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1971 Cincinnati Bengals season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| team | Cincinnati Bengals |
| year | 1971 |
| record | |
| division_place | 4th AFC Central |
| coach | Paul Brown |
| stadium | Riverfront Stadium |
| playoffs | *Did not qualify* |
| shortnavlink | Bengals seasons |
The 1971 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 2nd season in the National Football League, and the 4th overall. Cornerback Lemar Parrish set a team record with seven interceptions, including one for a 65-yard score, Cincinnati's first-ever interception return for a touchdown. The Bengals, coming off their first division-winning season of 1970, drafted quarterback Ken Anderson in the third round of the 1971 NFL Draft. Anderson would go on to play 16 seasons for the club and set numerous team passing records.
While 1971 proved to be a disappointment, losing six games by four points or less, statistically this was the first year the Bengals led their opponents in almost every category, including point differential (+19); Cincinnati's winning percentage is the lowest in NFL history by a team with a positive point differential.
Offseason
NFL draft
Main article: 1971 NFL draft
Personnel
Staff
-
President – John Sawyer
-
Director of Player Personnel – Pete Brown
-
Head Coach/General Manager – Paul Brown
-
Quarterbacks/Receivers – Bill Walsh
-
Offensive Backfield – Jack Donaldson
-
Offensive Line – Bill Johnson
-
Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backfield – Chuck Weber
-
Defensive Line – Chuck Studley
-
Linebackers – Vince Costello
Roster
Regular season
Schedule
| Cincinnati Bengals | year=1971 | border=2}}" | Week | Cincinnati Bengals | year=1971 | border=2}}" | Date | Cincinnati Bengals | year=1971 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Cincinnati Bengals | year=1971 | border=2}}" | Result | Cincinnati Bengals | year=1971 | border=2}}" | Record | Cincinnati Bengals | year=1971 | border=2}}" | Venue | Cincinnati Bengals | year=1971 | border=2}}" | Recap | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 19 | [Philadelphia Eagles](1971-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **W** 37–14 | 1–0 | Riverfront Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197109190cin.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 26 | at **[Pittsburgh Steelers](1971-pittsburgh-steelers-season)** | **L** 10–21 | 1–1 | Three Rivers Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197109260pit.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 3 | at [Green Bay Packers](1971-green-bay-packers-season) | **L** 17–20 | 1–2 | Lambeau Field | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197110030gnb.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 10 | [Miami Dolphins](1971-miami-dolphins-season) | **L** 13–23 | 1–3 | Riverfront Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197110100cin.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 17 | **[Cleveland Browns](1971-cleveland-browns-season)** | **L** 24–27 | 1–4 | Riverfront Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197110170cin.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 24 | at [Oakland Raiders](1971-oakland-raiders-season) | **L** 27–31 | 1–5 | Oakland Coliseum | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197110240rai.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 31 | at **[Houston Oilers](1971-houston-oilers-season)** | **L** 6–10 | 1–6 | Astrodome | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197110310oti.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 7 | [Atlanta Falcons](1971-atlanta-falcons-season) | **L** 6–9 | 1–7 | Riverfront Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197111070cin.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 14 | at [Denver Broncos](1971-denver-broncos-season) | **W** 24–10 | 2–7 | Mile High Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197111140den.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 21 | **Houston Oilers** | **W** 28–13 | 3–7 | Riverfront Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197111210cin.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 28 | [San Diego Chargers](1971-san-diego-chargers-season) | **W** 31–0 | 4–7 | Riverfront Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197111280cin.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 5 | at **Cleveland Browns** | **L** 27–31 | 4–8 | Cleveland Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197112050cle.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 12 | **Pittsburgh Steelers** | **L** 13–21 | 4–9 | Riverfront Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197112120cin.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 19 | at [New York Jets](1971-new-york-jets-season) | **L** 21–35 | 4–10 | Shea Stadium | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197112190nyj.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| **Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text. |
Season summary
Week 1 vs Eagles
;Eagles
- Pete Liske 20/40, 301 Yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
- Tom Woodeshick 7 Rush, 29 Yds
- Ben Hawkins 7 Rec, 118 Yds, 2 TD ;Bengals
- Virgil Carter 22/30, 273 Yds, 3 TD
- Essex Johnson 8 Rush, 113 Yds, TD
- Speedy Thomas 4 Rec, 122 Yds, TD
Standings
Team stats
| 1971 Cincinnati Bengals Team Stats | TEAM STATS | Bengals | Opponents |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL FIRST DOWNS | 236 | 213 | |
| Rushing | 109 | 93 | |
| Passing | 115 | 102 | |
| Penalty | 12 | 18 | |
| TOTAL NET YARDS | 4266 | 3906 | |
| Avg Per Game | 304.7 | 279.0 | |
| Total Plays | 867 | 811 | |
| Avg. Per Play | 4.9 | 4.8 | |
| NET YARDS RUSHING | 2142 | 1778 | |
| Avg. Per Game | 153.0 | 127.0 | |
| Total Rushes | 462 | 446 | |
| NET YARDS PASSING | 2124 | 2128 | |
| Avg. Per Game | 151.7 | 152.0 | |
| Sacked Yards Lost | 40–303 | 30–254 | |
| Gross Yards | 2427 | 2382 | |
| Att. Completions | 365–214 | 335–157 | |
| Completion Pct. | 58.6 | 46.9 | |
| Intercepted | 11 | 27 | |
| PUNTS-AVERAGE | 73–44.7 | 73–40.9 | |
| PENALTIES-YARDS | 82-921 | 72–722 | |
| FUMBLES-BALL LOST | 29–12 | 21–12 | |
| TOUCHDOWNS | 32 | 32 | |
| Rushing | 14 | 11 | |
| Passing | 15 | 19 | |
| Returns | 3 | 2 |
| Score by Periods | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | 58 | 64 | 91 | 71 | 284 |
| Opponents | 44 | 71 | 48 | 102 | 265 |
Team leaders
- Passing: Virgil Carter (222 Att, 138 Comp, 1624 Yds, 62.2 Pct, 10 TD, 7 Int, 86.2 Rating)
- Rushing: Fred Willis (135 Att, 590 Yds, 4.4 Avg, 36 Long, 7 TD)
- Receiving: Bob Trumpy (40 Rec, 531 Yds, 13.3 Avg, 44 Long, 3 TD)
- Scoring: Horst Muhlmann, 91 points (20 FG; 31 PAT)
Awards and records
Pro Bowl selections
- CB Lemar Parrish
References
References
- "Lowest winning percentage by a team with a point differential of +1 or greater".
- "1971 Cincinnati Bengals draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- "1971 Cincinnati Bengals starters, roster, and players". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
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