Central and Western) in each conference. The winners of each division, and a fourth “wild card” team based on the best non-division winner, qualified for the playoffs. The tiebreaker rules were changed to start with head-to-head competition, followed by division records, records against common opponents, and records in conference play. National Football Conference For the last time until 1997, the last two unbeaten teams in the league met in Week 7, with the Vikings tipping the Rams 10–9. American Football Conference Final standings Tiebreakers N.Y. Jets finished ahead of Baltimore in the AFC East based on head-to-head sweep (2–0). Cincinnati finished ahead of Pittsburgh in the AFC Central based on better conference record (8–3 to Steelers' 7–4). Kansas City finished ahead of Denver in the AFC West based on better division record (4–2 to Broncos' 3–2–1). Dallas finished ahead of Washington in the NFC East based on better point differential in head-to-head games (13 points). San Francisco finished ahead of New Orleans in the NFC West based on better division record (2–4 to Saints' 1–5). Playoffs Awards Coaching changes Offseason Baltimore Colts: Howard Schnellenberger was hired as head coach. Don McCafferty was fired after going 1-4 to start the 1972 season. John Sandusky replaced McCafferty, getting the Colts to finish 1972 with a 5–9 record. Detroit Lions: Joe Schmidt resigned. Don McCafferty was named as Schmidt's replacement. Los Angeles Rams: Tommy Prothro was fired and replaced by Chuck Knox. New England Patriots: Chuck Fairbanks joined the team as both head coach and general manager. John Mazur resigned after going 2-7 to start the 1972 season, and Phil Bengtson then served as interim. New Orleans Saints: J. D. Roberts was fired midway through the 1973 preseason. John North served as head coach for the rest of the preseason and the 1973 regular season onward. Philadelphia Eagles: Ed Khayat was replaced by Mike McCormack. St. Louis Cardinals: Bob Hollway was fired and replaced by Don Coryell. In-season Houston Oilers: Bill Peterson was fired after the Oilers lost their first five games. Sid Gillman finished out the rest of the season. San Diego Chargers: Harland Svare left the team after going 1–6–1. Ron Waller served for the last six games. Stadium changes The Buffalo Bills moved from their original home at War Memorial Stadium and played their first season at Rich Stadium. From October 7, the New York Giants moved from Yankee Stadium