NFL game summary for 12/17/1972:
Len Dawson tossed a seven-yard touchdown pass to running back Ed Podolak with 2:19 remaining to enable the Chiefs to finish with an 8-6 record. The Falcons closed out with a 7-7 record.
Team stats coming into this game (NFL ranks in parentheses):
| Team | Rush Yds/Gm | Pass Yds/Gm | Tot Yds/Gm | Turnovers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | OFFENSE | 133.3 (17) | 156.2 (13) | 289.5 (16) | 31 |
| DEFENSE | 132.3 (13) | 158.2 (16) | 290.5 (14) | 40 | |
 | OFFENSE | 154.4 (7) | 134.8 (20) | 289.2 (17) | 31 |
| DEFENSE | 144.7 (18) | 130.5 (4) | 275.2 (9) | 32 |
Line: Even
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs (8-6-0) | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| Atlanta Falcons (7-7-0) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
( 3- 0) KC Jan Stenerud 28 yard field goal ( 3- 7) ATL Art Malone 1 yard rush (Bill Bell kick) (10- 7) KC Otis Taylor 15 yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick) (10-14) ATL Ken Burrow 17 yard pass from Bob Berry (Bill Bell kick) (17-14) KC Ed Podolak 7 yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick)
KC ATL
First Downs: 19 16
Rushes-yards: 43-182 31-85
Yards/rush: 4.2 2.7
Comp-Att-Yd-INT: 18-26-139-1 11-25-177-2
Sacked-yards: 3-31 2-11
Net pass yards: 108 166
Net yards/pass: 3.7 6.1
Total net yards: 290 251
Total plays: 72 (59% run) 58 (53% run)
Yards/play: 4.0 4.3
Fumbles-lost: 0-0 3-1
Turnovers: 1 3
Penalties-yards: 2-20 3-25
Attendance: 58,860
Passing:
KC: Len Dawson, 18 of 26 for 139 yards and 2 TDs (1 int) ATL: Bob Berry, 11 of 25 for 177 yards and 1 TD (2 int)
Rushing:
KC: Wendell Hayes, 17 for 69 yards; Ed Podolak, 17 for 67 yards; Mike Adamle, 4 for 21 yards; Jim Otis, 2 for 2 yards; Len Dawson, 1 for 20 yards; Otis Taylor, 1 for 11 yards; Robert West, 1 for -8 yards ATL: Dave Hampton, 19 for 65 yards; Art Malone, 10 for 20 yards and 1 TD; Bob Berry, 2 for 0 yards
Receiving:
KC: Otis Taylor, 8 for 69 yards and 1 TD; Ed Podolak, 5 for 18 yards and 1 TD; Wendell Hayes, 4 for 36 yards; Robert West, 1 for 16 yards ATL: Art Malone, 3 for 26 yards; Jim Mitchell, 2 for 57 yards; Ken Burrow, 2 for 35 yards and 1 TD; Dave Hampton, 2 for 30 yards; Wes Chesson, 2 for 29 yards
Kick returns:
KC: Mike Adamle, 2 for 36 yards; Kerry Reardon, 1 for 17 yards ATL: Dave Hampton, 2 for 48 yards; Willie Belton, 1 for 25 yards
Punt returns:
KC: Ed Podolak, 1 for -2 yards ATL: Clarence Ellis, 1 for 13 yards; Willie Belton, 1 for 1 yard; John Small, 1 for 0 yards
Interceptions:
KC: Jim Marsalis, 1 for 1 yard; Mike Sensibaugh, 1 for 0 yards ATL: Ken Reaves, 1 for 23 yards
Punting:
KC: Jerrel Wilson, 4 for 156 yards ATL: John James, 3 for 118 yards
Field Goals:
KC: Jan Stenerud, 1/3 ATL: Bill Bell, 0/1
KC: Len Dawson, 18 of 26 for 139 yards and 2 TDs (1 int) ATL: Bob Berry, 11 of 25 for 177 yards and 1 TD (2 int)
Rushing:
KC: Wendell Hayes, 17 for 69 yards; Ed Podolak, 17 for 67 yards; Mike Adamle, 4 for 21 yards; Jim Otis, 2 for 2 yards; Len Dawson, 1 for 20 yards; Otis Taylor, 1 for 11 yards; Robert West, 1 for -8 yards ATL: Dave Hampton, 19 for 65 yards; Art Malone, 10 for 20 yards and 1 TD; Bob Berry, 2 for 0 yards
Receiving:
KC: Otis Taylor, 8 for 69 yards and 1 TD; Ed Podolak, 5 for 18 yards and 1 TD; Wendell Hayes, 4 for 36 yards; Robert West, 1 for 16 yards ATL: Art Malone, 3 for 26 yards; Jim Mitchell, 2 for 57 yards; Ken Burrow, 2 for 35 yards and 1 TD; Dave Hampton, 2 for 30 yards; Wes Chesson, 2 for 29 yards
Kick returns:
KC: Mike Adamle, 2 for 36 yards; Kerry Reardon, 1 for 17 yards ATL: Dave Hampton, 2 for 48 yards; Willie Belton, 1 for 25 yards
Punt returns:
KC: Ed Podolak, 1 for -2 yards ATL: Clarence Ellis, 1 for 13 yards; Willie Belton, 1 for 1 yard; John Small, 1 for 0 yards
Interceptions:
KC: Jim Marsalis, 1 for 1 yard; Mike Sensibaugh, 1 for 0 yards ATL: Ken Reaves, 1 for 23 yards
Punting:
KC: Jerrel Wilson, 4 for 156 yards ATL: John James, 3 for 118 yards
Field Goals:
KC: Jan Stenerud, 1/3 ATL: Bill Bell, 0/1