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

Personnel

Staff

Roster

Regular season

Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 19 Philadelphia Eagles W 37–14 1–0 Riverfront Stadium Recap 2September 26 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–21 1–1 Three Rivers Stadium Recap 3October 3 at Green Bay Packers L 17–20 1–2 Lambeau Field Recap 4October 10 Miami Dolphins L 13–23 1–3 Riverfront Stadium Recap 5October 17 Cleveland Browns L 24–27 1–4 Riverfront Stadium Recap 6October 24 at Oakland Raiders L 27–31 1–5 Oakland Coliseum Recap 7 October 31 at Houston Oilers L 6–10 1–6 Astrodome Recap 8November 7 Atlanta Falcons L 6–9 1–7 Riverfront Stadium Recap 9November 14 at Denver Broncos W 24–10 2–7 Mile High Stadium Recap 10 November 21 Houston Oilers W 28–13 3–7 Riverfront Stadium Recap 11November 28 San Diego Chargers W 31–0 4–7 Riverfront Stadium Recap 12December 5 at Cleveland Browns L 27–31 4–8 Cleveland Stadium Recap 13 December 12 Pittsburgh Steelers L 13–21 4–9 Riverfront Stadium Recap 14 December 19 at New York Jets L 21–35 4–10 Shea Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Season summary

Week 1 vs Eagles

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 72–722FUMBLES-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

External links 1971 Cincinnati Bengals at Pro-Football-Reference.com