1976 Regular Season Recap

In the AFC East, the Patriots took the title with ease finishing the season as the only team in the division above .500. The Colts were a big disappointment after winning the division in 1975, they fell to 8-8 and failed to make the playoffs. Buffalo and Miami also disappointed both falling below .500 after solid performances in 1975. New York, however, showed great improvement with a 7-9 record up from 3-11 in 1975.

The AFC Central was dominated by the Steelers with the Browns shocking everyone jumping from a 3-11 record to a 9-7 record and grabbing a wild card spot in the playoffs. Meanwhile the Bengals and the Oilers both faltered after strong 1975 seasons both falling below .500.

It was no surprise to see Oakland atop the AFC West, but it was a surprise to see such a strong performance out of the Kansas City Chiefs who almost took the division and grabbed a wild card spot in the playoffs. The Broncos also improved from 1975 to grab the final wild card slot putting three teams from the West into the playoffs. Even more surprising was the fact that the expansion Seattle Seahawks went 7-9 in their first season. The Chargers improved from 2-12 in 1975 to 7-9 in 1976, so the West was definitely the power of the AFC.

In the NFC West it was a runaway for the Rams with no other teams in the division coming even close to a .500 record.

In the Central it was a real battle between Minnesota and Detroit. Both teams would end the season with 13-3 records, but the Vikings took the division title through tie breaker. The Bears and the Packers were both mediocre at best, and the Buccaneers, didn't quite get off to the same start as the Seahawks struggling to a 2-12 record.

In the NFC East it was the Redskins jumping to the front ahead of the Cardinals. The Dallas Cowboys would come in with a good enough record to grab the final playoff spot, but there was no excitement for the Giants or Eagles fans.

AFC East New England 11-5 Baltimore 8-8 New York 7-9 Miami 6-10 Buffalo 5-11 AFC Central Pittsburgh 11-5 Cleveland 9-7 Cincinnati 6-10 Houston 6-10 AFC West Oakland 12-3-1 Kansas City 11-5 Denver 8-7-1 Seattle 7-9 San Diego 7-9

NFC East Washington 12-4 St. Louis 10-6 Dallas 8-8 New York 6-10 Philadelphia 5-11 NFC Central Minnesota 13-3 Detroit 13-3 Chicago 6-10 Green Bay 4-12 Tampa Bay 2-14 NFC West Los Angeles 13-3 San Francisco 6-10 Atlanta 6-10 New Orleans 5-11

Statistics

Top QBs
Det Greg Landry 185/295 2,573yds 18TDs 5Ints 103.9
Was Billy Kilmer 237/404 3,543yds 27TDs 6Ints 103.5
Pit Terry Bradshaw 233/413 3,617yds 28TDs 8Ints 100.0

Top RBs
Oak Clarence Davis 268car/1,662yds 6.2 avg 13TDs
SF Delvin Williams 344car/1,614yds 4.6avg 11TDs
Buf OJ Simpson 251car/1,551yds 6.1avg 7TDs

Top Recs
SD Charlie Joiner 81rec/1,539yds 9TDs
Cle Reggie Rucker 60rec/1,205yds 10TDs
Was Charley Taylor 71rec/1,190yds 11TDs

Sack Leaders
Was Ron McDole 17
LA Merlin Olsen 16
Oak John Matuszak 16
Hou Elvin Bethea 16

Interception Leaders
Buf Doug Jones 7
GB Willie Buchanan 6
Den John Rowser 5
Dal Cliff Harris 5