The 49ers run at the top of the NFC West ended in 1973 with the 49ers falling to a 5–9 record, their worst since 1969. The team lost six of its last eight games, including games to the also-ran New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions. In the final season of his career, longtime 49ers quarterback John Brodie split playing time with two other quarterbacks, most notably longtime backup Steve Spurrier. The team also suffered from not having a dominant running back, with Vic Washington leading the team with only 534 yards rushing.
The 49ers run at the top of the NFC West ended in 1973 with the 49ers falling to a 5–9 record their worst since 1969 The team lost six of its last eight games including games to the also-ran New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions In the final season of his career longtime 49ers quarterback John Brodie split playing time with two other quarterbacks most notably longtime backup Steve Spurrier The team also suffered from not having a dominant running back with Vic Washington leading the team with only 534 yards rushing