1973 NFL Season
As originally written by Tim Brulia and Jimmy Delach:
This was the year that the U.S. Congress dramatically changed the blackout rules of the NFL, much against the wishes of Commissioner Pete Rozelle and NFL owners. The home market (and markets that fell within the 75 miles radius of the home market) could lift the blackout IF the game was sold out at least 72 hours in advance of kickoff. Games in which the blackout was lifted are shown in bold.
Also of note is that CBS decides to no longer show the halftime entertainment from the stadium. Instead, CBS utilizes the time for an NFL Films feature called "NFL Playbook", sponsored by American Express. The show educates viewers on the intricacies and strategy involved with football.
PRESEASON
7/27/73 Miami vs. College All-Stars @ Chicago (ABC) 9:30
7/28/73 San Francisco vs. New England @ Canton (ABC) (HOF Game) 4:00--HOWARD COSELL, FRANK GIFFORD
8/18/73 Minnesota @ Kansas City (NBC) 9:00--CURT GOWDY, AL DEROGATIS
8/24/73 Los Angeles @ Miami (NBC) 8:00--CURT GOWDY, AL DEROGATIS
8/26/73 Green Bay @ Kansas City (ABC) 9:00--HOWARD COSELL, FRANK GIFFORD
8/31/73 Miami @ Minnesota (CBS) 9:00--JACK WHITAKER, PAT SUMMERALL, BRENT MUSBURGER
9/1/73 Detroit @ Cleveland (NBC) 8:00--CURT GOWDY, AL DEROGATIS
9/6/73 Miami @ Dallas (CBS) 9:00--FRANK GLIEBER, PAT SUMMERALL
9/9/73 Chicago @ Washington (CBS) 8:30--RAY SCOTT, PAT SUMMERALL
WEEK 1, 1973 - CBS Doubleheader:
Sunday 9/16:
Colts-Browns, 1, NBC, Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Bills-Patriots, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Dave Kocourek
Oilers-Giants, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Cardinals-Eagles, 1, CBS, Dan Kelly, Irv Cross, Andy Musser*
Chargers-Redskins, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
49ers-Dolphins, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Wayne Walker, Brent Musburger*
Falcons-Saints, 2, CBS, Don Criqui, Tommy Mason, Frank Clarke*
Cowboys-Bears, 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Pete Retzlaff, Bruce Roberts*
Raiders-Vikings, 2, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Bengals-Broncos, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam De Luca
Lions-Steelers, 4, CBS, Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Dick Stockton*
Rams-Chiefs, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Tom Brookshier, Gil Stratton*
Monday 9/17:
Jets-Packers (Milwaukee), 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 2, 1973 - NBC Doubleheader:
Sunday 9/23:
Browns-Steelers, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Oilers-Bengals, 1, NBC, Bill Enis, Dave Kocourek
Chiefs-Patriots, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Eagles-Giants, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Tom Brookshier, Andy Musser*
Lions-Packers, 2, CBS, Jack Drees, Johnny Sauer, Frank Clarke*
Vikings-Bears, 2, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Bruce Roberts*
Jets-Colts, 2, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam De Luca
Redskins-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Dan Kelly, analyst unknown, Dick Stockton*
Falcons-Rams, 4, CBS, Jack Buck, Wayne Walker, Gil Stratton*
Bills-Chargers, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Dolphins-Raiders (Berkeley), 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
49ers-Broncos, 4, CBS, Don Criqui, Tommy Mason, Brent Musburger*
Monday 9/24:
Saints-Cowboys, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 3, 1973 - NBC Doubleheader:
Sunday 9/30:
Patriots-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Giants-Browns, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Dick Stockton*
Jets-Bills, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Redskins-Eagles, 1, CBS, Dan Kelly, Irv Cross, Andy Musser*
Packers-Vikings, 2, CBS, Ray Scott, Tom Brookshier, Bruce Roberts*
Saints-Colts, 2, CBS, Don Criqui, Tommy Mason
Steelers-Oilers, 2, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Cardinals-Cowboys, 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Pete Retzlaff, Frank Clarke*
Bears-Broncos, 4, CBS, Jack Drees, Tim Brown, Brent Musburger*
Bengals-Chargers, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Rams-49ers, 4, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Wayne Walker, Gil Stratton*
Raiders-Chiefs, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Monday 10/1:
Falcons-Lions, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 4, 1973 - CBS Doubleheader:
Sunday 10/7:
Colts-Patriots, 1, NBC, Bill O’Donnell, Dave Kocourek
Bengals-Browns, 1, NBC, Ken Coleman, Sam De Luca
Packers-Giants (New Haven, Conn.), 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Tom Brookshier, Dick Stockton*
Jets-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Al De Rogatis
Eagles-Bills, 1, CBS, Jack Drees, Johnny Sauer, Andy Musser*
Chargers-Steelers, 1, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
49ers-Falcons, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Wayne Walker, Frank Clarke*
Bears-Saints, 2, CBS, Don Criqui, Tommy Mason, Brent Musburger*
Broncos-Chiefs, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Kyle Rote
Rams-Oilers, 2, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Tim Brown, Gil Stratton*
Raiders-Cardinals, 2, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Vikings-Lions, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Bruce Roberts*
Monday 10/8:
Cowboys-Redskins, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 5, 1973 - CBS Doubleheader:
Sunday 10/14:
Colts-Bills, 1, NBC, Al Michaels, Dave Kocourek
Bears-Falcons, 1, CBS, Ray Scott, Tom Brookshier, Bruce Roberts*
Jets-Patriots, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam De Luca
Steelers-Bengals, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Kyle Rote
Redskins-Giants (New Haven, Conn.), 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Wayne Walker, Dick Stockton*
Broncos-Oilers, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Al De Rogatis
Lions-Saints, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Brent Musburger*
Chiefs-Packers (Milwaukee), 2, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Eagles-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Dan Kelly, Irv Cross, Andy Musser*
Cowboys-Rams, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Pete Retzlaff, Frank Clarke*
Vikings-49ers, 4, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Pat Summerall, Gil Stratton*
Raiders-Chargers, 4, KTVU-San Francisco, Don Klein, Gary Park
Monday 10/15:
Dolphins-Browns, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 6, 1973 - CBS Doubleheader:
Sunday 10/21:
Colts-Lions, 1, NBC, Al Michaels, Dave Kocourek
Bills-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Oilers-Browns, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Jets-Steelers, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Al De Rogatis
Cardinals-Redskins, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Tom Brookshier, Andy Musser*
Patriots-Bears, 2, WLVI-Boston; WGN-Chicago, Ken Coleman, Sam De Luca
Eagles-Vikings, 2, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Tim Brown, Dick Stockton*
Falcons-Chargers, 4, CBS, Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Gil Stratton*
Packers-Rams, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Bruce Roberts*
Chiefs-Bengals, 4, KMBC-Kansas City, Bill Enis, Kyle Rote
Saints-49ers, 4, CBS, Jack Buck, Johnny Sauer, Brent Musburger*
Giants-Cowboys, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Wayne Walker, Frank Clarke*
Monday 10/22:
Raiders-Broncos, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 7, 1973 - NBC Doubleheader:
Sunday 10/28:
Cowboys-Eagles, 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Pete Retzlaff, Andy Musser
Broncos-Jets, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam De Luca
Packers-Lions, 1, CBS, Jack Drees, Tom Brookshier, Dick Stockton*
Dolphins-Patriots, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Chargers-Browns, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Oilers-Bears, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Dave Kocourek
Rams-Vikings, 2, CBS, Ray Scott, Wayne Walker, Gil Stratton*
Giants-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Bruce Roberts*
Raiders-Colts, 2, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Redskins-Saints, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Frank Clarke*
Falcons-49ers, 4, CBS, Don Criqui, Tommy Mason, Brent Musburger*
Bengals-Steelers, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Monday 10/29:
Chiefs-Bills, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 8, 1973 - CBS Doubleheader:
Sunday 11/4:
Rams-Falcons, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Pat Summerall, Dick Stockton*
Dolphins-Jets, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam De Luca
Patriots-Eagles, 1, NBC, Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Bills-Saints, 2, NBC, Ken Coleman, Alan Miller
Bears-Packers, 2, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Tim Brown, Brent Musburger*
Bengals-Cowboys, 2, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Browns-Vikings, 2, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Broncos-Cardinals, 2, NBC, Jay Randolph, Mike Haffner
Oilers-Colts, 2, NBC, Al Michaels, Dave Kocourek
Chiefs-Chargers, 4, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Giants-Raiders, 4, CBS, Jack Buck, Wayne Walker, Bill Thompson
49ers-Lions, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Tom Brookshier, Bruce Roberts
Sunday 11/5:
Redskins-Steelers, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 9, 1973 - NBC Doubleheader:
Sunday 11/11:
Falcons-Eagles, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Dick Stockton*
Colts-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam De Luca
Bengals-Bills, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Cowboys-Giants (New Haven, Conn.), 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Pete Retzlaff, Frank Clarke*
Patriots-Jets, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
49ers-Redskins, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Brent Musburger*
Browns-Oilers, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Dave Kocourek
Lions-Vikings, 2, CBS, Ray Scott, Tom Brookshier, Jim Thacker*
Cardinals-Packers, 2, CBS, Dan Kelly, Wayne Walker, Bruce Roberts*
Saints-Rams, 4, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Tim Brown, Gil Stratton*
Steelers-Raiders, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Chargers-Broncos, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Monday 11/12:
Bears-Chiefs, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 10, 1973 - CBS Doubleheader:
Sunday 11/18:
Colts-Redskins, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Broncos-Steelers, 1, NBC, Al Michaels, Sam De Luca
Packers-Patriots, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Tom Brookshier, Dick Stockton*
Dolphins-Bills, 1, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Jets-Bengals, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Cardinals-Giants (New Haven, Conn.), 1, CBS, Dan Kelly, Wayne Walker, Brent Musburger*
Lions-Bears, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Bruce Roberts*
Oilers-Chiefs, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Dave Kocourek
Eagles-Cowboys, 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Pete Retzlaff, Frank Clarke*
Browns-Raiders, 4, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Saints-Chargers, 4, CBS, Jack Drees, Tommy Mason, Bill Thompson*
49ers-Rams, 4, CBS, Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Bart Starr, Gil Stratton*
Monday 11/19:
Vikings-Falcons, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 11, 1973 - CBS Doubleheader:
Thursday 11/22:
Redskins-Lions, 12:15, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Bart Starr, Bruce Roberts*
Dolphins-Cowboys, 3:30, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Sunday 11/25:
Giants-Eagles, 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Tim Brown, Frank Clarke*
Steelers-Browns, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Cardinals-Bengals, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Wayne Walker, Dick Stockton*
Bills-Colts, 2, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Bears-Vikings, 2, CBS, Ray Scott, Tom Brookshier, Bruce Roberts*
Rams-Saints, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Irv Cross, Gil Stratton*
Patriots-Oilers, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Dave Kocourek
Falcons-Jets, 4, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Pat Summerall, Brent Musburger*
Chiefs-Broncos, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam De Luca
Chargers-Raiders, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Monday 11/26:
Packers-49ers, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 12, 1973 - NBC Doubleheader:
Sunday 12/2:
Colts-Jets, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam De Luca
Bills-Falcons, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Vikings-Bengals, 1, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Dick Stockton*
Giants-Redskins, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Wayne Walker, Andy Musser*
Chargers-Patriots, 1, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Lions-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Jack Drees, Irv Cross, Brent Musburger*
Rams-Bears, 2, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Tom Brookshier, Gil Stratton*
Saints-Packers (Milwaukee), 2, CBS, Don Criqui, Tommy Mason, Bruce Roberts*
Raiders-Oilers, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Browns-Chiefs, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Cowboys-Broncos, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Pete Retzlaff, Frank Clarke*
Eagles-49ers, 4, CBS, Dan Kelly, Tim Brown, Ron Barr*
Monday 12/3:
Steelers-Dolphins, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 13, 1973 - CBS Doubleheader:
Saturday 12/8:
Vikings-Packers, 1, CBS, Ray Scott, Tom Brookshier, Bruce Roberts*
Chiefs-Raiders, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Sunday 12/9:
Bears-Lions, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Tim Brown, Dick Stockton*
Browns-Bengals, 1, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Oilers-Steelers, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Patriots-Bills, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Alan Miller
Jets-Eagles, 1, NBC, Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Cardinals-Falcons, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Wayne Walker, Brent Musburger*
Dolphins-Colts, 2, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam De Luca
49ers-Saints, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Irv Cross, Andy Musser*
Broncos-Chargers, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Redskins-Cowboys, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Pat Summerall, Frank Clarke*
Monday 12/10:
Giants-Rams, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
WEEK 14, 1973 - NBC Doubleheader:
Saturday 12/15:
Lions-Dolphins, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Bruce Roberts*
Note: The DET-MIA featured an experimental statistical graphics package, which included stats not normally seen in its day. 30 years or so ahead of its time, if you will.
Steelers-49ers, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis
Sunday 12/16:
Bills-Jets, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Vikings-Giants (New Haven, Conn.), 1, CBS, Ray Scott, Tom Brookshier, Andy Musser*
Saints-Falcons, 1, CBS, Jack Drees, Irv Cross, Dick Stockton*
Eagles-Redskins, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Wayne Walker, Brent Musburger*
Chargers-Chiefs, 1, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Bengals-Oilers, 2, NBC, Al Michaels, Dave Kocourek
Cowboys-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Pete Retzlaff, Frank Clarke*
Packers-Bears, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Bruce Roberts*
Patriots-Colts, 2, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Browns-Rams, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam De Luca
Broncos-Raiders, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS:
Saturday 12/22:
Redskins-Vikings, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Wayne Walker, Tommy Mason, Bruce Roberts
Steelers-Raiders, 4, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Sunday 12/23:
Bengals-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis, Tim Ryan
Rams-Cowboys, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Pat Summerall, Bart Starr, Dick Stockton
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Sunday 12/30:
Vikings-Cowboys, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Wayne Walker, Jack Whitaker, Brent Musburger
Raiders-Dolphins, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis, Sam De Luca
SUPER BOWL VIII from Houston:
Sunday 1/13: Vikings-Dolphins, 3:30, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Bart Starr (occasional analyst), Jack Whitaker
PRO BOWL from Kansas City:
Sunday 1/20: AFC-NFC, 2, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al De Rogatis