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]
Quick Facts Kansas City Chiefs season, Owner ...
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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]
NFL draft
More information Round, Pick ...
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Position |
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1972 Kansas City Chiefs roster
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
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Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
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More information Week, Date ...
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Schedule
More information Week, Date ...
Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Record |
Venue |
Attendance |
Recap |
1 |
September 17 |
Miami Dolphins |
L 10–20 |
0–1 |
Arrowhead Stadium |
79,829 |
Recap |
2 |
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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. |
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Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Dolphins |
7 |
10 |
3 | 0 | 20 |
Chiefs |
0 |
0 |
3 | 7 | 10 |
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More information Game information ...
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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
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 2: at New Orleans Saints
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Chiefs |
0 |
10 |
0 | 10 | 20 |
Saints |
0 |
10 |
7 | 0 | 17 |
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More information Game information ...
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.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 3: at Denver Broncos
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Chiefs |
3 |
7 |
14 | 21 | 45 |
Broncos |
7 |
3 |
7 | 7 | 24 |
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More information Game information ...
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.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 4: at Cleveland Browns
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Chiefs |
7 |
14 |
7 | 3 | 31 |
Browns |
0 |
7 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
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More information Game information ...
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.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 5: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Bengals |
3 |
0 |
7 | 13 | 23 |
Chiefs |
0 |
3 |
10 | 3 | 16 |
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More information Game information ...
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.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 5: Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: October 15
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: 47 °F (8.3 °C), relative humidity 56%, wind 11 mph
- Game attendance: 79,068
- Referee: Fred Swearingen
- TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Al De Rogatis
- Box score
Week 6: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Eagles |
14 |
7 |
0 | 0 | 21 |
Chiefs |
0 |
6 |
7 | 7 | 20 |
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More information Game information ...
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
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 6: Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: October 22
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: 55 °F (12.8 °C), relative humidity 92%, wind 13 mph
- Game attendance: 78,389
- Referee: Bob Frederic
- TV announcers (CBS): Don Criqui, Irv Cross and Jim Thacker
- Box score
Week 7: at San Diego Chargers
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Chiefs |
0 |
3 |
10 | 13 | 26 |
Chargers |
0 |
7 |
0 | 7 | 14 |
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More information Game information ...
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.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
- KC – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 86 yards
- SD – Cid Edwards – 7 receptions, 93 yards
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Week 8: vs. Oakland Raiders
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Raiders |
0 |
0 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
Chiefs |
0 |
17 |
3 | 7 | 27 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 8: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 5
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), relative humidity 60%, wind 12 mph
- Game attendance: 82,094
- Referee: Pat Haggerty
- TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Al De Rogatis
- Box score
Week 9: at Pittsburgh Steelers
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Chiefs |
0 |
7 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
Steelers |
0 |
0 |
3 | 13 | 16 |
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More information Game information ...
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.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 10: vs. San Diego Chargers
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Chargers |
7 |
17 |
3 | 0 | 27 |
Chiefs |
7 |
0 |
3 | 7 | 17 |
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More information Game information ...
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
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
- SD – Cid Edwards – 6 receptions, 82 yards
- KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 61 yards
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Week 10: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 19
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 32 °F (0.0 °C), relative humidity 81%, wind 11 mph, wind chill 23
- Game attendance: 79,011
- Referee: Jack Reader
- TV announcers (NBC): Jim Simpson and Kyle Rote
- Box score
Week 11: at Oakland Raiders
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Chiefs |
0 |
3 |
0 | 0 | 3 |
Raiders |
10 |
13 |
0 | 3 | 26 |
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More information Game information ...
Game information |
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- OAK – George Blanda 25-yard field goal. Raiders 26–3.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Broncos |
7 |
7 |
0 | 7 | 21 |
Chiefs |
0 |
10 |
14 | 0 | 24 |
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More information Game information ...
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.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
- DEN – Haven Moses – 4 receptions, 57 yards, TD
- KC – Ed Podolak – 3 receptions, 34 yards
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Week 12: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: December 3
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 30 °F (−1.1 °C), relative humidity 68%, wind 19 mph, wind chill 18
- Game attendance: 66,725
- Referee: John McDonough
- TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
- Box score
Week 13: vs. Baltimore Colts
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Colts |
0 |
10 |
0 | 0 | 10 |
Chiefs |
3 |
7 |
7 | 7 | 24 |
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More information Game information ...
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.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
- BAL – Jim O'Brien – 2 receptions, 59 yards
- KC – Wendell Hayes – 5 receptions, 55 yards, TD
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Week 13: Baltimore Colts at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: December 10
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 8 °F (−13.3 °C), relative humidity 56%, wind 11 mph, wind chill -8
- Game attendance: 44,175
- Referee: Fred Wyant
- TV announcers (NBC): Bill Enis and Paul Maguire
- Box score
Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Chiefs |
0 |
3 |
7 | 7 | 17 |
Falcons |
0 |
7 |
0 | 7 | 14 |
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More information Game information ...
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.
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- Top passers
- Top rushers
- Top receivers
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Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
at Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: December 17
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 27 °F (−2.8 °C), relative humidity 35%, wind 15 mph, wind chill 15
- Game attendance: 58,850
- Referee: Norm Schachter
- TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Al De Rogatis
- Box score
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Urena, Ivan; Pro Football Schedules: A Complete Historical Guide from 1933 to the Present, p. 18 ISBN 0786473517
Urena; Pro Football Schedules, p. 17