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| 1970 NFL season | |
|---|---|
| Title | 1970 NFL season |
| League | National Football League |
| Sport | American football |
| Duration | September–December 1970 |
| Playoffs | January 1971 |
| Nfl champion | Baltimore Colts |
| Sb name | Super Bowl V |
| Sb date | January 17, 1971 |
| Sb site | Orange Bowl, Miami |
| Sb champion | Baltimore Colts |
| Pb date | January 31, 1971 |
| Pb site | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
1970 NFL season The 1970 NFL season marked the first campaign after the completed merger between the American Football League and the National Football League, featuring a new sixteen‑team AFC and sixteen‑team NFC alignment that reshaped competition among franchises like the Baltimore Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and San Francisco 49ers; the season culminated in Super Bowl V at the Orange Bowl where the Baltimore Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys. The season had significant implications for personnel such as John Unitas, Johnny Unitas proteges, coaching figures like Don Shula, Tom Landry, Don McCafferty, executives including Pete Rozelle, and broadcasters associated with NBC Sports, CBS Sports, and ABC Sports.
The realignment created new conferences and divisions featuring historic clubs such as the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams alongside former AFL teams like the New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills; this produced marquee matchups between quarterbacks Joe Namath, Johnny Unitas, Roger Staubach, Fran Tarkenton, and Terry Bradshaw. League leadership under Pete Rozelle and competition overseen by the National Football League Players Association influenced labor relations with players represented by figures like Jim Brown, Carl Eller, and Deacon Jones. Stadiums such as MetLife Stadium predecessors, the Polo Grounds successors, the Tampa Stadium precursors, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum hosted week‑to‑week contests that drew attention from media outlets including Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, and wire services like the Associated Press.
Ownership and television arrangements negotiated by Pete Rozelle and club owners including Art Modell, Al Davis, Lamar Hunt, and Tex Schramm produced revised media contracts with CBS Sports and NBC Sports; the league adopted rule modifications affecting kickoff formations, substitution procedures, and official mechanics implemented by the NFL Competition Committee chaired by prominent executives like George Halas aides and advisors from the Chicago Bears organization. Game rules adjusted enforcement of pass interference, eligible receiver reporting influenced by coaches such as Don Shula and Tom Landry, and adjustments to the instant replay debate later championed by figures like Byron “Whizzer” White in legal circles; officiating crews included referees like Jim Tunney whose interpretations impacted outcomes in pivotal games. Financial policies concerning revenue sharing, franchise relocation discussions involving Baltimore Colts owner Robert Irsay legacy issues, and pension negotiations with the National Football League Players Association shaped the business environment.
The AFC and NFC each fielded four divisions—East, Central, West, and coastal alignments—sending division winners such as the Baltimore Colts (AFC East), the Oakland Raiders (AFC West), the Cleveland Browns (AFC Central), and the Kansas City Chiefs into the postseason where clubs like the Miami Dolphins and Houston Oilers competed for wild card considerations. In the NFC, contenders included the Dallas Cowboys (NFC East), Minnesota Vikings (NFC Central), Los Angeles Rams (NFC West), and San Francisco 49ers among teams vying for playoff berths; final standings were determined by tiebreakers involving head‑to‑head records, division records, and points differential overseen by league statisticians and officials.
Individual performances featured leaders such as John Brodie, John Hadl, Len Dawson, Roman Gabriel, and emerging stars like Terry Bradshaw; rushing leaders included backs like O. J. Simpson in subsequent seasons though 1970 saw high output from runners such as Larry Csonka and Edgerrin James precursors in style by Mercury Morris; receiving corps included talents like Lance Alworth and Otis Taylor. Defensive standouts included pass rushers Deacon Jones, Gale Sayers in earlier eras, and linebackers Jack Lambert prototypes influenced by veterans like Ray Nitschke; specialists such as kickers Garo Yepremian and punters like Sammy Baugh descendants in technique affected field position. Statistical categories for passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, interceptions, sacks, and scoring were led by prominent names compiled by the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers of America.
The postseason bracket featured conference championship games culminating in the Super Bowl V matchup between the Baltimore Colts and the Dallas Cowboys held at the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida with national broadcast partners NBC Sports and CBS Sports sharing rights in differing windows; the Colts, coached by Don McCafferty and led by MVPs including Johnny Unitas legacies and defenders, prevailed over Tom Landry's Cowboys in a game notable for turnovers and clutch plays by players such as Ray Nitschke and John Mackey prototypes. Super Bowl V produced a Most Valuable Player award presented to Chuck Howley in a later unique precedent—or in fact the MVP of Super Bowl V was Chuck Howley's earlier accolade remained historically notable—while the game influenced coaching strategies employed by Don Shula, Bud Grant, and others in subsequent seasons.
Season awards distributed by organizations like the Associated Press, the Pro Football Writers Association, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame included Most Valuable Player, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year honors presented to figures evaluated alongside luminaries such as Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Len Dawson, Don Meredith, Paul Brown era influences, and coaching awardees including Don McCafferty and Tom Landry. All‑Pro selections featured players named by the Associated Press and the Pro Football Writers Association, leading to eventual Hall of Fame inductions for several participants enshrined at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
The merged league dealt with disputes involving owners like Al Davis and Lamar Hunt, competition between franchises such as the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, and controversies over officiating in high‑profile games involving referees including Jim Tunney and line calls that prompted debate in outlets like Sports Illustrated and the New York Times. Player safety, contract disputes mediated by the National Football League Players Association, and labor tensions foreshadowed later collective bargaining negotiations involving attorneys and union leaders; relocation chatter involving the Baltimore Colts and stadium capacity debates around venues such as the Orange Bowl and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum provoked fan activism and municipal discussions with city officials and franchise executives.
Category:National Football League seasons