1973 San Francisco 49ers season

The 1973 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 24th season in the National Football League and their 28th overall. They began the season hoping to improve on their previous years' output of 8–5–1, and looking to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. However, the team finished 5–9 [1] and failed to qualify for the playoffs. After the season, quarterback John Brodie retired after 16 years with the 49ers.

1973 San Francisco 49ers season
Owner	Josephine Morabito Jane Morabito
Head coach	Dick Nolan
Home field	Candlestick Park
Results
Record	5–9
Division place	3rd NFC West
Playoff finish	Did not qualify

Offseason

NFL Draft

1973 San Francisco 49ers Draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College	Note
1	18	Mike Holmes	WR	Texas Southern
2	41	Willie Harper	LB	Nebraska
7	174	John Mitchell	DE	Alabama
8	201	Dave Atkins	RB	UTEP
10	253	Charlie Hunt	LB	Florida State
14	357	Dennis Morrison	QB	Kansas State

Roster

1973 San Francisco 49ers roster

	Quarterbacks 12 John Brodie 19 Joe Reed 11 Steve Spurrier Running backs 29 Dave Atkins 42 Doug Cunningham 35 Larry Schreiber 24 Jimmy Thomas 22 Vic Washington 40 Ken Willard FB Wide receivers 46 Danny Abramowicz 81 Ed Beverly 17 John Isenbarger RB 18 Gene Washington 88 Dick Witcher Tight ends 82 Ted Kwalick 84 Dave Olerich		Offensive linemen 79 Cas Banaszek T 77 Jean Barrett T 65 Randy Beisler G 75 Forrest Blue C 69 Woody Peoples G 76 Len Rohde T Defensive linemen 72 Bill Belk DE 86 Cedrick Hardman DE 53 Tommy Hart DE 56 Bob Hoskins DT 70 Charlie Krueger DT 78 Rolf Krueger DT		Linebackers 59 Willie Harper 57 Frank Nunley 58 Jim Sniadecki 52 Skip Vanderbundt 64 Dave Wilcox Defensive backs 37 Jimmy Johnson CB 49 Ralph McGill FS 32 Mel Phillips SS 38 Mike Simpson 44 Bruce Taylor CB Special teams 30 Bruce Gossett K 13 Tom Wittum P		Reserve lists Practice squad Rookies in italics

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Attendance
1	September 16, 1973	at Miami Dolphins	L 21–13	68,275
2	September 23, 1973	at Denver Broncos	W 36–34	50,966
3	September 30, 1973	Los Angeles Rams	L 40–20	57,487
4	October 7, 1973	at Atlanta Falcons	W 13–9	51,107
5	October 14, 1973	Minnesota Vikings	L 17–13	56,438
6	October 21, 1973	New Orleans Saints	W 40–0	52,881
7	October 28, 1973	Atlanta Falcons	L 17–3	56,825
8	November 4, 1973	at Detroit Lions	L 30–20	49,531
9	November 11, 1973	at Washington Redskins	L 33–9	54,381
10	November 18, 1973	at Los Angeles Rams	L 31–13	78,358
11	November 26, 1973	Green Bay Packers	W 20–6	49,244
12	December 2, 1973	Philadelphia Eagles	W 38–28	51,155
13	December 9, 1973	at New Orleans Saints	L 16–10	62,490
14	December 15, 1973	Pittsburgh Steelers	L 37–14	52,252

Game summaries

Week 2

1 2 3 4 Total • 49ers 0 20 10 6 36 Broncos 10 3 7 14 34 Date: September 23 Location: Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado Game start: 2:00 p.m. Game weather: 66°F, wind 16 mph

Scoring summary 1 DEN Jerry Simmons 18 yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick) Broncos 7–0 1 DEN Jim Turner 34 yard field goal Broncos 10–0 2 DEN Jim Turner 28 yard field goal Broncos 13–0 2 SF Bruce Gossett 22 yard field goal Broncos 13–3 2 SF Jimmy Thomas 5 yard run (Bruce Gossett kick) Broncos 13–10 2 SF John Brodie 1 yard run (Bruce Gossett kick) 49ers 17–13 2 SF Bruce Gossett 39 yard field goal 49ers 20–13 3 SF Bruce Gossett 14 yard field goal 49ers 23–13 3 SF Vic Washington 1 yard run (Bruce Gossett kick) 49ers 30–13 3 DEN Floyd Little 1 yard run (Jim Turner kick) 49ers 30–20 4 SF Bruce Gossett 46 yard field goal 49ers 33–20 4 DEN Gene Washington 19 yard pass from Charley Johnson (Jim Turner kick) 49ers 33–27 4 DEN Floyd Little 1 yard run (Jim Turner kick) Broncos 34–33 4 SF Bruce Gossett 39 yard field goal 49ers 36–34

[2]

Standings

NFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Los Angeles Rams	12	2	0	.857	5–1	9–2	388	178	W6
Atlanta Falcons	9	5	0	.643	4–2	7–4	318	224	W1
San Francisco 49ers	5	9	0	.357	2–4	4–7	262	319	L2
New Orleans Saints	5	9	0	.357	1–5	4–7	163	312	L1

References

1. 1973 San Francisco 49ers
2. Pro-Football-Reference.com