The St. Louis Cardinals season was the 52nd season the team was in the National Football League and twelfth in St. Louis. Led by first-year head coach Bob Hollway, the Cardinals failed to improve on their previous year's 8–5–1 record, winning only four games.1971 St. Louis Cardinals They failed to reach the playoffs for the 23rd straight season, their previous appearance was in 1948 in the championship game.
This was the last season the team was co-owned by Charles Bidwill, Jr.; he sold his share to his younger brother Bill in September 1972. The adopted sons of Charles and Violet Bidwill, the two had co-owned the team since their mother's death in January 1962.
Hired in February, Hollway was previously the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings under head coach Bud Grant.
Offseason NFL draft
Personnel Staff / Coaches
Roster 1971 St. Louis Cardinals roster Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen Linebackers
Defensive backs
FS/SS FS/SS
Special teams Reserve lists
Practice squad
rookies in italics
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 19 Washington Redskins L 17–24 0–1 Busch Memorial Stadium 46,805 2 New York Jets W 17–10 1–1 Busch Memorial Stadium 50,358 3 October 3 New York Giants L 20–21 1–2 Busch Memorial Stadium 49,571 4 October 10 at Atlanta Falcons W 26–9 2–2 Atlanta Stadium 58,850 5 October 17 at Washington Redskins L 0–20 2–3 RFK Stadium 53,041 6 October 24 San Francisco 49ers L 14–26 2–4 Busch Memorial Stadium 50,419 7 October 31 at Buffalo Bills W 28–23 3–4 War Memorial Stadium 40,040 8 November 7 Dallas Cowboys L 13–16 3–5 Busch Memorial Stadium 50,486 9 at San Diego Chargers L 17–20 3–6 San Diego Stadium 46,486 10 November 21 Philadelphia Eagles L 20–37 3–7 Busch Memorial Stadium 48,658 11 November 28 at New York Giants W 24–7 4–7 Yankee Stadium 62,878 12 December 5 Green Bay Packers T 16–16 4–7–1 Busch Memorial Stadium 50,443 13 December 12 at Philadelphia Eagles L 7–19 4–8–1 Veterans Stadium 65,358 14 at Dallas Cowboys L 12–31 4–9–1 Texas Stadium 66,672 Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
References