The 1970 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's debut season in the National Football League, the eighth as the Kansas City Chiefs, and eleventh overall. It began with the Chiefs attempting to defend their Super Bowl IV championship title, but ended with a 7–5–2 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1967.
Following their championship success, the Chiefs traded running back Mike Garrett, the club's all-time leading rusher at the time, to San Diego after a week 3 loss in Denver, and replaced him in the lineup with Ed Podolak.[1] Despite a 44–24 win on September 28 against the eventual Super Bowl V champion Baltimore on the second-ever telecast of ABC's Monday Night Football, the Chiefs were just 3–3–1 at the season's midpoint.[1]
One of the season's pivotal junctures came in a 17–17 tie against Oakland on November 1.[1] The Chiefs were ahead 17–14 when quarterback 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.[1] 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 goal with eight seconds remaining. Following the tie with Oakland the Chiefs' defense would permit only 43 points over the next 5 weeks, which included 4 wins and 6–6 tie with the St. Louis Cardinals at Municipal Stadium. The Cardinals had come into that game with a streak of three straight shutout wins. The Chiefs' defense held St. Louis to a late Field Goal as the game ended 6–6. After a 16–0 shutout of Denver the Chiefs had played to a 6–1–2 record over the past nine weeks to stand 7–3–2 with two weeks to play and very much looked like a team with a chance to defend its championship.
Then came the big one at Oakland, the game that decided pro football's toughest division. The Saturday game on December 12 was a stand-alone NBC national telecast. The Chiefs scored first for a 3–0 lead, it was tied 6–6 at the half. But the Raiders, behind the angry running of fullback Marv Hubbard, dominated the second half in a 20–6 division-clinching win for Oakland.
The Chiefs had a slim hope for the AFC wild card berth in the playoffs, but needed a win by Buffalo (3–9–1) in Miami and to win their season finale at San Diego. Miami jumped to a 28–0 first quarter lead and rolled to a 45–7 win, finishing at 10–4 to secure the AFC wild card. Warming up to play the Chargers, the Chiefs saw the Miami blowout and knew their reign as champions was over. Eliminated from the postseason, the Chiefs played an uninspired sleepwalk game and lost 31–13.
In the end, it was that tie in November with Oakland that ultimately cost the Chiefs the AFC West division title; Kansas City finished at 7–5–2, while the Raiders were a game ahead at 8–4–2.[1] The rules were changed several years later to assess such penalties as the Davidson-Taylor incident as dead-ball fouls after the play counted.
Offseason
NFL draft
[2]
Roster
Preseason
Regular season
Schedule
| Week
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Record
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
Recap
|
| 1
|
September 20
|
at Minnesota Vikings
|
L 10–27
|
0–1
|
Metropolitan Stadium
|
47,900
|
Recap
|
| 2
|
|
at Baltimore Colts
|
W 44–24
|
1–1
|
Memorial Stadium
|
53,911
|
Recap
|
| 3
|
October 4
|
at Denver Broncos
|
L 13–26
|
1–2
|
Mile High Stadium
|
50,705
|
Recap
|
| 4
|
October 11
|
Boston Patriots
|
W 23–10
|
2–2
|
Municipal Stadium
|
50,698
|
Recap
|
| 5
|
October 18
|
at Cincinnati Bengals
|
W 27–19
|
3–2
|
Riverfront Stadium
|
57,265
|
Recap
|
| 6
|
October 25
|
Dallas Cowboys
|
L 16–27
|
3–3
|
Municipal Stadium
|
51,158
|
Recap
|
| 7
|
November 1
|
Oakland Raiders
|
T 17–17
|
3–3–1
|
Municipal Stadium
|
51,334
|
Recap
|
| 8
|
November 8
|
Houston Oilers
|
W 24–9
|
4–3–1
|
Municipal Stadium
|
49,810
|
Recap
|
| 9
|
November 15
|
at Pittsburgh Steelers
|
W 31–14
|
5–3–1
|
Three Rivers Stadium
|
50,081
|
Recap
|
| 10
|
November 22
|
St. Louis Cardinals
|
T 6–6
|
5–3–2
|
Municipal Stadium
|
50,711
|
Recap
|
| 11
|
November 29
|
San Diego Chargers
|
W 26–14
|
6–3–2
|
Municipal Stadium
|
50,315
|
Recap
|
| 12
|
December 6
|
Denver Broncos
|
W 16–0
|
7–3–2
|
Municipal Stadium
|
50,454
|
Recap
|
| 13
|
|
at Oakland Raiders
|
L 6–20
|
7–4–2
|
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
|
54,596
|
Recap
|
| 14
|
December 20
|
at San Diego Chargers
|
L 13–31
|
7–5–2
|
San Diego Stadium
|
41,379
|
Recap
|
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
|
Game summaries
Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 26-yard field goal. Vikings 17–10.
Fourth quarter
- MIN – Oscar Reed 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–10.
- MIN – Fred Cox 40-yard field goal. Vikings 27–10.
|
Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 18/27, 164 yards, TD, 2 INT
- MIN – Gary Cuozzo – 12/20, 100 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- KC – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 100 yards, TD
- MIN – John Beasley – 3 receptions, 41 yards
|
|
Week 2: at Baltimore Colts
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- BAL – Jim O'Brien 26-yard field goal. Chiefs 31–10.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 17-yard field goal. Chiefs 34–10.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Frank Pitts 4-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 41–10.
- BAL – Eddie Hinton 21-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Jim O'Brien kick). Chiefs 41–17.
- BAL – Tom Mitchell 2-yard pass from Earl Morrall (Jim O'Brien kick). Chiefs 41–24.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 48-yard field goal. Chiefs 44–24.
|
Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 9/12, 152 yards, 4 TD, INT
- BAL – Earl Morrall – 17/36, 243 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- KC – Frank Pitts – 3 receptions, 62 yards, 2 TD
- BAL – Eddie Hinton – 11 receptions, 190 yards, TD
|
|
Week 3: at Denver Broncos
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 11-yard field goal. Broncos 17–6.
- KC – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Broncos 17–13.
Fourth quarter
- DEN – Bobby Howfield 12-yard field goal. Broncos 20–13.
- DEN – Bobby Howfield 47-yard field goal. Broncos 23–13.
- DEN – Bobby Howfield 28-yard field goal. Broncos 26–13.
|
Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 10/26, 109 yards, 3 INT
- DEN – Pete Liske – 15/25, 135 yards, TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
Week 4: vs. Boston Patriots
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–3.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 42-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 44-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–3.
- KC – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 20–3.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 24-yard field goal. Chiefs 23–3.
- BOS – Bake Turner 12-yard pass from Joe Kapp (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 23–10.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
- BOS – Bake Turner – 2 receptions, 24 yards, TD
- KC – Robert Holmes – 2 receptions, 28 yards
|
|
Week 5: at Cincinnati Bengals
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- CIN – Horst Mühlmann 42-yard field goal. Chiefs 24–12.
- CIN – Bruce Coslet 7-yard pass from Virgil Carter (Horst Mühlmann kick). Chiefs 24–19.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 24-yard field goal. Chiefs 27–19.
|
Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 8/18, 174 yards, 2 TD
- CIN – Virgil Carter – 23/47, 180 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
- KC – Ed Podolak – 16 rushes, 52 yards
- CIN – Jess Phillips – 12 rushes, 37 yards
Top receivers
- KC – Ed Podolak – 3 receptions, 78 yards, TD
- CIN – Chip Myers – 6 receptions, 68 yards
|
|
Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 6: Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- DAL – Mike Clark 34-yard field goal. Chiefs 7–6.
- DAL – Duane Thomas 1-yard run (Mike Clark kick). Cowboys 13–7.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 33-yard field goal. Cowboys 13–10.
Third quarter
- DAL – Duane Thomas 47-yard run (Mike Clark kick). Cowboys 20–10.
- DAL – Bob Hayes 89-yard pass from Craig Morton (Mike Clark kick). Cowboys 27–10.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 32-yard field goal. Cowboys 27–13.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 22-yard field goal. Cowboys 27–16.
|
Top passers
- DAL – Craig Morton – 7/14, 160 yards, TD
- KC – Len Dawson – 17/38, 219 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- DAL – Bob Hayes – 2 receptions, 100 yards, TD
- KC – Ed Podolak – 2 receptions, 74 yards
|
|
Week 7: vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 7: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 1
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 40 °F (4 °C)
- Game attendance: 51,334
- Referee: Bob Finley
- TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Kyle Rote
- Box score
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- OAK – Raymond Chester 8-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick). Raiders 14–7.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 33-yard field goal. Raiders 14–10.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Otis Taylor 13-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 17–14.
- OAK – George Blanda 40-yard field goal. Tie 17–17.
|
Top passers
- OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 13/28, 125 yards, 2 TD
- KC – Len Dawson – 8/14, 174 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 2 receptions, 33 yards
- KC – Otis Taylor – 4 receptions, 129 yards, TD
|
|
Week 8: vs. Houston Oilers
Week 8: Houston Oilers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 8
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C)
- Game attendance: 49,810
- Referee: Bernie Ulman
- TV announcers (NBC): Bill Enis and George Ratterman
- Box score
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- HOU – Roy Gerela 18-yard field goal. Chiefs 7–6.
- KC – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–6.
Third quarter
- HOU – Roy Gerela 48-yard field goal. Chiefs 14–9.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Bobby Bell 45-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 21–9.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 39-yard field goal. Chiefs 24–9.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
- HOU – Mike Richardson – 10 rushes, 57 yards
- KC – Wendell Hayes – 14 rushes, 82 yards, TD
Top receivers
|
|
Week 9: at Pittsburgh Steelers
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|
Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 19/24, 357 yards, 3 TD, INT
- PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 8/19, 74 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers
Top receivers
- KC – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 81 yards, TD
- PIT – Dave Smith – 4 receptions, 36 yards
|
|
Week 10: vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Week 10: St. Louis Cardinals at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 22
- Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 42 °F (6 °C)
- Game attendance: 50,711
- Referee: Fred Swearingen
- TV announcers (CBS): Ray Scott, Pat Summerall and Bruce Roberts
- Box score
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 15-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–0.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- STL – Jim Bakken 14-yard field goal. Tied 6–6.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
Week 11: vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 11: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: November 29
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C)
- Game attendance: 50,315
- Referee: Jim Tunney
- TV announcers (NBC): Jim Simpson and Al DeRogatis
- Box score
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 39-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–7.
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 17-yard field goal. Chiefs 23–7.
- SD – Gary Garrison 28-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick). Chiefs 23–14.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 26-yard field goal. Chiefs 26–14.
|
Top passers
- SD – John Hadl – 15/26, 155 yards, TD, 2 INT
- KC – Len Dawson – 17/24, 208 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers
- SD – Dickie Post – 7 rushes, 13 yards, TD
- KC – Ed Podolak – 19 rushes, 52 yards
Top receivers
- SD – Dickie Post – 6 receptions, 53 yards
- KC – Morris Stroud – 1 reception, 50 yards, TD
|
|
Week 12: vs. Denver Broncos
Week 12: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
- KC – Ed Podolak 65-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0.
- KC – Jan Stenerud 35-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–0.
Second quarter
Third quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 14-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–0.
Fourth quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 34-yard field goal. Chiefs 16–0.
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
Week 13: at Oakland Raiders
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
- OAK – George Blanda 23-yard field goal. Tied 3–3.
- OAK – George Blanda 35-yard field goal. Raiders 6–3.
Third quarter
- OAK – Marv Hubbard 6-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 13–3.
Fourth quarter
|
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
|
|
Week 14: at San Diego Chargers
Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California
- Date: December 20
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C)
- Game attendance: 41,379
- Referee: Norm Schachter
- TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and Gordy Soltau
- Recap
| Game information
|
|
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
- KC – Jan Stenerud 10-yard field goal. Chargers 17–13.
- SD – Willie Frazier 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick). Chargers 24–13.
Fourth quarter
- SD – Mike Garrett 44-yard pass from John Hadl (Mike Mercer kick). Chargers 31–13.
|
Top passers
- KC – Len Dawson – 14/21, 161 yards, TD
- SD – John Hadl – 16/27, 277 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers
- KC – Ed Podolak – 14 rushes, 56 yards
- SD – Mike Garrett – 10 rushes, 60 yards, TD
Top receivers
- KC – Gloster Richardson – 1 reception, 61 yards, TD
- SD – Gary Garrison – 5 receptions, 149 yards
|
|
Standings
- Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
References
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| Franchise | |
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| Stadiums | |
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| Key personnel | |
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| Culture | |
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| Lore | |
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| Rivalries | |
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| Wild card berths (10) | |
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| Division championships (17) | |
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| Conference championships (5) | |
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| League championships (5) | |
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| Retired numbers | |
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| Media | |
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| Current league affiliations | |
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| Former league affiliation | |
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