1970 Kansas City Chiefs season

Infobox NFL_season
team = Kansas City Chiefs
year = 1970
record = 7-5-2
division_place = 2nd AFC West
coach = Hank Stram
stadium = Municipal Stadium
playoffs = Did not qualify

The 1970 Kansas City Chiefs season began with the Chiefs attempting the defend their championship but ended with a 7-5-2 record and no playoff berth.

Following their championship success, the Chiefs traded running back Mike Garrett, whom was the club’s all-time leading rusher at the time, to San Diego and replaced in the lineup by Ed Podolak. Despite a 44-24 win against Baltimore on September 28 in just the second-ever telecast of ABC’s "Monday Night Football" package, the Chiefs owned a 3-3-1 record at the season’s midpoint. [http://www.kcchiefs.com/history/70s Kansas City Chiefs History 1970's] ] One of the season’s pivotal junctures came in a 17-17 tie against Oakland on November 1. The Chiefs were ahead 17-14 when Len Dawson apparently sealed the win, running for a first down which would have allowed Kansas City to run out the clock. While on the ground, Dawson was speared by Raiders defensive end Ben Davidson in an infamous incident that cost the Chiefs a victory and further inflamed the already heated Chiefs-Raiders rivalry. Wide receiver Otis Taylor retaliated and a bench-clearing brawl ensued. Offsetting penalties were called, nullifying Dawson’s first down. The Chiefs were forced to punt and Raiders kicker George Blanda eventually booted a game-tying field with eight seconds remaining. That tie ultimately cost the Chiefs the opportunity to split the AFC West division title with Oakland as Kansas City finished the year with a 7-5-2 record, while the Raiders went 8-4-2.

Offseason

NFL Draft

[ [http://www.databasefootball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?lg=nfl&yr=1970 1970 NFL Draft on databaseFootball.com ] ]

Regular Season

eason Standings

[ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York,NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 297 ]

References