1973 NFL Season

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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

Friday 7/27: Dolphins-College All-Stars (Chicago), 9:30, ABC. Chris Schenkel, Bud Wilkinson, Howard Cosell

Saturday 7/28: 49ers-Patriots (Canton, OH - Hall of Fame Game), 4:00, ABC. Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell

Saturday 8/18: Vikings-Chiefs, 9:00, NBC. Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis

Friday 8/24: Rams-Dolphins, 8:00, NBC. Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis

Sunday 8/26: Packers-Chiefs, 9:00, ABC. Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell

Friday 8/31: Dolphins-Vikings, 9:00, CBS. Jack Whitaker, Pat Summerall, Brent Musburger

Saturday 9/1: Lions-Browns, 8:00, NBC. Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis

Thursday 9/6: Dolphins-Cowboys, 9:00, CBS. Frank Glieber, Pat Summerall

Sunday 9/9: Bears-Redskins, 8:30, CBS. 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 DeRogatis

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 DeLuca

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 DeLuca

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, CA), 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis

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 DeRogatis

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 DeLuca

Packers-Giants (New Haven, CT), 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Tom Brookshier, Dick Stockton*

Jets-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Al DeRogatis

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 DeLuca

Steelers-Bengals, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Kyle Rote

Redskins-Giants (New Haven, CT), 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Wayne Walker, Dick Stockton*

Broncos-Oilers, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Al DeRogatis

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 DeRogatis

Cardinals-Redskins, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Tom Brookshier, Andy Musser*

Patriots-Bears, 2, WLVI-Boston; WGN-Chicago, Ken Coleman, Sam DeLuca

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 DeLuca

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 DeRogatis

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 DeLuca

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 DeRogatis

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

Monday 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 DeLuca

Bengals-Bills, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire

Cowboys-Giants (New Haven, CT), 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 DeRogatis

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 DeLuca

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 DeRogatis

Cardinals-Giants (New Haven, CT), 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 DeRogatis

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 DeLuca

Chargers-Raiders, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis

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 DeLuca

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 DeRogatis

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 DeRogatis

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 DeLuca

49ers-Saints, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Irv Cross, Andy Musser*

Broncos-Chargers, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis

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 DeRogatis

Sunday 12/16:

Bills-Jets, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote

Vikings-Giants (New Haven, CT), 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 DeLuca

Broncos-Raiders, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis

Note: Al Michaels called CIN-HOU in place of Bill Enis, who died of a heart attack two days prior at age 39.


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 DeRogatis, 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 DeRogatis, Sam DeLuca


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 DeRogatis