At midpoint in the 1972 season the Oakland Raiders were 4-2-1 one half game better than the 4-3 Kansas City Chiefs. In Week 8, Raiders lost at Kansas City. Oakland did nothing in the first half leaving the field trailing 17 to 0. Daryl Lamonica completed nine of 15 passes for 74 yards for and four two interceptions. I thought John Madden would send George Blanda in relief as he had done from 1967 to 1971.
Instead in came Kenny Stabler clearly showing a changing of the guard. All three quarterbacks had played in the opening game but today was different. The Snake completed 14 of 23 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown but the Raiders lost 27 to 14. After the first touchdown, Blanda came in for the extra point. Curt Gowdy stated on NBC that this marked the 176th consecutive game for Blanda. It felt like he was trying to console George Blanda's fans across the country now that their man was no longer the number two quarterback.
The last week of the season saw the Chicago Bears coming to Oakland. Playing the first half Daryl Lamonica was seven for 14 for covering only 54 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. The score was tied at 7. For the second time, Ken Stabler came of the bench. Stabler completed 10 of 11 passes for 124 yards and one touchdown. The Raiders won 28 to 21. Three touchdowns in the second half versus only one in the first.