1973 Oakland Raiders season

NFL team season

The 1973 Oakland Raiders season was the team's 14th season, and fourth in the National Football League.

In Week Two of the regular season, the Raiders defeated the Miami Dolphins, ending Miami's 18-game winning-streak including a perfect season in 1972.

For the third time in four seasons, the Raiders won the AFC West title. They exacted a measure of revenge by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Division Round game, one year following the Immaculate Reception loss. But the Raiders failed to reach the Super Bowl as they lost to Miami in the AFC Championship Game.

Offseason

Draft

1973 Oakland Raiders draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 23 Ray Guy * †  P Southern Miss
2 49 Monte Johnson  LB Nebraska
4 92 Perry Smith  DB Colorado State
4 101 Joe Wylie  RB Oklahoma
5 124 Louis Neal  WR Prairie View A&M
5 127 Ron Mikolajczyk  OT Tampa
6 153 Brent Myers  OT Purdue
7 179 Gary Weaver  LB Fresno State
8 205 Mike Rae  QB USC
9 231 Steve Sweeney  WR California
10 257 Leo Allen  WR Tuskegee
11 283 Jerry List  RB Nebraska
12 309 Jim Krapf  OG Alabama
14 361 Bruce Polen  DB William Penn
15 387 Dave Leffers  OG Vanderbilt
16 413 Jerry Gadlin  WR Wyoming
17 439 Michael Ryan  OG USC
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[1]

Roster

1973 Oakland Raiders roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists

{{{reserve_lists}}}


Practice squad



Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 16 at Minnesota Vikings L 16–24 0–1 Metropolitan Stadium 44,818
2 September 23 Miami Dolphins W 12–7 1–1 California Memorial Stadium 74,121
3 September 30 at Kansas City Chiefs L 3–16 1–2 Arrowhead Stadium 72,631
4 October 7 at St. Louis Cardinals W 17–10 2–2 Busch Memorial Stadium 49,051
5 October 14 at San Diego Chargers W 27–17 3–2 San Diego Stadium 50,672
6 October 22 at Denver Broncos T 23–23 3–2–1 Mile High Stadium 51,270
7 October 28 at Baltimore Colts W 34–21 4–2–1 Memorial Stadium 59,008
8 November 4 New York Giants W 42–0 5–2–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 51,200
9 November 11 Pittsburgh Steelers L 9–17 5–3–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 47,535
10 November 18 Cleveland Browns L 3–7 5–4–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 47,398
11 November 25 San Diego Chargers W 31–3 6–4–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 40,195
12 December 2 at Houston Oilers W 17–6 7–4–1 Houston Astrodome 25,801
13 December 8 Kansas City Chiefs W 37–7 8–4–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 53,945
14 December 16 Denver Broncos W 21–17 9–4–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 51,910
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Season summary

Week 1 at Vikings

Week One: Oakland Raiders (0–0) at Minnesota Vikings (0–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 13 3016
Vikings 10 0 7724

at Metropolitan Stadium, Bloomington, Minnesota

  • Date: September 16
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C)
  • Game attendance: 44,818
  • Referee: Tommy Bell
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 16-yard field goal. Vikings 10–3. Drive:
  • OAK – George Blanda 25-yard field goal. Vikings 10–6. Drive:
  • OAK – George Atkinson 63-yard punt return (George Blanda kick). Raiders 13–10.

Third quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 9-yard field goal. Raiders 16–10. Drive:
  • MIN – Chuck Foreman 9-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 17–16. Drive:

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Bill Brown 6-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 24–16. Drive:
Top passers
Top rushers
  • OAK – Clarence Davis – 12 rushes, 73 yards
  • MIN – Fran Tarkenton – 6 rushes, 27 yards
Top receivers
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 6 receptions, 111 yards
  • MIN – John Gilliam – 4 receptions, 90 yards, TD

Week 2 vs. Dolphins

Week Two: Miami Dolphins (1–0) at Oakland Raiders (0–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Dolphins 0 0 077
Raiders 3 3 3312

at Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California

  • Date: September 23
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 74,121
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 46-yard field goal. Raiders 6–0. Drive:

Third quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 19-yard field goal. Raiders 9–0. Drive:

Fourth quarter

Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers

The Raiders became the first team to defeat Miami since Super Bowl VI.

Week 3 at Chiefs

Week Three: Oakland Raiders (1–1) at Kansas City Chiefs (1–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 3 003
Chiefs 0 6 3716

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: September 30
  • Game time: 3:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,631
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring

Second quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 21-yard field goal. Raiders 3–0. Drive:
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 47-yard field goal. Tie 3–3. Drive:
  • KC – Jan Stenerud 41-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–3. Drive:

Third quarter

  • KC – Jan Stenerud 29-yard field goal. Chiefs 9–3. Drive:

Fourth quarter

  • KC – Willie Lanier 17-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 16–3.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • OAK – Charlie Smith – 11 rushes, 30 yards
  • KC – Wendell Hayes – 21 rushes, 83 yards
Top receivers
  • OAK – Cliff Branch – 2 receptions, 29 yards
  • KC – Wendell Hayes – 3 receptions, 23 yards

Week 4 at Cardinals

Week Four: Oakland Raiders (1–2) at St. Louis Cardinals (2–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 3 7717
Cardinals 7 0 3010

at Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Date: October 7
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 49,051
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 17-yard field goal. Cardinals 7–3. Drive:

Third quarter

  • OAK – Charlie Smith 2-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 10–7. Drive:
  • STL – Jim Bakken 12-yard field goal. Tie 10–10. Drive:

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 17–10. Drive:
Top passers
  • OAK – Ken Stabler – 19/31, 207 yards, INT
  • STL – Jim Hart – 12/27, 129 yards, TD
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 6 receptions, 66 yards
  • STL – Jackie Smith – 3 receptions, 53 yards, TD

Week 5 at Chargers

Week Five: Oakland Raiders (2–2) at San Diego Chargers (1–3)
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 6 71427
Chargers 3 0 14017

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 14
  • Game time: 2:00 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 50,672
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 18-yard field goal. Tie 3–3.
  • OAK – George Blanda 15-yard field goal. Raiders 6–3.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 20–17.
  • OAK – Bob Moore 26-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 27–17.
Top passers
  • OAK – Ken Stabler – 13/22, 193 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • SD – Dan Fouts – 12/30, 183 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
  • OAK – Marv Hubbard – 16 rushes, 76 yards, TD
  • SD – Robert Holmes – 6 rushes, 36 yards
Top receivers

Week 6 at Broncos

Week Six: Oakland Raiders (3–2) at Denver Broncos (2–3)
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 13 7323
Broncos 7 0 10623

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

Game information

First quarter

  • DEN – Bill Thompson 80-yard fumble return (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 7–0.

Second quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 35-yard field goal. Broncos 7–3.
  • OAK – Mike Siani 80-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 10–7.
  • OAK – George Blanda 13-yard field goal. Raiders 13–7.

Third quarter

  • DEN – Floyd Little 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Broncos 14–13.
  • DEN – Jim Turner 43-yard field goal. Broncos 17–13.
  • OAK – Cliff Branch 16-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 20–17.

Fourth quarter

  • DEN – Jim Turner 37-yard field goal. Tie 20–20.
  • OAK – George Blanda 49-yard field goal. Raiders 23–20.
  • DEN – Jim Turner 35-yard field goal. Tie 23–23.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • OAK – Charlie Smith – 13 rushes, 51 yards
  • DEN – Floyd Little – 22 rushes, 71 yards, TD
Top receivers

Week 7 at Colts

Week Seven: Oakland Raiders (3–2–1) at Baltimore Colts (2–4)
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 3 10 71434
Colts 0 0 71421

at Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: October 28
  • Game time: 2:00 pm. EST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 59,008
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • OAK – Mike Siani 26-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 10–0.
  • OAK – George Blanda 30-yard field goal. Raiders 13–0.

Third quarter

  • BAL – Glenn Doughty 40-yard pass from Marty Domres (George Hunt kick). Raiders 13–7.
  • OAK – Bob Moore 9-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 20–7.

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Clarence Davis 9-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 27–7.
  • BAL – Lydell Mitchell 1-yard run (George Hunt kick). Raiders 27–14.
  • BAL – Raymond Chester 15-yard pass from Marty Domres (George Hunt kick). Raiders 27–21.
  • OAK – Clarence Davis 12-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 34–21.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 6 receptions, 96 yards, TD
  • BAL – Don McCauley – 5 receptions, 72 yards

Week 8 vs. Giants

Week Eight: New York Giants (1–5–1) at Oakland Raiders (4–2–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Giants 0 0 000
Raiders 14 14 7742

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 4
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 51,200
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • OAK – Marv Hubbard 8-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 21–0.
  • OAK – Charlie Smith 18-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 28–0.

Third quarter

  • OAK – Marv Hubbard 9-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 35–0.

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Steve Sweeney 34-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick). Raiders 42–0.
Top passers
Top rushers
  • NYG – Charlie Evans – 9 rushes, 33 yards
  • OAK – Clarence Davis – 10 rushes, 63 yards, TD
Top receivers
  • NYG – Bob Grim – 4 receptions, 62 yards
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 58 yards

Week 9 vs. Steelers

Week Nine: Pittsburgh Steelers (7–1) at Oakland Raiders (5–2–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 7 7317
Raiders 0 3 069

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 11
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 47,535
  • Referee: Bernie Ulman
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • PIT – Franco Harris 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick). Steelers 14–3.

Fourth quarter

Top passers
Top rushers
  • PIT – Franco Harris – 20 rushes, 77 yards, TD
  • OAK – Charlie Smith – 13 rushes, 74 yards
Top receivers

Week 10 vs. Browns

Week Ten: Cleveland Browns (5–3–1) at Oakland Raiders (5–3–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 0 7 007
Raiders 0 0 033

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
  • Game attendance: 47,398
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • No scoring

Fourth quarter

Top passers
Top rushers
  • CLE – Ken Brown – 23 rushes, 82 yards
  • OAK – Marv Hubbard – 12 rushes, 48 yards
Top receivers

Week 11 vs. Chargers

Week Eleven: San Diego Chargers (2–7–1) at Oakland Raiders (5–4–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 0 003
Raiders 7 17 7031

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 49 °F (9 °C)
  • Game attendance: 40,195
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • OAK – George Atkinson 59-yard fumble return (George Blanda kick). Raiders 7–0.
  • SD – Dennis Partee 14-yard field goal. Raiders 7–3.

Second quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 34-yard field goal. Raiders 10–3.
  • OAK – Charlie Smith 7-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 17–3.
  • OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 16-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 24–3.

Third quarter

  • OAK – Bob Moore 1-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 31–3.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring
Top passers
  • SD – Wayne Clark – 6/15, 121 yards, INT
  • OAK – Ken Stabler – 12/22, 165 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers
  • SD – Cid Edwards – 16 rushes, 81 yards
  • OAK – Charlie Smith – 14 rushes, 66 yards
Top receivers
  • SD – Clinton Jones – 2 receptions, 47 yards
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 90 yards

Week 12 at Oilers

Week Twelve: Oakland Raiders (6–4–1) at Houston Oilers (1–10)
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 0 31417
Oilers 0 3 036

at Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 2
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. CST
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
  • Game attendance: 25,801
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 21-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 10–3.
  • HOU – Skip Butler 16-yard field goal. Raiders 10–6.
  • OAK – Marv Hubbard 4-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 17–6.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 64 yards
  • HOU – Ken Burrough – 7 receptions, 80 yards

Week 13 vs. Chiefs

Week Thirteen: Kansas City Chiefs (6–4–2) at Oakland Raiders (7–4–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 0 707
Raiders 7 13 31437

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: December 8
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 53,945
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • OAK – Marv Hubbard 31-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 14–0.
  • OAK – George Blanda 20-yard field goal. Raiders 17–0.
  • OAK – George Blanda 28-yard field goal. Raiders 20–0.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Charlie Smith 10-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 30–7.
  • OAK – Cliff Branch 3-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 37–7.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • KC – Ed Podolak – 7 receptions, 65 yards
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 5 receptions, 43 yards

Week 14 vs. Broncos

Week Fourteen: Denver Broncos (7–4–2) at Oakland Raiders (8–4–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 3 7717
Raiders 7 7 0721

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: December 16
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 51,910
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

  • OAK – Charlie Smith 1-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 7–0.

Second quarter

  • OAK – Clarence Davis 8-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 14–0.
  • DEN – Jim Turner 50-yard field goal. Raiders 14–3.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Mike Siani 31-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Raiders 21–10.
  • DEN – Riley Odoms 14-yard pass from Steve Ramsey (Jim Turner kick). Raiders 21–17.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • DEN – Riley Odoms – 7 receptions, 68 yards, TD
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 4 receptions, 62 yards, TD

Standings

AFC West
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Oakland Raiders 9 4 1 .679 4–1–1 7–3–1 292 175 W4
Kansas City Chiefs 7 5 2 .571 4–2 6–4–1 231 192 W1
Denver Broncos 7 5 2 .571 3–2–1 7–2–1 354 296 L1
San Diego Chargers 2 11 1 .179 0–6 1–9–1 188 386 L4

Playoffs

Round Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
Divisional December 22 Pittsburgh Steelers W 33–14 1–0 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 51,110
AFC Championship December 30 at Miami Dolphins L 10–27 1–1 Miami Orange Bowl 75,105

Divisional

AFC Divisional Round: Pittsburgh Steelers (10–4) at Oakland Raiders (9–4–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 7 0714
Raiders 7 3 131033

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: December 22
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. PST
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10 °C)
  • Game attendance: 51,110
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 31-yard field goal. Raiders 13–7.
  • OAK – George Blanda 22-yard field goal. Raiders 16–7.
  • OAK – Willie Brown 54-yard interception return (George Blanda kick). Raiders 23–7.

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 10-yard field goal. Raiders 26–7.
  • PIT – Frank Lewis 26-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (Roy Gerela kick). Raiders 26–14.
  • OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 33–14.
Top passers
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 12/25, 167 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
  • OAK – Ken Stabler – 14/17, 142 yards
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • PIT – Frank Lewis – 4 receptions, 70 yards, TD
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 5 receptions, 68 yards

Conference Championship

AFC Championship: Oakland Raiders (9–4–1) at Miami Dolphins (12–2)
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 0 10010
Dolphins 7 7 31027

at Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 4:00 pm. EST
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C)
  • Game attendance: 75,105
  • Box Score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • MIA – Larry Csonka 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 14–0.

Third quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 21-yard field goal. Dolphins 14–3.
  • MIA – Garo Yepremian 42-yard field goal. Dolphins 17–3.
  • OAK – Mike Siani 25-yard pass from Ken Stabler (George Blanda kick). Dolphins 17–10.

Fourth quarter

  • MIA – Garo Yepremian 27-yard field goal. Dolphins 20–10.
  • MIA – Larry Csonka 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 27–10.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
  • OAK – Mike Siani – 3 receptions, 45 yards, TD
  • MIA – Paul Warfield – 1 reception, 27 yards

Awards and honors

References

  1. ^ Football Database. Retrieved 2015-Oct-30.
  • Raiders on Pro Football Reference
  • Raiders on Database Football
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  • Founded in 1960
  • Played in Oakland, California (1960–1981, 1995–2019) and Los Angeles (1982–1994)
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  • Headquartered in Henderson, Nevada
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Wild card berths (6)
Division championships (15)
Conference championships (4)
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Las Vegas Raiders seasons
Played in Oakland (1960–1981, 1995–2019) and Los Angeles (1982–1994)
Bold indicates AFL Championship (1960–1965) or Super Bowl (1966–present) victory
Italics indicates AFL Championship (1966–1969) and/or Super Bowl (1966–present) appearance