The 1971 Denver Broncos season was the team's twelfth season in professional football and second in the National Football League (NFL). Led by fifth-year head coach and general manager Lou Saban, the Broncos finished the season with four wins, nine losses, and one tie, again fourth in the AFC West. Fifth-year running back Floyd Little became the thirteenth in professional football history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season;Sports Illustrated, July 26, 2010, The Unexpected Hero by Gary Smith, p.63, Published by Time Inc. the future Hall of Famer ran for 1,133 yards, averaging four yards per carry.
On Wednesday, November 17, Saban stepped down as head coach but remained as general manager; offensive line coach Jerry Smith led the team for the final five games, with two wins. Several days after the season finale, Saban was hired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who had just one victory in 1971. The Bills improved to 9–5 in 1973 and made the playoffs in 1974.
In early January 1972, the Broncos hired John Ralston as head coach and general manager; he was previously the head coach for nine years at Stanford University, upset winners of the last two Rose Bowls.
Offseason
NFL draft
Personnel
Staff / Coaches
Roster
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 19 Miami Dolphins T 10–10 0–0–1 Mile High Stadium 51,228 2 September 26 at Green Bay Packers L 13–34 0–1–1 Milwaukee County Stadium 47,957 3 October 3 Kansas City Chiefs L 3–16 0–2–1 Mile High Stadium 51,200 4 October 10 Oakland Raiders L 16–27 0–3–1 Mile High Stadium 51,200 5 October 17 San Diego Chargers W 20–16 1–3–1 Mile High Stadium 51,200 6 October 24 at Cleveland Browns W 27–0 2–3–1 Cleveland Stadium 75,674 7 October 31 at Philadelphia Eagles L 16–17 2–4–1 Veterans Stadium 65,358 8 November 7 Detroit Lions L 20–24 2–5–1 Mile High Stadium 51,200 9 November 14 Cincinnati Bengals L 10–24 2–6–1 Mile High Stadium 51,200 10 November 21 at Kansas City Chiefs L 10–28 2–7–1 Municipal Stadium 49,945 11 November 28 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 22–10 3–7–1 Three Rivers Stadium 39,710 12 December 5 Chicago Bears W 6–3 4–7–1 Mile High Stadium 51,200 13 December 12 at San Diego Chargers L 17–45 4–8–1 San Diego Stadium 44,347 14 December 19 at Oakland Raiders L 13–21 4–9–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 54,651 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. The sites of the two games with the Oakland Raiders were switched.
Standings
References
External links Denver Broncos – 1971 media guide 1971 Denver Broncos season at jt-sw.com 1971 Denver Broncos at Pro-Football-Reference.com