The 1961 Oakland Raiders season was the team's second in the American Football League. Based in Oakland, they played their home games in San Francisco at Candlestick Park.
The Raiders tried to improve on their 6–8 record from 1960, but finished last in the AFL West at 2–12, dropping their final six games. They set an AFL record in 1961, posting a point differential of negative-221,Oakland scored 271 points, and surrendered 458 points – Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1960 to 1969, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points Differential and surrendered 36 rushing touchdowns, a pro football record.
The following year, the Raiders moved to the new Frank Youell Field in Oakland, and played in that temporary venue for four seasons.
Season schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 at Houston Oilers L 0–55 0–1 Jeppesen Stadium 16,231 Recap 2 September 17 at San Diego Chargers L 0–44 0–2 Balboa Stadium 20,216 Recap 3 September 24 Dallas Texans L 35–42 0–3 Candlestick Park 6,737 Recap 4 October 1 Denver Broncos W 33–19 1–3 Candlestick Park 8,361 Recap 5Bye 6 October 15 at Denver Broncos L 24–27 1–4 Bears Stadium 11,129 Recap 7 October 22 San Diego Chargers L 10–41 1–5 Candlestick Park 12,014 Recap 8 October 29 New York Titans L 6–14 1–6 Candlestick Park 7,138 Recap 9 November 5 at Buffalo Bills W 31–22 2–6 War Memorial Stadium 17,027 Recap 10 at New York Titans L 12–23 2–7 Polo Grounds 16,811 Recap 11 at Boston Patriots L 17–20 2–8 Boston University Field 18,169 Recap 12 November 26 at Dallas Texans L 11–43 2–9 Cotton Bowl 14,500 Recap 13 December 3 Buffalo Bills L 21–26 2–10 Candlestick Park 6,500 Recap 14 Boston Patriots L 21–35 2–11 Candlestick Park 6,500 Recap 15 December 17 Houston Oilers L 16–47 2–12 Candlestick Park 4,821 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
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