In 1970, the AFL was absorbed into the NFL and the league reorganized with the ten AFL franchises along with three existing NFL teams: the Baltimore Colts, the Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, becoming part of the newly formed American Football Conference.
The AFL and the NFL champions faced each other in Super Bowl IV at the end of the season to determine an overall champion.
Read MoreDivision
League Champ.
Super Bowl IV
z: best record, c: conference winner, y: division winner, w: wildcard, x: clinched playoff spot
AFL Divisionals | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date | Away | Score | Home | OT | |||||||||||||||
| 12/20 | Kansas City | 13-6 | NY Jets | ||||||||||||||||
| 12/21 | Houston | 7-56 | Oakland | ||||||||||||||||
NFL Divisionals | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date | Away | Score | Home | OT | |||||||||||||||
| 12/27 | Los Angeles | 20-23 | Minnesota | ||||||||||||||||
| 12/28 | Cleveland | 38-14 | Dallas | ||||||||||||||||
NFL Championship | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date | Away | Score | Home | OT | |||||||||||||||
| 1/4 | Cleveland | 7-27 | Minnesota | ||||||||||||||||
AFL Championship | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date | Away | Score | Home | OT | |||||||||||||||
| 1/4 | Kansas City | 17-7 | Oakland | ||||||||||||||||
Super Bowl IV | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date | Away | Score | Home | OT | |||||||||||||||
| 1/11 | (NFL) Minnesota | 7-23 | Kansas City (AFL) | ||||||||||||||||
Related Content
Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring National Football League 1969 SeasonF i l t e r & S o r t Filter & Sort
2 minutes
Jan 8, 2011
...
Marshawn Lynch beast mode run vs Saints /
7 minutes
Oct 5, 2006
Fan Friday Request:
"With football starting up again could you post Frank Caliendo as John Madden?...
Fan Request: Frank Caliendo As John Madden | Letterman / Fan Friday Request:
"With football starting up again could you post Frank Caliendo as John Madden?
2 minutes
Jan 5, 1992Jan 5, 1992
Although the Cowboys held Lions' star running back Barry Sanders in check for most of...
Barry Sanders run vs Cowboys / Although the Cowboys held Lions' star running back Barry Sanders in check for most of the game, Kramer threw for 341 yards and three touchdowns and Sanders closed the scoring with an electrifying 47-yard touchdown run for a 38–6 victory. It was the Lions' first—and, to date, only—postseason victory since they won their last league championship in 1957.
42 minutes
1991
...
2 Legit 2 Quit: The ’91 Falcons Legacy in Atlanta /
54 minutes
1990–2004
Dallas Cowboys star, The NFL’s All-Time Leading rusher, Emmitt Smith joins The Pivot today for...
Emmitt Smith: Dallas Cowboys, Walter Payton, NFL Records & Moving On / Dallas Cowboys star, The NFL’s All-Time Leading rusher, Emmitt Smith joins The Pivot today for a conversation you don’t want to miss!
Emmitt shares how a young man from Florida who had dreams of playing for the star turned his vision into a reality breaking the mold and going far beyond what he imagined. Opening up to Fred, Ryan and Channing- the football legend talks about how his purpose went far beyond the game and becoming an admirable man solidified his legacy.
Meeting Walter Payton for the first time helped Emmitt shape his mission and knowing that breaking the running back’s record was on his radar, he worked everyday as that was his mission. Sharing memories and stories of playing for the Cowboys during the glory days of the 90s, Emmitt talks about what it was really like playing for America’s team.
Away from the field and away from the bright lights and star, Emmitt shares how being a father and how finding life again after separating from his wife of almost two decades changed him and redefined his purpose.
2½ hours
Jan 24, 1982
Super Bowl XVI showcased a pivotal matchup between the San Francisco 49ers, led by Joe...
Super Bowl XVI • San Francisco 49ers vs Cincinnati Bengals Radio Broadcast / Super Bowl XVI showcased a pivotal matchup between the San Francisco 49ers, led by Joe Montana under coach Bill Walsh, and the Cincinnati Bengals, steered by Ken Anderson with coach Forrest Gregg. As the season unfolded, both teams had demonstrated formidable prowess, with the 49ers refining their innovative offensive strategies and the Bengals showcasing resilience and tactical acumen. The anticipation for this clash was heightened by both teams' remarkable journeys to the championship, marking a defining moment in the 1981 NFL season.
The game itself was a display of strategic depth and individual brilliance. Montana's leadership and tactical intelligence were on full display, culminating in a rushing touchdown and a pivotal pass for another. Anderson, despite facing a stalwart 49ers defense, managed significant yardage and connected for two touchdowns, highlighting his resilience and skill. The 49ers' defensive squad, instrumental in curbing the Bengals' momentum, forced crucial turnovers, underscoring their role in the team's strategic victories.
The 49ers' triumph, concluding a 26-21 victory, not only secured their first Super Bowl title but also underscored the emergence of a dynasty under Walsh's guidance. Reflecting on the season, this game was a testament to the 49ers' strategic innovation and team cohesion. The Bengals, despite the loss, showcased their competitive spirit, marking the beginning of a rivalry that would be remembered for years to come. This season, culminating in the 49ers' victory, set the stage for future NFL narratives, including playoff races, awards, and the evolving strategies of American football.
1 minute
Nov 20, 1978Nov 20, 1978
Houston Oilers RB Earl Campbell rushes for 199 yards and four touchdowns, out-dueling Miami Dolphins...
NFL 100: Earl Campbell's Record Setting Monday Night / Houston Oilers RB Earl Campbell rushes for 199 yards and four touchdowns, out-dueling Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese in a 35-30 victory at the Astrodome. Miami took a 23-21 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Campbell scored twice in the final seven minutes, including an 81-yard TD sprint with 1:11 to go to ice the game.
2 minutes
1974
Tom Landry and Pat Toomay talk about the WFL and the possibility of players defecting,...
Tom Landry on the WFL / Tom Landry and Pat Toomay talk about the WFL and the possibility of players defecting, notably Craig Morton. WFAA. April 1974.
1 minute
1973
Mike Ditka interviewed outside his Dallas home about retiring from football and possibly beginning his...
WFAA Interview with the Dallas Cowboys' Mike Ditka / Mike Ditka interviewed outside his Dallas home about retiring from football and possibly beginning his coaching career. March 1973.
This was a rematch of the first NFC Championship Game played the previous season in...
Sideline Footage From Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers (NFC Championship) / This was a rematch of the first NFC Championship Game played the previous season in San Francisco. At the time, the NFL rotated hosting rights to playoff games between division champions. Under this format, the NFC East champion Cowboys had the right to host the 1971 title game. It was the fourth title game played by the Cowboys, and the 49ers' second title game appearance as an NFL team after the preceding season's game.
2½ hours
Oct 24, 1971Oct 24, 1971
On October 24, 1971, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions met at Tiger Stadium in...
1971 - Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions - NFL Radio Broadcast / On October 24, 1971, the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions met at Tiger Stadium in a closely contested NFC Central game. Both teams entered with 3-2 records, with the Bears led by quarterback Bobby Douglass and coach Jim Dooley, while the Lions, coached by Joe Schmidt, were guided by quarterback Greg Landry. Detroit, featuring standout players like wide receiver Chuck Hughes and running back Steve Owens, sought a crucial win to gain an edge in the divisional standings. This game, however, would tragically be marked by an unexpected event, casting a somber tone on a competitive season.
The game unfolded with back-and-forth scoring, as Chicago found the end zone first with a 21-yard run by Don Shy and a 54-yard touchdown pass from Douglass to George Farmer in the second quarter. Detroit answered with a 102-yard kickoff return by Ron Jessie and a touchdown reception by Larry Walton, pushing them to a slim lead by halftime. In the final minutes of the game, Chuck Hughes collapsed on the field after running a route. Despite efforts to revive him, Hughes was later pronounced dead due to a heart attack, marking the first time in NFL history a player died during a game.
Chicago won 28-23, improving to 4-2, though the result was overshadowed by Hughes’s passing. Detroit, who fell to 3-3, finished the game in shock and mourning. The incident deeply impacted the Lions, Hughes's family, and the entire NFL community. This game remains a somber chapter in NFL history, remembered not only for the fierce rivalry but for the tragic loss that unfolded on the field.
#ChicagoBears #DetroitLions #ChuckHughes #BobbyDouglass #GregLandry #NFL1971 #TigerStadium
2 minutes
September 1971
In 1971, Morton began the season as the starter, but after a loss to the...
Roger Staubach Discusses a Late Hit He Received In Philadelphia And Craig Morton / In 1971, Morton began the season as the starter, but after a loss to the New Orleans Saints, Staubach assumed the role. However, in a game against the Chicago Bears during the seventh week of that season, coach Tom Landry alternated Staubach and Morton on each play, sending in the quarterbacks with the play call from the sideline. Dallas gained almost 500 yards of offense but committed seven turnovers that resulted in a 23–19 loss to a mediocre Bears squad that dropped the Cowboys to 4–3 for the season, two games behind the Washington Redskins in the NFC East race.
13 minutes
Dec 18, 1970
Governor Lester Maddox and Ex-Football player Jim Brown get into a heated debate on race...
Jim Brown and Lester Maddox Debate Segregation / Governor Lester Maddox and Ex-Football player Jim Brown get into a heated debate on race and segregation in the United States.
The Dick Cavett Show was nominated for eleven Emmy awards and won three.
On November 3, 1968, the Chicago Bears visited the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field...
1968 NFL Week 8 • Chicago Bears vs Green Bay Packers - Radio Broadcast / On November 3, 1968, the Chicago Bears visited the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in a classic NFL rivalry clash. Coached by Jim Dooley, the Bears were aiming to even their season record, facing the Packers led by coach Phil Bengtson, who were struggling slightly below .500. This game was not just a regular matchup; it was steeped in the intense rivalry and history between these two storied franchises. At this point in the season, both teams were dealing with varying challenges but still held onto playoff aspirations, setting the stage for a tightly contested game. The Packers' quarterback Bart Starr and the Bears' Virgil Carter were pivotal figures, with their performances underpinning their teams' strategies and hopes for the season.
During the game, the Bears and Packers showed strong defenses and strategic play that kept scoring low and tensions high. The Bears' kicker Mac Percival was crucial, scoring two field goals, including a critical 43-yarder. Virgil Carter, despite modest passing statistics, added a touchdown on the ground that proved decisive. On the Packers' side, Bart Starr connected with Carroll Dale for a 50-yard touchdown pass, showcasing the aerial threat they posed. The game's flow was marked by strategic punting and field position battles, with both teams exchanging the lead in the final quarter, reflecting the close competition typical of their historic rivalry.
The Bears emerged victorious with a narrow 13-10 win, which shifted their season record to an even 4-4, while the Packers moved to 3-5-1. The 1968 season, remembered for its pivotal moments and the intense playoff races in the NFL, saw both teams fighting hard but ultimately not making a significant impact in the postseason.
25 minutes
Nov 17, 1963
Guest Y. A. Tittle; Charles Boyer and panelists Arlene Francis, Tony Randall, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett...
What's My Line? - Y. A. Tittle / Guest Y. A. Tittle; Charles Boyer and panelists Arlene Francis, Tony Randall, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf
25 minutes
Dec 30, 1962
With panelists Arlene Francis, Martin Gabel, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf...
What's My Line? with Mystery Guest Ray Nitschke / With panelists Arlene Francis, Martin Gabel, Dorothy Kilgallen, Bennett Cerf
3 hours
Dec 29, 1957
The Detroit Lions destroyed the Cleveland Brown, 59-14 in the 1957 NFL Championship. Detroit had won the regular-season game 20–7
Broadcast of 1957 NFL Championship Game / The Detroit Lions destroyed the Cleveland Brown, 59-14 in the 1957 NFL Championship. Detroit had won the regular-season game 20–7 three weeks earlier on December 8, also at Briggs Stadium, but lost quarterback Bobby Layne for the season with a broken right ankle late in the first half.
28 minutes
Dec 30, 1956Dec 30, 1956
New York Football Giants blow out the Chicago Bears at Yankee Stadium...
The Big One 1956 NFL Championship game / New York Football Giants blow out the Chicago Bears at Yankee Stadium
13 minutes
Feb 1, 1983
The former Baltimore Colts star talks about what really went on in the huddle and...
Art Donovan On His Dirty Style Of Football / The former Baltimore Colts star talks about what really went on in the huddle and on the field.
I sincerely appreciate the research work, and the information being shared. It is important and interesting history.