1975 NFL Season
As originally written by Tim Brulia and Jimmy Delach:
NBC at last adds a pregame show, which becomes a wraparound pregame, halftime and postgame show entitled "GrandStand" and hosted by Jack Buck.
CBS fine tunes its wraparound show and after a year's hiatus, brings back "The NFL Today" title. The show is anchored by Brent Musburger, assisted by Irv Cross and Phyllis George.
One last important note: with NBC committing fully to a studio halftime show, no network any longer shows the halftime entertainment at game sites. CBS last showed on site halftime entertainment in 1972. ABC, since its return to pro football with Monday Night Football in 1970, had never showed halftime shows from the games, instead showing highlights from the previous Sunday games as narrated by Howard Cosell.
PRESEASON
Friday 8/1: Steelers-College All-Stars (Chicago), 9:30, ABC. Keith Jackson, Bud Wilkinson, Howard Cosell
Saturday 8/2: Redskins-Bengals (Canton, OH - Hall of Fame Game), 4:00, ABC. Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
Sunday 8/17: Steelers-Raiders (Berkeley, CA), 3:30, CBS. Lindsey Nelson, Sonny Jurgensen
Saturday 8/23: Rams-Bills, 9:00, NBC. Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Saturday 8/30: Patriots-Packers (Milwaukee), 9:00, NBC. Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Monday 9/1: Dolphins-Vikings, 9:00, ABC. Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
Friday 9/5: Raiders-Cowboys, 9:00, NBC. Curt Gowdy, Don Meredith
Saturday 9/6: Cardinals-Vikings, 7:00, ABC. Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
Sunday 9/7: Jets-Redskins, 9:00, ABC. Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
Sunday 9/14: Patriots-Jets (New Haven, CT), 1:00, CBS. CANCELLED BY PLAYER STRIKE - scheduled announcers were Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier. Tape of the 9/13 PIT-DAL game was shown in its place.
Sunday 9/14: Cardinals-Broncos, 4:00, CBS. Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins
NOTE: The 9/6 game had the odd starting time of 7:00 Eastern because ABC presumably wanted to avoid going up against the Miss America pageant on NBC, which was still a ratings powerhouse at the time...
WEEK 1, 1975 - CBS Doubleheader:
Sunday 9/21:
Browns-Bengals, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Oilers-Patriots, 1, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Saints-Redskins, 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins
Giants-Eagles, 1, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Jets-Bills, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, Don Meredith
Falcons-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Al Michaels, Wayne Walker
Colts-Bears, 2, NBC, Tim Ryan, Mike Haffner
Lions-Packers (Milwaukee), 2, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
49ers-Vikings, 2, CBS, Paul Hornung, Hank Stram
Chiefs-Broncos, 4, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Rams-Cowboys, 4, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Sonny Jurgensen
Steelers-Chargers, 4, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Monday 9/22:
Raiders-Dolphins, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 2, 1975 - NBC Doubleheader:
Sunday 9/28:
Lions-Falcons, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Alex Hawkins
Dolphins-Patriots, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Vikings-Browns, 1, CBS, Don Criqui, Sonny Jurgensen
Giants-Redskins, 1, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Bengals-Saints, 2, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Jets-Chiefs, 2, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Raiders-Colts, 2, NBC, Tim Ryan, Mike Haffner
Eagles-Bears, 2, CBS, Paul Hornung, Johnny Morris
Cardinals-Cowboys, 2, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Chargers-Oilers, 2, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Bills-Steelers, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Don Meredith
Rams-49ers, 4, CBS, Al Michaels, Wayne Walker
Monday 9/29:
Packers-Broncos, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 3, 1975 - CBS Doubleheader:
Sunday 10/5:
Broncos-Bills, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Patriots-Jets, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Al DeRogatis
Saints-Falcons, 1, CBS, Don Criqui, Sonny Jurgensen
Steelers-Browns, 1, NBC, Bill O'Donnell, Sam DeLuca
Bears-Vikings, 2, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Bengals-Oilers, 2, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Dolphins-Packers, 2, NBC, Tim Ryan, Mike Haffner
Giants-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Vin Scully, Hank Stram
49ers-Chiefs, 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins
Colts-Rams, 4, WJZ-Baltimore, Stu Nahan, Paul Maguire
Raiders-Chargers, 4, KHBK-San Francisco, Don Klein, Al LoCasale
Redskins-Eagles, 4, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Monday 10/6:
Cowboys-Lions, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 4, 1975 - CBS Doubleheader:
Sunday 10/12:
Bears-Lions, 1, CBS, Paul Hornung, Johnny Morris
Cowboys-Giants, 1, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Broncos-Steelers, 1, KBTV-Denver, John Rayburn, Bob Kurtz, Fred Gehrke
Oilers-Browns, 1, KDOG-Houston, Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Patriots-Bengals, 1, Not televised
Jets-Vikings, 1, WCBS-New York; WCCO-Minneapolis, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Bills-Colts, 2, WKBW-Buffalo, Rick Azar, Paul Maguire
Packers-Saints, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Sonny Jurgensen
Falcons-49ers, 4, CBS, Al Michaels, Wayne Walker
Rams-Chargers, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins
Raiders-Chiefs, 4, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Eagles-Dolphins, 4, CBS, Vin Scully, Hank Stram
Monday 10/13:
Cardinals-Redskins, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 5, 1975 - CBS and NBC Doubleheader:
Sunday 10/19:
Colts-Patriots, 1, NBC, Bill O’Donnell, Sam DeLuca
Bears-Steelers, 1, CBS, Paul Hornung, Johnny Morris
Dolphins-Jets, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Al DeRogatis
Packers-Cowboys, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Tim Van Galder
Eagles-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Redskins-Oilers, 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins
Falcons-Rams, 4, CBS, Al Michaels, Wayne Walker
Browns-Broncos, 4, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Lions-Vikings, 4, CBS, Vin Scully, Hank Stram
Chiefs-Chargers, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Saints-49ers, 4, CBS, Don Criqui, Analyst Unknown
Raiders-Bengals, 4, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie, Don Meredith
Monday 10/20:
Giants-Bills, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 6, 1975 - NBC Doubleheader:
Saturday 10/25:
Cardinals-Giants, 1, KSD-St. Louis, Jay Randolph, Ron Jacober
Sunday 10/26:
Colts-Jets, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Bengals-Falcons, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Cowboys-Eagles, 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins
49ers-Patriots, 1, CBS, Al Michaels, Tim Van Galder
Redskins-Browns, 1, CBS, Gary Bender, Sonny Jurgensen
Lions-Oilers, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Paul Hornung
Broncos-Chiefs, 2, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Steelers-Packers (Milwaukee), 2, NBC, Bill O’Donnell, Mike Haffner
Dolphins-Bills, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, Don Meredith
Saints-Rams, 4, CBS, Vin Scully, Hank Stram
Chargers-Raiders, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Monday 10/27:
Vikings-Bears, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 7, 1975 - CBS Doubleheader:
Saturday 11/1:
Chargers-Giants, 1, Not televised
Sunday 11/2:
Bills-Jets, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Vikings-Packers, 1, CBS, Vin Scully, Hank Stram
Steelers-Bengals, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Falcons-Saints, 2, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Browns-Colts, 2, NBC, Bill O’Donnell, Mike Haffner
Oilers-Chiefs, 2, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Dolphins-Bears, 2, NBC, Tim Ryan, Lionel Aldridge
Patriots-Cardinals, 2, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Cowboys-Redskins, 4, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Lions-49ers, 4, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Paul Hornung
Raiders-Broncos, 4, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Monday 11/3:
Rams-Eagles, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 8, 1975 - NBC Doubleheader:
Sunday 11/9:
Colts-Bills, 1, NBC, Bill O’Donnell, Mike Haffner
Browns-Lions, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Oilers-Steelers, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Cardinals-Eagles, 1, CBS, Gary Bender, Alex Hawkins
Redskins-Giants, 1, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Falcons-Vikings, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Sonny Jurgensen
Packers-Bears, 2, CBS, Paul Hornung, Johnny Morris
Bengals-Broncos, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Patriots-Chargers, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Saints-Raiders, 4, CBS, Al Michaels, Johnny Unitas
Jets-Dolphins, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
49ers-Rams, 4, CBS, Vin Scully, Hank Stram
Monday 11/10:
Chiefs-Cowboys, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 9, 1975 - CBS Doubleheader:
Sunday 11/16:
Cowboys-Patriots, 1, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Packers-Lions, 1, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Chiefs-Steelers, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Rams-Falcons, 1, CBS, Al Michaels, Hank Stram
Eagles-Giants, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Alex Hawkins
Dolphins-Oilers, 2, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Vikings-Saints, 2, CBS, Don Criqui, Wayne Walker
Jets-Colts, 2, NBC, Bill O’Donnell, Sam DeLuca
Bears-49ers, 4, CBS, Paul Hornung, Johnny Morris
Browns-Raiders, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Broncos-Chargers, 4, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Redskins-Cardinals, 4, CBS, Vin Scully, Sonny Jurgensen
Monday 11/17:
Bills-Bengals, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 10, 1975 - NBC Doubleheader:
Sunday 11/23:
Colts-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Bill O’Donnell, Lionel Aldridge
Bengals-Browns, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Broncos-Falcons, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Patriots-Bills, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Cardinals-Jets, 1, CBS, Vin Scully, Sonny Jurgensen
Lions-Chiefs, 2, CBS, Al Michaels, Hank Stram
Giants-Packers (Milwaukee), 2, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Eagles-Cowboys, 2, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Chargers-Vikings, 2, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
49ers-Saints, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Alex Hawkins
Bears-Rams, 4, CBS, Paul Hornung, Johnny Morris
Raiders-Redskins, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Don Meredith
Monday 11/24:
Steelers-Oilers, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 11, 1975 - CBS Doubleheader:
Thursday 11/27:
Rams-Lions, 12:30, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Bills-Cardinals, 3:30, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, Don Meredith
Sunday 11/30:
Oilers-Bengals, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Saints-Browns, 1, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Steelers-Jets, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
49ers-Eagles, 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Hank Stram
Bears-Packers, 2, CBS, Paul Hornung, Johnny Morris
Chiefs-Colts, 2, NBC, Bill O'Donnell, Sam DeLuca
Giants-Cowboys, 2, CBS, Vin Scully, Sonny Jurgensen
Falcons-Raiders, 4, CBS, Al Michaels, Wayne Walker
Vikings-Redskins, 4, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Chargers-Broncos, 4, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Monday 12/1:
Patriots-Dolphins, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 12, 1975 - NBC Doubleheader:
Sunday 12/7:
Colts-Giants, 1, NBC, Dick Stockton, Al DeRogatis
Bengals-Eagles, 1, NBC, Bill O’Donnell, Paul Maguire
Browns-Steelers, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Mike Haffner
Jets-Patriots, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Redskins-Falcons, 1, CBS, Vin Scully, Sonny Jurgensen
Cowboys-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins
Lions-Bears, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Paul Hornung
Packers-Vikings, 2, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Rams-Saints, 2, CBS, Al Michaels, Hank Stram
Chargers-Chiefs, 2, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Bills-Dolphins, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Don Meredith
Oilers-49ers, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Monday 12/8:
Broncos-Raiders, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 13, 1975 - CBS Doubleheader:
Saturday 12/13:
Bengals-Steelers, 12:30, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Don Meredith
Redskins-Cowboys, 3:30, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Sunday 12/14:
Bills-Patriots, 1, NBC, <unknown>, Al DeRogatis
Chiefs-Browns, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Sam DeLuca
Saints-Giants, 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Hank Stram
49ers-Falcons, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Alex Hawkins
Dolphins-Colts, 2, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Cardinals-Bears, 2, CBS, Paul Hornung, Johnny Morris
Packers-Rams, 4, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Oilers-Raiders, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, <unknown>
Vikings-Lions, 4, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Eagles-Broncos, 4, CBS, Al Michaels, Wayne Walker
Monday 12/15:
Jets-Chargers, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
WEEK 14, 1975 - NBC Doubleheader:
Saturday 12/20:
Vikings-Bills, 12:30, CBS, Vin Scully, Sonny Jurgensen
Broncos-Dolphins, 3:30, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Steelers-Rams, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell
Sunday 12/21:
Cowboys-Jets, 1, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier
Eagles-Redskins, 1, CBS, Al Michaels, Wayne Walker
Cardinals-Lions, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Alex Hawkins
Chargers-Bengals, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Falcons-Packers, 2, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Bears-Saints, 2, CBS, Paul Hornung, Johnny Morris
Browns-Oilers, 2, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Patriots-Colts, 2, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Chiefs-Raiders, 4, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie
Giants-49ers, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Hank Stram
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS:
Saturday 12/27:
Colts-Steelers, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, John Brodie, Don Meredith
Cardinals-Rams, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Hank Stram
Sunday 12/28:
Cowboys-Vikings, 1, CBS, Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas
Bengals-Raiders, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Sunday 1/4:
Raiders-Steelers, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, Don Meredith
Cowboys-Rams, 4, CBS, Vin Scully, Sonny Jurgensen
SUPER BOWL X from Miami:
Sunday 1/18: Cowboys-Steelers, 2, CBS, Pat Summerall, Tom Brookshier (until roughly 5:00 left in the 4th quarter), Hank Stram (roughly last 5:00 of the game)
Pro Bowl from New Orleans:
Monday 1/26: AFC-NFC, 8:30, ABC, Frank Gifford, Alex Karras, Howard Cosell, Dave Diles