The 1971 Houston Oilers season was the team's 12th season, and second with the National Football League. The Oilers improved on their previous season's output of three victories, winning four games in 1971.1971 Houston Oilers They missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Cleveland Browns business manager Bob Brodhead was named general manager of the Oilers on February 13, 1971. He resigned 50 days later and returned to the Browns. Director of player personnel John W. Breen was promoted to GM on May 5.
The 1971 Oilers are the only team in NFL history to throw three-or-more interceptions in ten different games.Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the NFL, in the regular season, requiring Passes Intercepted >= 3, sorted by most games in season matching criteria. (The team was 2–7–1 in those games.)
One of the only bright spots was fifth year safety Ken Houston. Houston, who had the best season of his career, snagged 9 interceptions for 220 yards and 4 touchdowns (all career highs).
Offseason NFL draft
Roster
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 19 at Cleveland Browns L 0–31 0–1 Cleveland Stadium 73,387 Recap 2 September 26 Kansas City Chiefs L 16–20 0–2 Houston Astrodome 46,498 Recap 3 October 3 New Orleans Saints T 13–13 0–2–1 Houston Astrodome 47,966 Recap 4 October 10 at Washington Redskins L 13–22 0–3–1 RFK Stadium 53,041 Recap 5 October 17 Detroit Lions L 7–31 0–4–1 Houston Astrodome 45,885 Recap 6 October 24 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–23 0–5–1 Three Rivers Stadium 45,872 Recap 7 October 31 Cincinnati Bengals W 10–6 1–5–1 Houston Astrodome 37,947 Recap 8 November 7 at New England Patriots L 20–28 1–6–1 Schaefer Stadium 53,155 Recap 9 November 14 at Oakland Raiders L 21–41 1–7–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 54,705 Recap 10 November 21 at Cincinnati Bengals L 13–28 1–8–1 Riverfront Stadium 59,390 Recap 11 November 28 Cleveland Browns L 24–37 1–9–1 Houston Astrodome 37,921 Recap 12 December 5 Pittsburgh Steelers W 29–3 2–9–1 Houston Astrodome 37,778 Recap 13 December 12 at Buffalo Bills W 20–14 3–9–1 War Memorial Stadium 28,107 Recap 14 December 19 San Diego Chargers W 49–33 4–9–1 Houston Astrodome 35,959 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
References