Super Bowl IV Super Bowl IV was the fourth AFL - NFL World Championship Game in professional American football , and the second one ( after Super Bowl III ) to officially bear the name " Super Bowl " . This was the final AFL - NFL World Championship Game before the National Football League ( NFL ) and the American Football League ( AFL ) merged into one league after the season . The game was played on a wet Sunday January 11 , 1970 , at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans , Louisiana . This was the first Super Bowl played without the standard week off after the conference championship games ( league championship games at the time ) . Strangely enough , the AFL had a week off between its divisional playoffs ( the NFL played its conference championship games during the AFL ' s off - week ) and league championship game . The AFL started its 1969 season a week earlier than the NFL , and thus had an extra week to prepare for the Super Bowl . This would be the last Super Bowl played without the week off until Super Bowl XVII . The underdog AFL champion Kansas City Chiefs ( 11 - 3 ) defeated the NFL champion Minnesota Vikings ( 12 - 2 ) , 23 – 7 . Even though the Vikings were 12 . 5 to 13 - point favorites , the Chiefs defense dominated the game by limiting the Minnesota offense to only 67 rushing yards , forcing three interceptions , and recovering two fumbles . This victory by the AFL squared the Super Bowl series with the NFL at two games apiece . Kansas City ' s Len Dawson became the fourth consecutive winning quarterback to be named Super Bowl MVP . He completed 12 of 17 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown , with one interception . Dawson also recorded three rushing attempts for 11 yards . Background . Minnesota Vikings . The Minnesota Vikings , led by head coach Bud Grant , entered the game with an NFL best 12 - 2 regular season record , leading the older league in total points scored ( 379 ) and fewest points allowed ( 133 ) . They had scored 50 or greater points in three different games . They lost their first and last games of the season , but in between had 12 straight victories , the longest single - season winning streak in 35 years . Their defense , considered the most intimidating in the NFL , was anchored by a defensive line nicknamed the " Purple People Eaters " , consisting of defensive tackles Gary Larsen and Alan Page , and defensive ends Carl Eller and Jim Marshall . The secondary was led by defensive backs Bobby Bryant ( 8 interceptions , 97 return yards ) , Earsell Mackbee ( 6 interceptions , 100 return yards ) , and Paul Krause ( 5 interceptions , 82 return yards , 1 touchdown ) . On offense , quarterback Joe Kapp was known for his superb leadership and his running ability , both throwing on the run and running for extra yards . And when Kapp did take off and run , instead of sliding when he was about to be tackled like most quarterbacks , he lowered his shoulder and went right at the tackler . This style of play earned him the nickname " Indestructible " . In the NFL Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns , he collided with linebacker Jim Houston while running for a first down , and Houston had to be helped off the field after the play ended . Also , Kapp was known for being an extremely unselfish leader : when he was voted the Vikings Most Valuable Player , he turned the award down and said that every player on the team was equally valuable . Running back Dave Osborn was the team ' s top rusher with 643 yards and seven touchdowns . He also caught 22 passes for 236 yards and another touchdown . In the passing game , Pro Bowl wide receiver Gene Washington averaged 21 . 1 yards per catch by recording 821 yards and nine touchdowns from 39 receptions . Wide receiver John Henderson caught 34 passes for 553 yards and 5 touchdowns . The Vikings ' offensive line was anchored by Pro Bowlers Grady Alderman and Mick Tingelhoff . Kansas City Chiefs . Meanwhile , it seemed that the Chiefs , led by head coach Hank Stram , and especially quarterback Len Dawson , were jinx ed throughout the year . In the second game of the regular season , Dawson suffered a knee injury that kept him from playing the next six games . However , back - up quarterback Mike Livingston of Southern Methodist University fame engineered five wins of the next six starts , with Dawson coming off the bench in the second half of the sixth to clinch the win . The Chiefs managed to finish in second place behind the Oakland Raiders in the AFL ' s Western Division , but only after suffering a tough 10 - 6 loss to Oakland in the final game of the regular season . After that game , many sports writers and fans heavily criticized the team and Dawson for the poor play calling ( Dawson called between 80 and 90 percent of the plays during the season ) . The Chiefs still managed to clinch a playoff spot . Wanting to set itself up more like the NFL right before the merger , the AFL expanded the playoffs for the 1969 season , by having the second place teams from each division face the first place teams from the other division ( Western Champion vs . Eastern Runner - Up , and vice versa ) . As a result of the new playoff format , many critics thought the Chiefs entered the playoffs through a " back - door " as the runner up in the Western division . But Dawson silenced the critics and led Kansas City to a strong finish in the playoffs , defeating the defending champion Jets in New York , 13 - 6 in the Divisional Playoffs , and defeating the Raiders 17 - 7 in the AFL Championship Game , thus essentially making the Chiefs the first wild card team to play in the Super Bowl . ( Dawson says he thinks both the Jets and the Raiders could have beaten the Vikings . ) Still , many people felt that Dawson ' s level of play in the AFL was not comparable to the NFL . Dawson himself had spent 5 seasons in the NFL as a backup before going to the AFL and becoming one of its top quarterbacks . " The AFL saved my career , " said Dawson . In his 8 AFL seasons , he had thrown more touchdown passes ( 182 ) than any other professional football quarterback during that time . But because many still viewed the AFL as being inferior to the NFL , his records were not considered significant . Dawson ' s first chance to prove himself against an NFL team ended in failure , with his Chiefs losing 35 - 10 in Super Bowl I , reinforcing the notion that his success was only due to playing in the " inferior league " . Offensively , the Chiefs employed innovative formations and strategies designed by Stram to disrupt the timing and positioning of the defense . Besides Dawson , the Chiefs main offensive weapon was running back Mike Garrett ( 1965 Heisman Trophy winner ) , who rushed for 732 yards and 6 touchdowns . He also recorded 43 receptions for 432 yards and another 2 touchdowns . Running back Robert Holmes had 612 rushing yards , 266 receiving yards , and 5 touchdowns . In the passing game , wide receiver Otis Taylor caught 41 passes for 696 yards and 7 touchdowns . The offensive line was anchored by AFL All - Stars Ed Budde and Jim Tyrer . According to Len Dawson , placekicker Jan Stenerud and punter Jerrel Wilson were the best kickers in football . The Chiefs defense led the AFL in fewest points allowed ( 177 ) . Like the Vikings , the Chiefs also had an outstanding defensive line , which was led by defensive tackles Buck Buchanan and Curley Culp , and defensive ends Jerry Mays and Aaron Brown . The Chiefs also had AFL All - Star linebacker Willie Lanier , who recorded 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery during the season . The Kansas City secondary was led by defensive backs Emmitt Thomas ( 9 interceptions for 146 return yards and a touchdown ) , and Johnny Robinson ( 8 interceptions for 158 return yards ) . Super Bowl pregame news and notes . Many sports writers and fans fully expected that the Vikings would easily defeat the Chiefs . Although the AFL ' s New York Jets won Super Bowl III at the end of the previous season , many were convinced that it was a fluke . They continued to believe that all of the NFL teams were far and away superior to all of the AFL teams . Super Bowl IV provided another chance to show that Dawson belonged at the same level with all of the great NFL quarterbacks . But five days before the Super Bowl , news leaked that his name had been linked to a Detroit federal gambling investigation . Although Dawson was eventually cleared of any charges , the controversy added to the pressure he was already under while preparing for the game , causing him to lose sleep and concentration . " It was , beyond a doubt , the toughest week of my life , " said Dawson . The night before the game , Ed Sabol of NFL Films met with Stram and convinced Stram to wear a hidden microphone during the game so his comments could be recorded for the NFL Films Super Bowl IV film . They agreed the microphone would be kept secret . This would be the first time that a head coach had worn a microphone during a Super Bowl . Television and entertainment . Super Bowl IV was broadcast in the United States by CBS with play - by - play announcer Jack Buck and color commentator s Pat Summerall and Frank Gifford . While the game was sold out at Tulane Stadium , unconditional blackout rules in both leagues prohibited the live telecast from being shown in the New Orleans area . Trumpet ers Al Hirt and Doc Severinsen " faced off " during the pregame show in a " Battle of the Horns " . A planned hot - air balloon race fizzled when the balloon marked NFL and carrying a " Viking " lifted off prematurely , failed to gain altitude , and crashed into the stands in the end zone . Hirt later performed the national anthem , while actress and singer Carol Channing was featured during the halftime show that paid tribute to Mardi Gras in New Orleans . Hank Stram Miked for Sound . The NFL Films Super Bowl IV film is one of the best - known and most popular of the NFL Films Super Bowl films due to the constant chatter and wisecracking of Hank Stram . Some excerpts include : Game summary . Chiefs head coach Hank Stram , who was also the team ' s offensive coordinator , devised an effective game plan against the Vikings . He knew the Vikings ' secondary was able to play very far off receivers because Viking defensive ends Carl Eller and Jim Marshall knocked down short passes or put pressure on the quarterback . Stram decided to double - team Marshall and Eller ; most of Dawson ' s completions would be short passes , and neither Marshall nor Eller knocked down any passes . Stram also concluded that the Vikings ' aggressiveness on defense also made them susceptible to trap plays ; Mike Garrett ' s rushing touchdown would come on a trap play . The Chiefs routinely played a 3 - 4 defense , common in the AFL but rare in the NFL . The Vikings ' inside running game depended on center Mick Tingelhoff blocking linebackers . Stram put 285 pound Buck Buchanan or 295 pound Curley Culp in front of Tingelhoff , who weighed only 235 pounds . To the Vikings credit , the NFL used the so - called light " greyhound " centers whle the AFL used big centers . It was a mismatch that disrupted the Vikings ' running game . Wrote Dawson , " It was obvious that their offense had never seen a defense like ours . " The Vikings would rush for only two first downs . The Vikings began the game by receiving the opening kickoff and marching from their own 20 - yard line to the Kansas City 39 - yard line , but were forced to punt . The Chiefs then drove 42 yards in eight plays to score on placekicker Jan Stenerud ' s Super Bowl record 48 - yard field goal . ( According to Dawson , the Vikings were shocked that the Chiefs would attempt a 48 - yard field goal . Stenerud was among the first soccer - style placekickers in professional football . The others included brothers Charlie and Pete Gogolak . The soccer - style placekickers used the instep of the foot while the conventional professional football placekicker kicked straight on with their toes . " Stenerud was a major factor , " he said . ) Minnesota then managed to reach midfield on their next drive , but were forced to punt again . On the first play of their ensuing drive , Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson threw a 20 - yard completion to wide receiver Frank Pitts , followed by a 9 - yard pass to wide receiver Otis Taylor . Four plays later , on the first play of the second quarter , a pass interference penalty on Vikings defensive back Ed Sharockman nullified Dawson ' s third down incompletion and gave Kansas City a first down at the Minnesota 31 - yard line . However on third down and 4 at the 25 - yard line , Vikings cornerback Earsell Mackbee broke up a deep pass intended for Taylor . Stenerud then kicked another field goal to increase the Chiefs lead to 6 - 0 . On the second play of their next drive , Vikings wide receiver John Henderson fumbled the ball after catching a 16 - yard reception , and Chiefs defensive back Johnny Robinson recovered the ball at the Minnesota 46 - yard line . But the Vikings made key defensive plays . First defensive tackle Alan Page tackled running back Mike Garrett for a 1 - yard loss , and then safety Paul Krause intercepted Dawson ' s pass at the 7 - yard line on the next play . However , the Vikings also could not take advantage of the turnover . Viking quarterback Joe Kapp ' s two incompletions and a delay of game penalty forced Minnesota to punt from their own 5 - yard line . The Chiefs then took over at the Viking 44 - yard line after punter Bob Lee ' s kick traveled only 39 yards . A 19 - yard run by Pitts on an end around play that fooled the overaggressive , overpursuing Viking defense to set up another field goal attempt by Stenerud to increase the Chiefs ' lead to 9 - 0 . On the ensuing kickoff , Vikings returner Charlie West fumbled the football , and Kansas City ' s Remi Prudhomme recovered it at Minnesota 19 - yard line . ( " That was a key , key play , " said Dawson . ) Defensive end Jim Marshall sacked Dawson for an 8 - yard loss by on the first play of the drive ; however , a 13 - yard run by running back Wendell Hayes and a 10 - yard reception by Taylor gave the Chiefs a first down at the Viking four yard line . Two plays later , running back Mike Garrett ' s five yard touchdown run on a trap play gave Kansas City a 16 - 0 lead . This play is forever known as the 65 toss power trap . West returned the ensuing kickoff 27 yards to the 32 - yard line . On the first play of the drive , Kapp completed a 27 - yard pass to Henderson to advance the ball to the Kansas City 41 - yard line . However , the next three plays , Kapp threw 2 incompletions and was sacked by Chief defensive tackle Buck Buchanan for an eight yard loss . On fourth down , kicker Fred Cox ' s 56 - yard field goal attempt fell way short of the goal posts . In the third quarter , the Vikings managed to build momentum . After forcing the Chiefs to punt on their opening possession of the second half , Kapp completed four consecutive passes for 47 yards and rushed for 7 as Minnesota drove 69 yards in 10 plays to score on fullback Dave Osborn ' s four yard rushing touchdown , reducing the lead to 16 - 7 . However , Kansas City responded on their next possession with a six play , 82 - yard drive to score on Dawson ' s 46 - yard catch and run touchdown completion to Taylor three minutes later . Taylor caught the ball at the Minnesota 41 - yard line , broke Earsell Mackbee ' s tackle , raced down the sideline , broke through Vikings ' safety Karl Kassulke ' s tackle and scored the clinching touchdown . The Vikings were demoralized after the game breaking touchdown and the Chiefs ' defense would continue to shut down the Vikings in the fourth quarter , forcing three interceptions on three Minnesota possessions to clinch the 23 - 7 victory . The defeat was total for the Vikings , as even their " Indestructible " quarterback Joe Kapp had to be helped off the field in the fourth quarter after being sacked by Chiefs defensive lineman Aaron Brown . Kapp was replaced by Gary Cuozzo . Fittingly , the Vikings ' final play was an interception Cuozzo threw to Thomas . Kansas City running back and future University of Southern California Athletic Director Mike Garrett , the 1965 Heismann Trophy recipient was the top rusher of the game , recording 11 carries for 39 yards and a touchdown . He also caught two passes for 25 yards and returned a kickoff for 18 yards . Taylor was the Chiefs ' leading receiver with six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown . Kapp finished the game with 16 of 25 completions for 183 yards , with two costly interceptions . Henderson was the top receiver of the game with seven catches for 111 yards . The Chiefs defense had completely shut down Minnesota ' s vaunted rushing attack . In the NFL championship game , Osborn had rushed for 108 yards while Kapp rushed for 57 . But in Super Bowl IV , the two rushed for a combined total of 24 yards . In addition , Kansas City ' s secondary held Minnesota all pro receiver Gene Washington to one reception for 9 yards . Referring to the Vikings ' three interceptions , three fumbles , and six penalties , Vikings safety Karl Kassulke said , " We made more mental mistakes in one game than we did in one season . " Final statistics . Source : " The NFL ' s Official Encyclopedic History of Professional Football " , ( 1973 ) , p . 144 , Macmillan Publishing Co . New York , NY , LCCN 73 - 3862 Starting lineups . Source : Officials . " Note : A seven - official system was not used until 1978 "