The 1975 NFL season was the 56th regular season of the National Football League. It was the first NFL season without a tie game. made two significant changes to increase the appeal of the game:
The surviving clubs with the best regular season records were made the home teams for each playoff round. Previously, game sites rotated by division.
The league pioneered the use of equipping referees with wireless microphones to announce penalties and clarify complex or unusual rulings to both fans and the media.
After a fourth down incomplete pass goes in or through the end zone, the other team will take possession at the previous line of scrimmage. Previously, it resulted in a touchback.
If there are fouls by both teams on the same play but one results in a player ejection, the penalties will still offset but the player will still be ejected.
Referees were equipped with wireless microphones to announce penalties and clarify complex or unusual rulings to both fans and the media. The NFL thus became the first professional league in North America to adopt this technology.
Division races
Starting in 1970, through 2001, there were three divisions 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 records, and records in conference play.
Baltimore finished ahead of Miami in the AFC East based on head-to-head sweep.
N.Y. Jets finished ahead of New England in the AFC East based on head-to-head sweep.
Minnesota was the top NFC playoff seed based on point rating system.
Chicago finished ahead of Green Bay in the NFC Central based on better division record.
Playoffs
Awards
Coaching changes
Offseason
Atlanta Falcons: Marion Campbell began his first full season as head coach. He replaced Norm Van Brocklin, who was fired after starting the 1974 season at 2–6.
Baltimore Colts: Ted Marchibroda joined the Colts as head coach. Howard Schnellenberger was fired after three games into the 1974 season, and General Manager Joe Thomas then served for the remainder of the season.
Kansas City Chiefs: Hank Stram, the team's only head coach in franchise history, was relived of his duties. Paul Wiggin was named as the team's new head coach.
In-season
New Orleans Saints: John North was fired after a 1-5 start to the season. Ernie Hefferle then served as interim.
New York Jets: Charley Winner was fired nine games into the season after only posting two wins. Offensive coordinator Ken Shipp served as interim for the last five games.
The New York Giants introduced new uniforms that featured blue jerseys, red trim, and white pants; and white jerseys, red trim, and blue pants. This new design emphasized a widen striping pattern with the accent color white. The lowercase "ny" helmet logo was replaced by a striped uppercase "NY", while the face masks were changed from gray to white.
