The 1961 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 12th season in the National Football League, their 16th overall, and their second season under head coach Red Hickey.
The 49ers attempted to improve on their 7–5 season from the previous season, and make the playoffs for the first time since 1957. However, despite starting the season 4–1, they would lose 5 of their last 8 games, finishing their season 7–6–1, and they missed the playoffs for the 4th straight year.
Offseason NFL draft
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 vs. New York Giants L 20–21 0–1 Multnomah Stadium 24,084 2 August 21 Cleveland Browns L 24–27 0–2 Kezar Stadium 38,759 3 Minnesota Vikings W 14–10 1–2 Multnomah Stadium 27,044 4 at Los Angeles Rams W 38–20 2–2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 42,558 5 vs. Dallas Cowboys W 24–7 3–2 Hughes Stadium 22,130
Regular season
Schedule Game Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Sources 1 September 17 Washington Redskins W 35–3 1–0 Kezar Stadium 43,412 Recap 2 September 24 at Green Bay Packers L 10–30 1–1 New City Stadium 38,624 Recap 3 October 1 at Detroit Lions W 49–0 2–1 Tiger Stadium 53,155 Recap 4 October 8 Los Angeles Rams W 35–0 3–1 Kezar Stadium 59,004 Recap 5 October 15 at Minnesota Vikings W 38–24 4–1 Metropolitan Stadium 34,415 Recap 6 October 22 at Chicago Bears L 0–31 4–2 Wrigley Field 49,070 Recap 7 October 29 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–20 4–3 Forbes Field 19,686 Recap 8 November 5 Detroit Lions T 20–20 4–3–1 Kezar Stadium 56,878 Recap 9 November 12 at Los Angeles Rams L 7–17 4–4–1 L.A. Memorial Coliseum 63,766 Recap 10 November 19 Chicago Bears W 41–31 5–4–1 Kezar Stadium 52,972 Recap 11 November 26 Minnesota Vikings W 38–28 6–4–1 Kezar Stadium 48,905 Recap 12 December 3 at Baltimore Colts L 17–20 6–5–1 Memorial Stadium 57,641 Recap 13 December 10 Green Bay Packers W 22–21 7–5–1 Kezar Stadium 55,722 Recap 14 Baltimore Colts L 27–24 7–6–1 Kezar Stadium 45,517 Recap Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Personnel Staff / Coaches
Roster
References
1961 49ers on Pro Football Reference 49ers Schedule on jt-sw.com
External links
Bob Fouts (narrator), 1961 49ers Season Highlights: Detroit Lions vs. San Francisco 49ers, Falstaff Beer via YouTube.com, October 1, 1961. (Video.) Bob Fouts (narrator), 1961 49ers Season Highlights: Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers, Falstaff Beer via YouTube.com, October 8, 1961. (Video.) Bob Fouts (narrator), 1961 49ers Season Highlights: Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers, Falstaff Beer via YouTube.com, November 19, 1961. (Video.) Bob Fouts (narrator), 1961 49ers Season Highlights: Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers, Falstaff Beer via YouTube.com, November 26, 1961. (Video.) Bob Fouts (narrator), 1961 49ers Season Highlights: Green Bay Packers vs. San Francisco 49ers, Falstaff Beer via YouTube.com, December 5, 1961. (Video.)