1972 Kansas City Chiefs season
| 1972 Kansas City Chiefs season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Hank Stram |
| Home field | Arrowhead Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–6 |
| Division place | 2nd AFC West |
| Playoff finish | did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers |
WR Otis Taylor LB Willie Lanier LB Bobby Bell CB Emmitt Thomas P Jerrel Wilson |
The 1972 Kansas City Chiefs season began with the Chiefs moving into the newly constructed Arrowhead Stadium and ended with an 8–6 record and second-place finish in the AFC West.
The Chiefs introduced the newly completed Arrowhead Stadium to the general public. The last original member of the 1960 Dallas Texans team departed on July 12 when safety Johnny Robinson announced his retirement at training camp. Meanwhile, starting quarterback Len Dawson ended speculation about his retirement by signing 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.[1]
After two different construction strikes and a myriad of other delays, Arrowhead Stadium was officially dedicated on August 12, when the Chiefs registered a 24–14 preseason victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. Running back Ed Podolak scored the first touchdown in the facility. Regular season ticket prices for the team's first season at Arrowhead were USD$8 for box seats and $7 for reserved seating.[1]
On September 17, the Chiefs lost a 20–10 decision against Miami (the first win in Miami's perfect season) in the first official game at the new Arrowhead Stadium, in front of a crowd of 79,829.[1] A standing-room-only crowd of 82,094 was in attendance for a 27–14 victory against Oakland on November 5, the largest "in-house" attendance total for an NFL contest in Arrowhead's history.[1] After a 5–3 start, a three-game losing streak effectively eliminated the club from playoff contention. An 8–6 record was good enough for only a second-place finish in the AFC West behind Oakland. Linebacker Willie Lanier became the first Chiefs player to receive the prestigious NFL Man of the Year Award in the offseason.[1]
In week six, the Chiefs dropped a shocking 21-20 decision at home to the lowly Philadelphia Eagles, who came in 0-5 and would win only once more (also a one-point victory over the Houston Oilers, who finished 1-13). It would be the last time the Chiefs and Eagles played until 1992, and Kansas City would not visit Philadelphia until 1998.
Offseason
NFL draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | School/club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Regular season
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 17, 1972 | Miami Dolphins | L 20–10 | |
| 2 | September 25, 1972 | at New Orleans Saints | W 20–17 | |
| 3 | October 1, 1972 | at Denver Broncos | W 45–24 | |
| 4 | October 8, 1972 | at Cleveland Browns | W 31–7 | |
| 5 | October 15, 1972 | Cincinnati Bengals | L 23–16 | |
| 6 | October 22, 1972 | Philadelphia Eagles | L 21–20 | |
| 7 | October 29, 1972 | at San Diego Chargers | W 26–14 | |
| 8 | November 5, 1972 | Oakland Raiders | W 27–14 | |
| 9 | November 12, 1972 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 16–7 | |
| 10 | November 19, 1972 | San Diego Chargers | L 27–17 | |
| 11 | November 26, 1972 | at Oakland Raiders | L 26–3 | |
| 12 | December 3, 1972 | Denver Broncos | W 24–21 | |
| 13 | December 10, 1972 | Baltimore Colts | W 24–10 | |
| 14 | December 17, 1972 | at Atlanta Falcons | W 17–14 | |
Standings
| AFC West | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| Oakland Raiders | 10 | 3 | 1 | .750 | 3–2–1 | 7–3–1 | 365 | 285 | W6 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 8 | 6 | 0 | .571 | 4–2 | 6–5 | 287 | 254 | W3 |
| Denver Broncos | 5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | 2–4 | 4–6 | 325 | 350 | W2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 4 | 9 | 1 | .321 | 2–3–1 | 4–6–1 | 264 | 344 | L3 |