owner Carroll Rosenbloom and Rams owner Robert Irsay in July 1972, Irsay hired Joe Thomas to be his general manager. He immediately began cleaning house, letting go 38-year-old quarterback Earl Morrall. After Baltimore lost four of their first five, Thomas benched Unitas in favor of newly acquired Marty Domres for the rest of a 5-9 season.

On January 22, Unitas was traded to San Diego, reportedly for $150,000 in cash. This despite a 117-60-4 record and three NFL titles during his 17 years with the Colts. San Diego Owner Gene Klein wanted a big name who would sell tickets, and he got it with Unitas. However, the five time All-Pro started the 1973 season with a 38-0 loss to the Redskins, going 6 of 17 for just 55 yards and 3 interceptions. His final win as a starter was against Buffalo the next week. Looking like the old Unitas, he finished 10 of 18 for 175 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a 125.9 QBR in a 34-7 rout. But the moment wouldn’t last. Despite the victory, the 40-year-old was nearing the end of his legendary career.

By the end of the season’s third week, many were raising doubts about Unitas’s role as a starter. Although he went 15 of 31 for 215 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception, the Chargers lost to Cincinnati, 20-13, dropping San Diego to a record of 1-2. That 12-yard touchdown pass to third year running back Bob Thomas in the fourth quarter would turn out to be Unitas’s last. The end came a week later against Pittsburgh when the ten-time Pro Bowler threw two interceptions, finishing 2 of 9 for 19 yards and a 0.0 QBR before being replaced in the second period by rookie third round pick Dan Fouts. Unitas would not start another game. He wanted to give it one more try in 1974, but his aging body simply wouldn’t allow it. After a single year with the Chargers, Unitas retired on July 24.

John Constantine Unitas finished his career having completed 2,830 of 5,186 (54.6%) for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns, 253 interceptions, and a 78.2 QBR. He also rushed for 1,777 yards and 13 touchdowns. After being drafted in the ninth round by Pittsburgh in 1955, Unitas was released prior to the season and was out of professional football until he was picked up by the Colts in 1956. Over the next 12 seasons, he won three MVP awards (1959, 1964, 1967) and led Baltimore to back-to-back NFL titles in 1958 and 1959. Unfortunately, Unitas tore the muscles in his throwing arm when he was hit in the last preseason game of 1968 and suffered from arm trouble the rest of his career.

Over his final six seasons, Unitas threw more interceptions (64) than touchdowns (38), averaged 124.4 yards per game, down from 215.8, and his passer rating plummeted from 82.9 to 60.4. Despite the decline, Unitas ended his career as the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 40,000 yards. In 1959, he was the first to throw 30 or more touchdown passes in a season (32). Unitas’s 47-game consecutive touchdown streak between 1956 and 1960 was a record that lasted more than 50 years until it was broken by the New Orleans Saints Drew Brees in 2012. For all that and more, Unitas was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility.

Meanwhile, the Unitas trade had a domino effect as San Diego quarterback John Hadl was subsequently dealt to Los Angeles for defensive end Coy Bacon and Bob Thomas on January 25. In his 12th year, Hadl proceeded to lead the Rams to a division title and his first playoff appearance since 1965, completing 135 of 258 (52.3%) for 2,008 yards, 22 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and an 88.8 QBR. A desperate Dan Devine traded for the 34-year-old midway through the 1974 season for a slew of high draft picks. Within two years, the six-time Pro Bowler was dealt by new Packers coach Bart Starr to the Houston Oilers in 1976, where Hadl ended his 16-year career after the 1977 season.

With Hadl now in Los Angeles, the team traded former NFL MVP quarterback Roman Gabriel to the Philadelphia Eagles on June 8. In return, the Rams received two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Harold Jackson and reserve running back Tony Baker as well as two first round draft picks (1974 & 1975) and a 1975 third round choice. In his 12th year, Gabriel went 270 of 460 for 3,219 yards, 23 touchdowns, and a 2.6 interception ratio, all league highs. His 86.0 QBR was good for fifth overall, giving the Eagles the most prolific passing offense during 1973. The 33-year-old played another four years for Philadelphia, before also retiring after the 1977 season, ending his 16-year career.

For his efforts, Gabriel was voted the PFWA Comeback Player of the Year. However, one player stood out above all others in 1973. Buffalo’s future Hall of Fame Running Back O.J. Simpson set an NFL rushing record with 2,003 yards in 332 attempts (6.0 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns, winning both Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year. Miami’s two-time All-Pro Safety Dick Anderson was voted Defensive Player of the Year. Minnesota Running Back Chuck Foreman won Offensive Rookie of the Year, while Chicago’s Defensive Tackle Wally Chambers was the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Los Angeles’s rookie Head Coach Chuck Knox won Coach of the Year.

Finally, after eleven years as the New York Jets head coach, Weeb Ewbank decided to retire. He will be forever remembered as the only man ever to win a championship in both the NFL and AFL. The two-time Coach of the Year led Baltimore to consecutive NFL titles (1958-59), including a 23-17 overtime victory over the Giants in the 1958 title game, otherwise known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played”. He then led the Jets to a 16-7 upset win over those same Colts in Super Bowl III, the game that established the legitimacy of the rival league. He was a head coach for 20 years, beginning in 1954, finishing with a 130-129-7 record. Ewbank was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978.

Post Season Highlights: The Minnesota Vikings kicked off the Divisional Playoffs in Metropolitan Stadium against the wild card Washington Redskins followed by the wild card Pittsburgh Steelers taking on the Oakland Raiders in the Coliseum. Next day, the Cincinnati Bengals challenged the Miami Dolphins in the Orange Bowl while the Dallas Cowboys hosted the Los Angeles Rams in Texas Stadium. Were the teams seeded by record, as would be the case starting in 1975, the AFC would have seen Oakland go to Cincinnati and Pittsburgh travel to Miami. In the NFC, Los Angeles would have been at home against Dallas and Minnesota would have been at home throughout the playoffs.

On December 22, future Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton, in his second year back in Minnesota, overcame a 13-10 fourth quarter deficit by throwing two touchdown passes to lead the Vikings to a victory over Washington, last season’s NFC Champion. The Redskins led their division for nine consecutive weeks but a loss to Dallas in their second to last game dropped them into a tie with the Cowboys. Each team finished 10-4, splitting their two regular season meetings. But Dallas outscored Washington by 13 total points in those games to win the division by the slimmest of margins, forcing the Redskins to go on the road as a wild card team rather than play a game at home.

Both offenses struggled in the first quarter. Minnesota was completely unable to move the football, finishing the period without any first downs. Meanwhile, Washington’s Curt Knight missed 49- and 17-yard field goals, the last after a drive that ended inside the Viking 10-yard line. Minnesota finally scored on Fred Cox’s 19-yard second period field goal, after Tarkenton’s 50-yard completion to running back Oscar Reed, for a 3-0 lead. But a fumbled Viking punt with 3:30 left in the half set up fifth year running back Larry Brown’s 3-yard touchdown, giving the Redskins a 7-3 lead. Minnesota then drove into field goal range before halftime, but a Tarkenton interception ended the scoring threat.

Minnesota took over in the second half, marching 79 yards for a touchdown on fullback Bill Brown’s 2-yard run to go ahead 10-7. Washington struck back, retaking the lead, 13-10, early in the fourth period with 52- and 42-yard Knight field goals. But a 28-yard touchdown pass from Tarkenton to wide receiver John Gilliam put the Vikings up for good, 17-13. An interception of Redskin quarterback Billy Kilmer’s pass then set up a second Tarkenton to Gilliam 8-yard touchdown, extending Minnesota’s lead to 24-13. Kilmer’s 28-yard touchdown to wide receiver Roy Jefferson closed the gap to 24-20. But Cox’s 30-yarder with less than two minutes remaining sealed a 27-20 Vikings win.

Later that day, the Raiders turned a three-point halftime lead into a rout of the Steelers by scoring 16 unanswered points as part of 23-point second half. Pittsburgh got off to a terrific start, winning eight of their first nine games while leading their division for eleven straight weeks. However, a three-game losing streak put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. The Steelers recovered to win their last two games, finishing 10-4, but had to settle for a tie with the Cincinnati Bengals. Again, by the smallest of margins, Cincinnati won the division due to a better conference record. This despite a Pittsburgh pass defense that was arguably the best in NFL history, limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 33.1 rating.

Pittsburgh was forced to punt on the game’s opening drive. Oakland wasted little time taking advantage of the opportunity, driving 82 yards in 16 plays, scoring on fullback Marv Hubbard’s 1 yard run for a 7-0 lead. In the second period, the Steelers drove into Raider territory, only to turn the ball over when quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw his first interception. A roughing the passer penalty then led to a 25-yard George Blanda field goal, upping Oakland’s advantage to 10-0. But Pittsburgh came back to score after a roughing the passer penalty against the Raiders resulted in a first down on Oakland’s 7. Bradshaw threw a 4-yard touchdown to Barry Pearson, cutting the deficit to 10-7.

In the third period, after Blanda added 31- and 22-yard field goals to make the score 16-7, the Raiders’ cornerback Willie Brown blew the game open by intercepting another Bradshaw pass. The five time All-Pro returned it 54 yards for a touchdown and a 23-7 lead. Bradshaw’s third interception gave Oakland a first down on the Steeler 37. Blanda subsequently kicked his fourth field goal of the game, a 10 yarder, to make the score 26-7 early in the fourth quarter. Bradshaw tried to bring Pittsburgh back, throwing a 26-yard touchdown pass to wideout Frank Lewis to narrow the lead to 26-14. But Oakland put the game away when Hubbard scored a second 1-yard touchdown for a 33-14 win.

On December 23, Miami outgained Cincinnati, 400-194, scoring on three of their first four possessions, to beat the Bengals. After only six years in existence, Cincinnati had won a second division title in four years. The Bengals split their first eight games, then swept their last six to win the AFC Central. Third year quarterback Ken Anderson was now entrenched as the starter, finishing fourth overall in pass attempts and completions as well as passing yards. Sadly, this would be the last season for 1969 AFL Rookie of the Year Greg Cook. His 9.4 yards per pass attempt and 17.5 yard per completion are rookie records that still stand, despite a shoulder injury that ultimately ended his career.

Miami dominated the game early, scoring on their opening drive, with quarterback Bob Griese’s 13-yard touchdown pass to wideout Paul Warfield and a 7-0 lead. Cincinnati narrowed the lead to 7-3 on their first drive with a 24-yard field goal by Horst Muhlman. But halfback Mercury Morris gained 33 rushing yards on the way to the Dolphins next touchdown, a 1-yard run by fullback Larry Csonka, extending their advantage to 14-3. In the second quarter, Griese completed a 48-yard bomb to Warfield that set up Morris’ 4-yard touchdown run. Facing the prospect of going into their locker room down 21-3 at halftime, the Bengals stormed back with 13 points in the final 3:26 of the second period.

First, safety Neal Craig picked off Griese’s pass, returning it 45 yards for a touchdown, narrowing Miami’s lead to 21-10. Then, Cincinnati’s other safety, Tommy Casanova, ended the Dolphins next drive by picking off another Griese pass on the Bengal 33-yard line with just under two minutes left. Anderson got the team into scoring range with a 22-yard scramble to the Miami 38, where Muhlman made a 46-yard field goal, cutting the score to 21-13. With just eight seconds left in the half, Morris fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which Cincinnati recovered on the Dolphin 3. On the next play, Muhlman kicked his third field goal, a 12-yarder, giving Miami just a five-point lead, 21-16, at halftime.

However, the Bengals hopes of defeating the World Champions were quickly crushed in the second half. On the third play of the third quarter, Anderson tried a deep pass to sixth year tight end Bob Trumpy, but the ball was intercepted by Dolphins’ safety Dick Anderson. The two-time Pro Bowler returned the football 19 yards to the Cincinnati 28. Seven plays later, Miami went up 28-16, with Griese’s 7-yard touchdown to tight end Jim Mandich. The Dolphins’ Garo Yepremian put the finishing touches on his team’s win with 50 and 46-yard field goals in the third and fourth periods respectively, making the final score 34-16. Miami won despite three turnovers versus just one for the Bengals.

In the last game of the weekend, Dallas avenged a 37-31 regular season loss to Los Angeles as two turnovers in the first quarter gave the Cowboys a 14–0 lead from which the Rams couldn’t recover. This despite Los Angeles forcing four turnovers. This Rams team was very different from the one former head man George Allen left after the 1970 season. A change of ownership in 1972 and a 14-12-2 record led to Allen’s successor, Tommy Prothro, being replaced by rookie Head Coach Chuck Knox in 1973. The long time assistant coach wasted little time installing his philosophy of a dominant running game and a top-notch defense, resulting in the first of seven straight division titles.

The first play of the game’s opening drive produced a Los Angeles turnover. Eleventh year linebacker Lee Roy Jordan’s interception of quarterback John Hadl’s pass led to running back Calvin Hill’s 3-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead. Dallas then recovered first time Pro Bowler Lawrence McCutcheon’s fumble on the Rams 35-yard line to again set up the Cowboys. The result was a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Roger Staubach to rookie wide receiver Drew Pearson, extending the Dallas lead to 14-0. Toni Fritsch subsequently added a 39-yard field goal early in the second quarter for a 17-0 advantage. It looked like the Cowboys would run the Rams right out of Texas Stadium.

But Los Angeles slowly fought their way back. David Ray’s 33- and 37-yard field goals cut the Dallas lead to 17-6 at the half. After Fritsch’s field goal, the Ram defense limited the Cowboys to only four first downs as Staubach faced a relentless pass rush, sacking him seven times. Dallas didn’t cross midfield again until the fourth quarter. Los Angeles further cut the lead to 17-9 with a 40-yard Ray field goal early in the fourth period. A Hill fumble then led to Los Angeles’s first and only touchdown of the game, a 5-yard run by eighth year running back Tony Baker, in his first season with the Rams. Los Angeles had narrowed the deficit to a just single point, 17-16, with ten minutes left in the game.

But the Cowboys regained control on their next possession when Staubach threw a short pass over the middle to Pearson. As the Rams were about to stop him for a short gain, defensive backs Dave Elmendorf and Steve Preece collided, allowing Pearson to scamper untouched for an 83-yard touchdown. Up 24-16, the Dallas defense closed out the Los Angeles offense for the rest of the game. Fritsch added a 12-yard field goal to make the final 27-16. The Cowboys almost totally shutdown the strength of the Rams’ offense, limiting their running game to just 93 yards on 30 attempts. McCutcheon, the team’s leading rusher in only his second season, was held to 48 yards on 13 carries.

On December 30, the NFC title game pitted the Cowboys against the Vikings in Texas Stadium. Dallas played at home despite Minnesota having a better record as the home team in the playoffs were still decided based on a yearly rotation. Staubach was healthy after being out the entire 1972 regular season, starting every game for the first time in his five-year career. The 31-year-old led the league in touchdown passes (23) as well as QBR (94.6). Meanwhile, the Dolphins played the Raiders in the Orange Bowl for the AFC title. Oakland was also going through a quarterback transition. Ken Stabler started the majority of games for the first time in his four-year career, ousting Daryl Lamonica.

Despite having home field advantage, Dallas lost the NFC Championship to Minnesota, turning the ball over six times (four interceptions, two fumbles). The Vikings dominated the Cowboys, holding them to less than 100 yards both rushing (90) and passing (63) as well as just nine first downs. It didn’t help that Dallas was undermanned, having lost both their leading rusher, Calvin Hill, and arguably their best defensive player, Bob Lilly, prior to the game. Hill, a three-time Pro Bowler, was coming off the best season of his five-year career, gaining 1,142 yards on 273 carries (4.2 yards per attempt), scoring 6 touchdowns, while also leading the Cowboys in pass receptions (32) for 290 yards.

Minnesota jumped to a 10-0 halftime lead with a first period 44-yard Fred Cox field goal followed by a second quarter 5-yard touchdown run by running back Chuck Foreman. After a listless first half, Dallas moved into Viking territory on their first possession of the second half. Although the drive ended with a Staubach interception at the Minnesota 2-yard line, the Cowboy defense forced a punt. Golden Richards then returned the ball 63-yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 10-7. The Vikings came right back with a 54-yard Tarkington to Gilliam touchdown pass to lead again by ten, 17-7. But a 17-yard Fritsch field goal subsequently cut the Minnesota lead to 17-10, ending the third period.

Then a wave of turnovers began. First, Foreman fumbled but the Vikings got the ball back when Staubach threw an interception. Next, Tarkington threw an interception, but Staubach fumbled to end another scoring opportunity. Minnesota then fumbled again, giving Dallas the ball on the Viking 47-yard line. A few plays later, the Cowboys faced a 3rd and 3 with nine minutes left in the game. Staubach attempted a pass to two-time All-Pro wideout Bob Hayes, but cornerback Bobby Bryant intercepted it and raced 63 yards for a touchdown, putting Minnesota up 24-10. Safety Jeff Wright’s interception of another Staubach pass set up Cox’s final 34-yard field goal for a 27-10 Viking victory.

Later that day, Miami got revenge over Oakland for ending their 18-game win streak in the second week of the regular season with a decisive win in the AFC Championship. The Dolphins completed only 3 of 6 passes for 34 yards but gained 266 rushing yards on 53 carries, more than the Raiders total yards for the game. Two-time All-Pro Larry Csonka led Miami with 117 yards on 29 carries and 3 touchdowns. As late as the tenth week, the Kansas City Chiefs led the AFC West, only to lose that lead to the Denver Broncos as part of a 1-2-1 finish. But Denver went 2-2 to end the season while Oakland went on a 4-0 run, including a victory over the Broncos in the finale, to win the division.

Miami scored on their first possession, driving 64 yards. Bob Griese’s 27-yard scramble set up Csonka’s 11-yard touchdown run, and a 7-0 lead. The six-year fullback scored again late in the second quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run after an eight minute, 63-yard drive, making the score 14-0 at halftime. The third quarter began with a 21-yard George Blanda field goal, Oakland’s first points of the game. This was quickly followed by All-Pro Garo Yepremian’s 42-yard field goal, once more giving the Dolphins a two-touchdown lead, 17-3. The Raiders then drove 78 yards, scoring on Ken Stabler’s 25-yard touchdown pass to second year wideout Mike Siani, cutting their deficit to 17-10.

In the fourth quarter, Yepremian kicked a 26-yarder after Griese’s 17-yard quarterback draw to increase Miami’s advantage to 20-10. Oakland then drove to the Dolphin 42-yard line, where they faced a fourth and inches. Down by ten points late in the game, Raiders Head Coach John Madden passed on the field goal, going instead for the first down. But three-time Pro Bowler Marv Hubbard fumbled while trying to get through the line. The ball bounced into the hands of Stabler, who was then tackled for a loss by Dick Anderson. The Dolphins took over, using their running game to take the remaining time off the clock. Csonka’s third touchdown, a 2-yard run, clinched the victory, 27-10.

Miami was making its third consecutive appearance in the NFL’s championship game, a first for any team. They were also poised to win back-to-back Super Bowls; a feat no other team had accomplished since the Green Bay Packers won the first two in 1966 and 1967. Meanwhile, Minnesota had earned another chance at a world championship after their embarrassing 23-7 defeat four years earlier to the then American Football League Champion Kansas City Chiefs in 1969’s Super Bowl. It would be the final year the two leagues played for the championship of professional football. Starting in 1970, the AFL ceased to exist, incorporated into what is now considered the modern NFL.

Super Bowl Highlights: On January 13, in Houston’s Rice Stadium, the AFC’s Miami Dolphins, led by Don Shula, and the NFC’s Minnesota Vikings, led by Bud Grant, met in Super Bowl VIII. For the first time, a former AFL team was favored to win. This was also the first time the Super Bowl venue was not home to an NFL team as the Astrodome was considered too small to host. The league awarded Super Bowl VIII to Houston at the owners’ meetings in March 1972. After nine deadlocked votes, Houston Owner Bud Adams recommended awarding two consecutive sites. Los Angeles won on the ninth ballot and was named host of VII while second place Houston would host for VIII.

Although Miami was unable to match last year’s perfect season, many sports writers, fans, and even players felt that the 1973 team was better, despite losing to the Oakland Raiders in the second week and the Baltimore Colts in the thirteenth week. In between, the Dolphins won ten straight, dominating opponents by an average of almost 18 points per game. While the 1972 team faced no competition with a record better than 8-6, this year’s team played a much tougher schedule that included games against Oakland (9-4-1), the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4), and the Dallas Cowboys (10-4), all playoff teams, as well as the Cleveland Browns (7-5-2) and two games against the Buffalo Bills (9-5).

Miami had compiled a 32-2 record over the past two seasons by relying primarily on a dominate defense and a powerful rushing attack. Future Hall of Famer Larry Csonka notched his third straight 1,000-yard season with 1,003 yards on 219 carries (4.6 yards per rush) and 5 touchdowns. Three-time Pro Bowler Mercury Morris ran for 954 yards on 149 attempts (6.4 yards per carry), scoring 10 touchdowns. Overall, Csonka finished sixth in rushing yards while Morris finished first in yards per carry and third in rushing touchdowns. Sixth year halfback Jim Kiick continued to see his playing time decline as Morris emerged as the starter over his five-year career, with 257 yards on 76 attempts.

The running game was nicely complemented by the passing game, led by future Hall of Famers Bob Griese and Paul Warfield. The seventh-year quarterback completed 53.2% of his passes (116 of 218) for 1,422 yards, 17 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, and an 84.3 QBR, sixth in the NFL. Warfield remained the team’s main deep threat with 29 catches for 514 yards (17.7 yards per catch) and 11 touchdowns, second in the league. Sixth year wide receiver Marlin Briscoe, acquired in 1972 from Buffalo for a first-round draft pick, led the team in receptions with 30 for 447 yards and 2 touchdowns, followed by Kiick with 27 for 208 yards and fourth year tight end Jim Mandich with 24 for 302 yards.

Overall, the Dolphins finished third in rushing (2,521), fifth in points (343), and 21st in passing (1,582). On defense, Miami once again led the league in points allowed (150), just 10.7 points per game, a franchise record still standing today. They also finished first in passing yards allowed (1,290). Their run defense was slightly less effective than last season, allowing 1,991 rushing yards, 12th overall. Still, in 2007, this Dolphins’ defense was ranked by ESPN.com as eighth best in league history. Miami continued using their “53” variation where Bob Matheson would be brought in as the fourth linebacker in their 3-4 formation. Matheson could then either rush the passer or drop back into coverage.

Four-time Pro Bowl end Bill Stanfield, in his fifth season, led Miami in sacks with 18.5, a team record that still stands. Stanfield was followed by third year end Vern Den Herder with 10 sacks. Future Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti recovered three fumbles and returned one for a touchdown. Dick Anderson, in his sixth season, led the league with eight interceptions, returning them for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns. Fellow safety Jake Scott, last season’s Super Bowl MVP, had four interceptions and 71 return yards. Garo Yepremian had another good year, leading the team with 113 points, third overall. The two time All-Pro converted 25 of 37 field goals (67.6%) and 38 of 38 extra points.

Meanwhile, the Vikings were back in the title game for the second time in five seasons. Despite losing to the underdog Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV, Minnesota again finished with the NFL’s best record in 1970, all without their starting quarterback for the past three years, Joe Kapp. Prior to the 1969 season, the Vikings exercised the option clause of Kapp’s contract. As a result, the 31-year-old played the entire year without a new contract, automatically making him a free agent in 1970. Kapp later signed with the Boston Patriots. As compensation, Minnesota received Boston’s 1972 first round draft pick. The former All-Pro lasted one season before ending his 12-year career in 1971.

Eighth year veteran Gary Cuozzo replaced Kapp, starting 12 of 14 games. The Vikings acquired the former Baltimore Colts signal caller from the New Orleans Saints in 1968, giving up that year’s first round draft choice as well as second and third round picks in 1969. Although Cuozzo delivered some mediocre performances over the course of the season, the defense carried Minnesota to an NFC Central division title. However, the Vikings lost in the first round of the playoffs to the San Francisco 49ers, 17-14. In 1971, Cuozzo couldn’t hold on to the starting job, sharing it with long time Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Norm Snead, acquired prior to the season, and third year veteran Bob Lee.

Once more, the defense carried the team, tying the Dallas Cowboys for the NFL’s best record at 11-3 while winning the division for the fourth consecutive season. In fact, they were so impressive that tackle Alan Page became the first-ever defensive player to win the league MVP award. ESPN subsequently ranked the 1971 Vikings defense as the fourth best in NFL history. But another divisional playoff loss, this time to the Cowboys, led Minnesota to clean house in 1972. Cuozzo was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, ending his 10-year career after the season. The Vikings acquired future Pro Bowl wide receiver John Gilliam, in his sixth year, as well as second and third round picks in 1973.

However, by far the biggest trade saw Snead dealt to the New York Giants along with the Vikings top wide receiver, Bob Grim, and two first round picks (1972 & 73) for 11th year quarterback Fran Tarkenton. The 32-year-old began his career with Minnesota in 1961, the team’s first year of existence. After six years, Tarkenton demanded a trade after a falling out with Head Coach Norm Van Brocklin. Early in 1967, the two-time Pro Bowler was traded to the Giants, where he played for five years before coming back to the Vikings. Yet, with Tarkenton again as their starter, Minnesota could manage only a single win in the first four games of 1972, including a loss to the Cuozzo led Cardinals.

However, the Vikings recovered from their slow start, winning five of their next six to sit at 6–4, just a game behind the division leading Green Bay Packers. But three losses in their last four games, including 23-7 to Green Bay in the season’s second to last week, ended Minnesota’s string of division titles. Their 7-7 record was the team’s worst finish since 1967, Bud Grant’s first as head coach. Last year’s top ranked defense slumped to 11th overall. On offense, while their pass game jumped from second to last in 1971 to fourth best, the run game was deficit, finishing seventh worst in the league. As a result, the Vikings used their 1973 first-round draft pick on running back Chuck Foreman.

The 1973 Offensive Rookie of the Year appeared to be the final piece needed to power Minnesota’s offense. The team snapped back to win their first nine games, reclaiming the division title. Foreman rushed for 801 yards on 182 attempts (4.4 yards per carry) and 4 touchdowns. The first time All-Pro also caught 37 passes, second most on the team, for 362 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Vikings four other contributors at running back, Dave Osborn, Bill Brown, Oscar Reed, and Ed Marinaro, combined for another 1,469 rushing and receiving yards as well as 11 total touchdowns. Foreman had proven he was the needed compliment to two other key contributors, Tarkenton and Gilliam.

The now six-time Pro Bowl quarterback finished 169 of 274 (61.7%) for 2,113 yards, 15 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 93.2 QBR, adding 202 rushing yards and another touchdown. Tarkenton was one of the NFL’s ten best in passes attempted, completed, yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, and QBR. Meanwhile, Gilliam led the team with 42 catches for 907 yards, 21.6 yards per catch, and 8 touchdowns. The first time Pro Bowler was second overall in receiving yards and third in yards per catch. Tight end Stu Voit added 23 catches for 318 yards and 2 touchdowns. Minnesota finished sixth in rushing yards (2,275), ninth in points scored (296), and 14th in passing yards (1,956).

The Vikings defense recovered nicely from their brief slump in 1972, rising to second in the NFL in points allowed (168), behind only their Super Bowl opponent, while finishing 11th in rushing yards allowed (1,974) and 12th in passing yards allowed (1,894). They were again anchored by their defensive line including three-time All-Pro Alan Page and five-time All-Pro end Carl Eller. Behind them, Pro Bowl linebacker Jeff Siemon had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Cornerback Bobby Bryant (7 interceptions, 1 touchdown) and Pro Bowl safety Paul Krause (4 interceptions) led the secondary. Fred Cox led the team in scoring (96 points) with 21 of 35 field goals and all 33 extra points.

Miami’s game plan on offense was to use misdirection, negative influence traps, and cross blocking to exploit the excellent pursuit of Minnesota’s defense, similar to Kansas City’s game plan in Super Bowl IV. Wrote center Jim Langer, “All this was successful right away. We kept ripping huge holes into their defense and Csonka kept picking up good yardage, especially to the right.” On defense, the Dolphins’ goal was to neutralize Foreman by using cat quick nose tackle Manny Fernandez as well as make passing difficult for Tarkenton by knocking down his receivers and double-teaming Gilliam. They were also depending on Stanfill and Den Herder to contain Tarkenton’s scrambling.

Miami dominated the Vikings right from the start, scoring touchdowns on two straight ten play drives in the first quarter. First, Jake Scott gave his team good field position, returning the opening kickoff 31 yards to the Dolphin 38-yard line. Then, Mercury Morris ran right for 4 yards, Larry Csonka up the middle for 2 yards, and a 13-yard completion from Bob Griese to Jim Mandich, advancing to Minnesota’s 43-yard line. Csonka ran on second down for 16 yards, then Griese completed a 6-yard pass to Marlin Briscoe to the 21. Three more running plays, two by Csonka and one by Morris, got them to the 5-yard line. Csonka finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown burst for a 7-0 lead.

After forcing the Vikings into a three and out, Miami went 56 yards in 10 plays, scoring on Jim Kiick’s 1 yard run, giving them a 14-0 lead. By the time the first quarter ended, the Dolphins had run 20 plays for 118 yards and eight first downs. Csonka had 8 carries for 64 yards while Griese was 4 of 4 for 40 yards. Meanwhile, the Dolphin defense held Minnesota to just 25 yards, six plays, and a single first down. The Vikings advanced only as far as their own 23-yard line. The situation didn’t get much better in the second period. After trading punts, Miami mounted a seven-play drive, starting from their own 35, culminating in a 28-yard field goal from Garo Yepremian, to make the score 17-0.

Minnesota had their first opportunity to score on the ensuing drive. Starting at their 20-yard line, the offense moved to the Dolphin 15 in nine plays, aided by Fran Tarkenton’s completions of 17 and 14 yards to Stu Voigt as well as John Gilliam’s 30-yard catch. Tarkenton’s 8-yard run on first down advanced the ball to the 7-yard line. But, on the next two plays, Oscar Reed gained only 1 yard on 2 carries, bringing up a 4th and 1 with less than a minute left in the half. Instead of attempting a field goal, the Vikings decided to go for it with another running play by Reed. But the sixth year back lost the ball while being tackled by Nick Buoniconti, and Scott recovered the fumble for Miami.

Said Langer at halftime, “We definitely knew that this game was over.” After another Minnesota three and out to start the third quarter, the Dolphins marched 43 yards in 8 plays after a Viking punt, scoring on Csonka’s 2-yard touchdown, increasing their lead to 24-0. The key play was Griese’s third down, 27-yard throw to Warfield, down to the Minnesota 11-yard line. It was the four-time Pro Bowler’s last pass of the game, his only one of the second half, and just his seventh overall. For Warfield, it was just his second, and last, catch of the game. After an exchange of punts, the Vikings got the ball back at their 43-yard line with 1:34 left in the period, after Larry Seiple’s kick went just 24 yards.

Minnesota then mounted a 10 play, 57-yard scoring drive, with Tarkenton completing five passes for 43 yards, taking the ball into the end zone himself on a 4-yard run early in the fourth period. Down 24-7, the Vikings got one last chance to get back into the game. The Dolphins went three and out on their subsequent possession. Starting on their own 3-yard line, Minnesota drove to the Miami 32 in eight plays. But, after two incompletions, Tarkenton’s next pass was intercepted by cornerback Curtis Johnson at the goal line, ending the Viking threat. Beginning on their 10-yard line with 6:24 left on the clock, Csonka and Kiick ended the game with twelve straight runs for a 24-7 victory.

The Dolphins had won their second straight Super Bowl in impressive fashion. Csonka was the first running back to be named the game’s MVP. His 145 rushing yards and 33 carries were Super Bowl records at the time. Griese finished 6 of 7 for 73 yards, the fewest attempts ever by a team in a Super Bowl. Miami rushed for 196 yards, did not turn the ball over, and were not penalized in the first 52 minutes, ending with just one penalty for four yards. For Minnesota, their lethargic performance was very similar to their previous Super Bowl appearance, again scoring only a single touchdown. Overall, Miami’s performance is still considered one of the most dominate in Super Bowl history.

Conclusion: Miami had now appeared in three consecutive Super Bowls, winning the last two, and were making a strong bid to become the team of the decade. Meanwhile, the team of the previous decade, the Green Bay Packers, had a losing record in three of their last four seasons, getting a reality check in 1973 after winning the division the previous year. Their 5-7-2 season brought them back to earth with the realization that another dynasty might not be just around the corner after all. For Dan Devine, this was now unarguably his team, and the franchise’s future success would live or die based on the actions of their head coach and a young squad facing obstacles and opportunities.

Stanton Greene described 1973 as three seasons in one. The first five games saw the 2-1-2 Packers remain in contention “while Devine played musical quarterbacks like it was still the preseason.” The defense hung tough, the running game was effective, and, overall, the team had a positive turnover ratio. “Then disaster struck.” The tipping point appeared to be an accumulation of injuries, particularly the loss of Willie Buchanon, and Green Bay decisively lost their next three contests. “During that time, [Scott] Hunter and [Jim] Del Gazio were swept aside and the defense looked like 1970 all over again.” But then the team came back, winning three of their last six with Jerry Tagge at the helm.

On the one hand, with a few breaks along the way, particularly the two ties, the Packers could have had at least a breakeven season. It likely wouldn’t have been enough for a playoff berth, but it would have lessened the criticism. On the other hand, Devine knew at the end of last season that his passing game was a problem, yet it only got worse in 1973. In his book, Greene opined, “Late in the ’72 season, the Packers had thrown out the passing game. When they needed to bring it back, it wasn’t there. It had atrophied. They couldn’t throw the ball and Devine didn’t want to.” The reality was, with two losing seasons in three years, 1974 would clearly be a make-or-break season for Dan Devine.

To end this post, I’ve attached the NFL Films Super Bowl VIII Highlight video, narrated once again by the great John Facenda.

As always, your feedback is appreciated!