1973 Cincinnati Bengals season
Encyclopedia
The 1973
Cincinnati Bengals
season was the team's 6th year in professional football and its 4th with the National Football League
.
The Bengals split their first eight games, then swept their last six to win their second AFC Central Division title.
Cincinnati for the second time made the playoffs, losing to the eventual Super Bowl winner (Miami 34–16) for the second time as well.
RB Essex Johnson became the first Bengal to achieve 100+ yards rushing and receiving in the same game. He rushed for 121 yards on 21 carries and got 116 yards on two receptions on Sept. 30, 1973 at San Diego.
1973 NFL season
The 1973 NFL season was the 54th regular season of the National Football League. The season featured O.J. Simpson becoming the first man to rush for 2,000 yards in one season...
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
season was the team's 6th year in professional football and its 4th with the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
The Bengals split their first eight games, then swept their last six to win their second AFC Central Division title.
Cincinnati for the second time made the playoffs, losing to the eventual Super Bowl winner (Miami 34–16) for the second time as well.
RB Essex Johnson became the first Bengal to achieve 100+ yards rushing and receiving in the same game. He rushed for 121 yards on 21 carries and got 116 yards on two receptions on Sept. 30, 1973 at San Diego.
NFL Draft
| 1973 Cincinnati Bengals Draft | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Pick # | Overall | Name | Position | College |
| 1 | 15 | 15 | Isaac Curtis Isaac Curtis Isaac Fisher Curtis is a former professional American football wide receiver who played his entire National Football League career with the Cincinnati Bengals .-College career:... |
Wide Receiver | San Diego State |
| 2 | 17 | 43 | Albert Chandler | Tight End | Oklahoma University of Oklahoma The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its... |
| 3 | 16 | 68 | Tim George | Wide Receiver | Carson-Newman Carson-Newman College Carson–Newman College is a historically Baptist liberal arts college located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, United States. Enrollment as of 2006-2007 was about 2,050. The college's students come from 44 U.S. states and 30 other countries. Studies are offered in approximately 90 different academic... |
| 5 | 17 | 121 | Bob McCall | Running Back | Arizona |
| 6 | 16 | 146 | Bob Jones | Defensive Back | Virginia Union |
| 7 | 15 | 171 | Robert Maddox | Defensive End | Frostburg State Frostburg State University Frostburg State University is a four-year university located on a campus in Frostburg, Maryland, in Western Maryland, and is part of the University System of Maryland. FSU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.-History:... |
| 8 | 17 | 199 | Joe Wilson | Running Back | Holy Cross College of the Holy Cross The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA... |
| 9 | 16 | 224 | John Dampeer | Guard | Notre Dame University of Notre Dame The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States... |
| 10 | 15 | 249 | Lenvil Elliott Lenvil Elliott Lenvil Elliott was a former professional American football player who played running back for nine seasons in the National Football League. He was a part of the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XVI winning team.-Early life:... |
Running Back | Northeast Missouri State Truman State University Truman State University is a public liberal arts and sciences university in Missouri, United States and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. About 6,000 students attend Truman, pursuing degrees in 43 undergraduate and 9 Graduate programs. It is located in Kirksville in... |
| 11 | 17 | 277 | William Montgomery | Defensive Back | Morehouse Morehouse College Morehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Wabash College, Morehouse is one of three remaining traditional men's colleges in the United States.... |
| 12 | 16 | 302 | Charles Clark Boobie Clark Charles Lee "Boobie" Clark was a professional American football running back who played in the National Football League for eight seasons and was named the UPI AFL-AFC Rookie of the Year for 1973.-Early years:... |
Running Back | Bethune-Cookman |
| 13 | 15 | 327 | Brooks West | Defensive Tackle | UTEP |
| 14 | 17 | 355 | Hurles Scales Hurles Scales Hurles Scales is a former defensive back in the National Football League. He played at the University of North Texas and was drafted in the fourteenth round of the 1973 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals but would later split the 1974 NFL season between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago... |
Defensive Back | North Texas State |
| 15 | 16 | 380 | Ted McNulty | Quarterback | Indiana |
| 16 | 15 | 405 | Harry Unger | Running Back | Auburn Auburn University Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts... |
| 17 | 17 | 433 | Wayne Estabrook | Quarterback | Whittier Whittier College Whittier College is a private liberal arts college in Whittier, California. As of January 2009, the college has approximately 1540 enrolled students.-Overview:... |
Schedule
| 1973 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Attendance | Stadium |
| September 16 | at Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L | 10–28 | |
Mile High Stadium Mile High Stadium Mile High Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that stood in Denver, Colorado, from 1948 until 2001.It hosted the Denver Broncos, of the AFL and the NFL, from 1960-2000, the Colorado Rockies, of the National League, of the MLB, from 1993-1994, the Colorado Rapids, of MLS, from 1996-2001, the... |
| September 23 | Houston Oilers Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
W | 24–10 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| September 30 | at San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W | 20–13 | |
San Diego Stadium Qualcomm Stadium Qualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area.... |
| October 7 | at Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L | 10–17 | |
Cleveland Stadium Cleveland Stadium Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football... |
| October 14 | Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
W | 19–7 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| October 21 | Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... |
W | 14–6 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| October 28 | at Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
L | 13–20 | |
Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to... |
| November 4 | at Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... |
L | 10–38 | |
Texas Stadium Texas Stadium Texas Stadium was a football stadium in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The stadium opened on September 17, 1971.Built to replace the aging Cotton Bowl, it was the home field of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, and had a seating capacity of 65,675... |
| November 11 | at Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W | 16–13 | |
Rich Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium Ralph Wilson Stadium is a football stadium, located in the town of Orchard Park, a suburb of Buffalo, New York. It is the home for the Buffalo Bills, of the NFL... |
| November 18 | New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W | 20–14 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| November 25 | St. Louis Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W | 42–24 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| December 2 | Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
W | 27–0 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| December 9 | Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W | 34–17 | |
Riverfront Stadium |
| December 16 | at Houston Oilers Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
W | 27–24 | |
Astrodome Reliant Astrodome Reliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome, is the world's first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, located in Houston, Texas, USA. The stadium is part of the Reliant Park complex... |
Standings
| AFC Central | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | 286 | 231 | W-6 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers 1973 Pittsburgh Steelers season - Week 1 : Detroit Lions :at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* Game time:* Game weather:* Game attendance: 48,913* Referee: Fred Wyant* TV announcers:- Game summary :... |
10 | 4 | 0 | .714 | 347 | 210 | W-2 |
| Cleveland Browns 1973 Cleveland Browns season The 1973 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 24th season with the National Football League.-NFL Draft:The following were selected in the 1973 NFL Draft.-Exhibition schedule:-Regular season schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
7 | 5 | 2 | .571 | 234 | 255 | L-2 |
| Houston Oilers 1973 Houston Oilers season The 1973 Houston Oilers season was the 4th season in league and the 14th overall. The team matched their previous season's output of 1–13. They missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
1 | 13 | 0 | .071 | 199 | 447 | L-6 |
Team stats
| 1973 Cincinnati Bengals Team Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| TEAM STATS | Bengals | Opponents |
| TOTAL FIRST DOWNS | 252 | 219 |
| Rushing | 124 | 109 |
| Passing | 108 | 97 |
| Penalty | 20 | 13 |
| TOTAL NET YARDS | 4512 | 3705 |
| Avg Per Game | 322.3 | 264.6 |
| Total Plays | 871 | 840 |
| Avg. Per Play | 5.2 | 4.4 |
| NET YARDS RUSHING | 2236 | 1807 |
| Avg. Per Game | 159.7 | 129.1 |
| Total Rushes | 515 | 459 |
| NET YARDS PASSING | 2276 | 1898 |
| Avg. Per Game | 162.6 | 135.6 |
| Sacked Yards Lost | 24–163 | 43–342 |
| Gross Yards | 2439 | 2240 |
| Att. Completions | 332–180 | 338–182 |
| Completion Pct. | 54.2 | 53.8 |
| Intercepted | 12 | 18 |
| PUNTS-AVERAGE | 68–41 | 77–41.7 |
| PENALTIES-YARDS | 83–799 | 78–710 |
| FUMBLES-BALL LOST | 25–14 | 31–16 |
| TOUCHDOWNS | 32 | 27 |
| Rushing | 13 | 15 |
| Passing | 18 | 9 |
| Returns | 1 | 3 |
| Score by Periods | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | 39 | 100 | 79 | 68 | 286 |
| Opponents | 50 | 61 | 58 | 62 | 231 |
Team leaders
- Passing: Ken Anderson (329 Att, 179 Comp, 2428 Yds, 54.4 Pct, 18 TD, 12 Int, 81.2 Rating)
- Rushing: Essex Johnson (195 Att, 997 Yds, 5.1 Avg, 46 Long, 4 TD)
- Receiving: Isaac Curtis (45 Rec, 843 Yds, 18.7 Avg, 77 Long, 9 TD)
- Scoring: Horst Muhlmann, 94 points (21 FG; 31 PAT)
Roster
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Ken Avery Kenneth William Avery is a former college and professional American football player. He played college football at University of Southern Mississippi, where he was a linebacker... Jim LeClair James Michael LeClair is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the National Football League with the Cincinnati Bengals... Tim Kearney Timothy Edward Kearney is a former American football linebacker who played ten seasons in the National Football League, mainly for the St. Louis Cardinals.... Al Beauchamp Alfred Beauchamp is a former American football linebacker. he played college football at Southern University, and played professionally in the American Football League in 1968 and 1969 for the Cincinnati Bengals, and for the National Football League's Bengals from 1970 through 1975 and the... Ron Pritchard Ronald David Pritchard is a former American football linebacker who played nine seasons with the Houston Oilers and the Cincinnati Bengals, first in the American Football League, then in the National Football League.... Bill Bergey William Earl Bergey is a former American collegiate and Professional Football player. He played collegiately for Arkansas State University and for the American Football League's Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL Philadelphia Eagles.... Defensive Backs
Special Teams
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Postseason
| Playoffs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Opponent | W-L | Score | Attendance | Stadium |
| December 23 | at Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L | 16–34 | |
Miami Orange Bowl Miami Orange Bowl The Orange Bowl, formerly Burdine Stadium, was an outdoor athletic stadium in Miami, Florida, west of downtown in Little Havana. Considered a landmark, it was the home stadium for the Miami Hurricanes college football team... |
Awards and records
- RB Boobie ClarkBoobie ClarkCharles Lee "Boobie" Clark was a professional American football running back who played in the National Football League for eight seasons and was named the UPI AFL-AFC Rookie of the Year for 1973.-Early years:...
(AFC Rookie of the Year) - WR Isaac CurtisIsaac CurtisIsaac Fisher Curtis is a former professional American football wide receiver who played his entire National Football League career with the Cincinnati Bengals .-College career:...
, Led AFC Rookies, Receiving Yards, 843 yards
Pro Bowl Selections
- WR Isaac CurtisIsaac CurtisIsaac Fisher Curtis is a former professional American football wide receiver who played his entire National Football League career with the Cincinnati Bengals .-College career:...
- DT Mike Reid
- TE Bob TrumpyBob TrumpyBob Trumpy is a former professional American Football tight end who played for the American Football League's Cincinnati Bengals from 1968 to 1969, and for the NFL Bengals from 1970 through 1977...