1971 Kansas City Chiefs season

NFL team season December 2013 March 2026 Kansas City Chiefs 1971 10–3–1 1st AFC West Hank Stram Jack Steadman Lamar Hunt Municipal Stadium Lost Divisional Playoffs(vs. Dolphins) 24–27 (2OT Double overtime) QB Len DawsonWR Otis TaylorG Ed BuddeOT Jim TyrerDT Curley CulpDT Buck BuchananLB Bobby BellLB Willie LanierCB Emmitt ThomasK Jan StenerudP Jerrel Wilson Chiefs seasons The 1971 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's second season in the National Football League (NFL), ninth as the Kansas City Chiefs, and twelfth overall. They improved from a 7–5–2 campaign in 1970 to record a 10–3–1 mark and win the AFC West division championship, the Chiefs' first division title since 1966 and last until 1993. The Chiefs tied with the Miami Dolphins for the best record in the AFC and were tied for the third-best record overall in the NFL, trailing only the 11–3 marks of the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=siMyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0uYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4118%2C6439755 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Dolphins under KC's tree December 20, 1971 24 The Chiefs' playoff loss to Miami remains the longest game in NFL history at 82 minutes and forty seconds. Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian made a 37-yard field goal with seven minutes and twenty seconds left in the second overtime to win the game.https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LIwbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mVAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6377%2C3124067 Pittsburgh Press UPI Dallas, Miami playoff winners December 26, 1971 D1 1971 marked the end of an era, as the last remaining original Texan/Chief, longtime player Johnny Robinson, retired after all 10 seasons in the AFL, 2 seasons in the NFL, and 12 seasons with the Texans/Chiefs. 3 Season summary Most of the pieces of the team which won Super Bowl IV two years earlier were still in place. Left defensive end Jerry Mays retired after the 1970 season, with Marvin Upshaw taking his spot, but the other ten defensive starters were the same as they were two years prior. Middle linebacker Willie Lanier was a unanimous All-Pro selection following the season, and would likely have been named NFL Defensive Player of the Year had not Viking defensive tackle Alan Page become the second defensive player to win the league's Most Valuable Player award. Outside linebacker Bobby Bell, defensive tackles Buck Buchanan and Curley Culp, and cornerback Emmitt Thomas joined Lanier on the AFC Pro Bowl squad following the season. Bell, Buchanan, Culp, Lanier, and Thomas are all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On offense, Robert Holmes was traded to the San Diego Chargers midway through the season, leaving Wendell Hayes to assume the fullback duties next to third-year pro Ed Podolak, who had become the starting halfback when Mike Garrett was traded to San Diego in 1970. Morris Stroud, the tallest player in NFL history at 6 10, and Willie Frazier, acquired from San Diego, alternated at tight end for the retired Fred Arbanas, but the rest of the offensive line, save for center Jack Rudnay, remained the same from the Super Bowl winning team. Rudnay assumed the starting center spot in 1970 over veteran E. J. Holub. At wide receiver, rookie Elmo Wright, the Chiefs' first-round pick in the 1971 NFL draft from the University of Houston, assumed the slot opposite all-pro Otis Taylor, as Frank Pitts had moved on to the Cleveland Browns. Taylor earned selection to the Pro Bowl, along with guard Ed Budde, quarterback Len Dawson, and tackle Jim Tyrer. Kansas City's special teams remained among the league's elite units, thanks to the combination of kicker Jan Stenerud and punter Jerrel Wilson, both of whom were named to the Pro Bowl. Podolak and Warren McVea handled the bulk of the return duties. The season was the last for the Chiefs in Municipal Stadium; owner Lamar Hunt and general manager Jack Steadman were overseeing the construction of Arrowhead Stadium, located at the junction of Interstates 70 and 435 in Jackson County, at the eastern edge of the Kansas City city limits. Arrowhead, along with Royals Stadium, being constructed for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball, comprised the Truman Sports Complex, bucking the trend of multi-purpose stadiums in vogue at the time. The season ended as the Miami Dolphins won the longest game in National Football League history on Christmas Day, defeating the Chiefs 27–24 in double-overtime on a 37-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian in the last football game in Municipal Stadium, as well as the last game for safety Johnny Robinson,https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WgoyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jOcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=7157%2C1625476 Lawrence Daily Journal-World Kansas Associated Press Chiefs begin trying to fill Robinson void July 13, 1972 21 who was an original member of the franchise as a rookie on the 1960 Dallas Texans. Head coach Hank Stram often called the 1971 Chiefs the franchise's best-ever squad, and the home playoff loss haunted Stram for the rest of his life, even after his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003; Stram died in 2005 at age 82. Others in the Hall of Fame from this squad are owner Hunt, quarterback Dawson, and kicker Stenerud. The loss to Miami began a nosedive in the Chiefs' fortunes. Kansas City backslid to 8–6 and 7–5–2 in 1972 and 1973, before falling to 5–9 and a tie for last in the AFC West in 1974, leading to Stram's firing following the season. Kansas City did not reach the playoffs again until 1986, did not host (or win) another playoff game until 1991, and did not win the AFC West division title again until 1993. NFL draft 1971 NFL draft 1971 Kansas City Chiefs Draft Round Selection Player Position College 1 16 Elmo Wright Wide receiver Houston2 39 Wilbur Young Defensive tackle William Penn 42 Scott Lewis Defensive end Grambling 4 94 David Robinson Tight end Jacksonville State 5 120 Mike Adamle Running back Northwestern 6 146 Kerry Reardon Defensive back Iowa8 191 Mike Sensibaugh Defensive back Ohio State 198 Rick Telander Defensive back Northwestern 9 224 Alvin Hawes Tackle Minnesota 10 250 Bruce Jankowski Wide receiver Ohio State 11 276 Nate Allen Defensive back Texas Southern 12 302 Tony Esposito Running back Pittsburgh 13 328 Chuck Hixson Quarterback SMU 14 354 Bruce Bergey Defensive end UCLA 15 380 Mike Montgomery Defensive back Southwest Texas State 16 406 Darrell Jansonius Guard Iowa State 17 431 Travis Hill Defensive back Prairie View A&M Roster 1971 Kansas City Chiefs 16 Len Dawson  7 John Huarte 10 Mike Livingston  1 Mike Adamle y 38 Wendell Hayes  6 Warren McVea 35 Jim Otis 14 Ed Podolak 21 Dennis Homan 89 Otis Taylor American football 17 Elmo Wright y 83 Willie Frazier 88 Morris Stroud 71 Ed Budde G 60 George Daney G 73 Dave Hill American football T 61 Mo Moorman G 50 Mike Oriard C 58 Jack Rudnay C 70 Sid Smith offensive lineman T 77 Jim Tyrer T 87 Aaron Brown defensive lineman DE 86 Buck Buchanan DT 61 Curley Culp DT 82 Ed Lothamer DT 81 Marvin Upshaw DE 99 Wilbur Young y DE 78 Bobby Bell OLB 24 Caesar Belser OLB 63 Willie Lanier MLB 51 Jim Lynch OLB 66 Bob Stein American football MLB 23 David Hadley CB 46 Jim Kearney American football SS 40 Jim Marsalis CB 15 Kerry Reardon CB/S y 42 Johnny Robinson safety FS 18 Emmitt Thomas CB  3 Jan Stenerud K 44 Jerrel Wilson P 79 Larry Gagner G IR 55 E. J. Holub C IR 54 Clyde Werner LB IR 48 Nate Allen cornerback y CB 11 Mike Eischeid P 12 Chuck Hixson y QB 41 Bruce Jankowski y WR 20 Mike Sensibaugh S y Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 August 7, 1971 at Baltimore Colts W 10–7 1–0 Memorial Stadium 16,771 Recap 2 August 14, 1971 Atlanta Falcons W 12–10 2–0 Municipal Stadium 37,403 Recap 3 August 21, 1971 at New Orleans Saints W 27–7 3–0 Tulane Stadium 70,459 Recap 4 August 30, 1971 New York Jets W 21–16 4–0 Municipal Stadium 37,650 Recap 5 September 4, 1971 St. Louis Cardinals T 17–17 4–0–1 Municipal Stadium 36,743 Recap 6 September 11, 1971 at Dallas Cowboys L 17–24 4–1–1 Cotton Bowl 74,035 Recap Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap 1 September 19 at San Diego Chargers L 14–21 0–1 San Diego Stadium 54,061 Recap 2 September 26 at Houston Oilers W 20–16 1–1 Houston Astrodome 46,498 Recap 3 October 3 at Denver Broncos W 16–3 2–1 Mile High Stadium 51,200 Recap 4 October 10 San Diego Chargers W 31–10 3–1 Municipal Stadium 50,514 Recap 5 October 18, 1971 Pittsburgh Steelers W 38–16 4–1 Municipal Stadium 49,533 Recap 6 October 24 Washington Redskins W 27–20 5–1 Municipal Stadium 51,989 Recap 7 October 31 at Oakland Raiders T 20–20 5–1–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 54,715 Recap 8 November 7 at New York Jets L 10–13 5–2–1 Shea Stadium 62,812 Recap 9 November 14 Cleveland Browns W 13–7 6–2–1 Municipal Stadium 50,388 Recap 10 November 21 Denver Broncos W 28–10 7–2–1 Municipal Stadium 49,945 Recap 11 November 25 at Detroit Lions L 21–32 7–3–1 Tiger Stadium 54,418 Recap 12 December 6, 1971 at San Francisco 49ers W 26–17 8–3–1 Candlestick Park 45,306 Recap 13 December 12 Oakland Raiders W 16–14 9–3–1 Municipal Stadium 51,215 Recap 14 December 19 Buffalo Bills W 22–9 10–3–1 Municipal Stadium 48,121 Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Game summaries Week 1: at San Diego Chargers Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary September 19 1:00 p.m. PDT Chiefs 7 7 0 0 Chargers 0 0 7 14 San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California 54,381 73 F C Ben Dreith NBC Jay Randolph and Willie Davis Recap First quarter KC – Warren McVea 6-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. Second quarter KC – Ed Podolak 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–0. Third quarter SD – Mike Montgomery 39-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick). Chiefs 14–7. Fourth quarter SD – Jerry LeVias 37-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick). Tied 14–14. SD – Mike Garrett 26-yard run (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 21–14. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 11/22, 152 yards, 2 INT SD – John Hadl – 17/37, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers KC – Ed Podolak – 17 rushes, 65 yards SD – Mike Garrett – 15 rushes, 59 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 76 yards SD – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 72 yards Week 2: at Houston Oilers Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Oilers – Game summary September 26 1:00 p.m. CDT Chiefs 10 3 0 7 Oilers 0 7 3 6 Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas 46,498 None (indoor stadium) Fred Swearingen NBC Charlie Jones and George Ratterman Recap First quarter KC – Wendell Hayes 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. KC – Jan Stenerud 43-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–0. Second quarter HOU – Ken Houston 68-yard fumble return (Braden Beck kick). Chiefs 10–7. KC – Jan Stenerud 11-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–7. Third quarter HOU – Braden Beck 15-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–10. Fourth quarter HOU – Charlie Joiner 12-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (kick failed). Oilers 16–13. KC – Warren McVea 4-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 20–16. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 14/24, 207 yards HOU – Dan Pastorini – 10/21, 156 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers KC – Warren McVea – 15 rushes, 45 yards, TD HOU – Joe Dawkins – 13 rushes, 16 yards Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 97 yards HOU – Ken Burrough – 2 receptions, 49 yards Week 3: at Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary October 3 2:00 p.m. MDT Chiefs 0 10 0 6 Broncos 3 0 0 0 Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado 51,200 47 F C Norm Schachter NBC Ross Porter and Dave Kocourek Recap First quarter DEN – Jim Turner 37-yard field goal. Broncos 3–0. Second quarter KC – Aaron Brown 68-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–3. KC – Jan Stenerud 20-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–3. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 26-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–3. KC – Jan Stenerud 16-yard field goal. Chiefs 16–3. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 9/21, 91 yards, INT DEN – Don Horn – 14/27, 168 yards, 4 INT Top rushers KC – Ed Podolak – 15 rushes, 38 yards DEN – Bobby Anderson – 11 rushes, 34 yards Top receivers KC – Morris Stroud – 1 reception, 50 yards DEN – Jim Whalen – 3 receptions, 71 yards Week 4: vs. San Diego Chargers Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 4: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary October 10 1:00 p.m. CDT Chargers 3 7 0 0 Chiefs 0 10 7 14 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 50,514 53 F C Norm Schachter NBC Ross Porter and Willie Davis Recap First quarter SD – Dennis Partee 43-yard field goal. Chargers 3–0. Second quarter SD – Mike Garrett 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick). Chargers 10–0. KC – Jim Otis 3-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chargers 10–7. KC – Jan Stenerud 29-yard field goal. Tied 10–10. Third quarter KC – Otis Taylor 15-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 17–10. Fourth quarter KC – Warren McVea 15-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 24–10. KC – Ed Podolak 7-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 31–10. Top passers SD – John Hadl – 12/23, 135 yards, TD, 2 INT KC – Len Dawson – 16/23, 188 yards, 2 TD Top rushers SD – Mike Garrett – 7 rushes, 44 yards KC – Warren McVea – 11 rushes, 80 yards Top receivers SD – Gary Garrison – 1 reception, 36 yards KC – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 97 yards, TD Week 5: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 5: Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary October 18, 1971 8:00 p.m. CDT Steelers 9 0 0 7 Chiefs 0 28 0 10 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 49,533 73 F C Pat Haggerty ABC Frank Gifford, Don Meredith and Howard Cosell Recap First quarter PIT – Roy Gerela 43-yard field goal. Steelers 3–0. PIT – Roy Gerela 40-yard field goal. Steelers 6–0. PIT – Roy Gerela 35-yard field goal. Steelers 9–0. Second quarter KC – Otis Taylor 3-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Steelers 9–7. KC – Otis Taylor 27-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–9. KC – Elmo Wright 5-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 21–9. KC – Ed Podolak 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 28–9. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 11-yard field goal. Chiefs 31–9. PIT – John Fuqua 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick). Chiefs 31–16. KC – Emmitt Thomas 32-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 38–16. Top passers PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 20/39, 269 yards, 2 INT KC – Len Dawson – 14/26, 290 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 9 rushes, 37 yards KC – Ed Podolak – 20 rushes, 43 yards, TD Top receivers PIT – Dave Smith – 5 receptions, 93 yards KC – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 190 yards, 2 TD Week 6: vs. Washington Redskins Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 6: Washington Redskins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary October 24 3:00 p.m. CDT Redskins 7 10 0 3 Chiefs 3 3 7 14 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 51,989 62 F C Jack Vest CBS Ray Scott, Pat Summerall and Ron Barr Recap First quarter WAS – Charley Taylor 4-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick). Redskins 7–0. KC – Jan Stenerud 39-yard field goal. Redskins 7–3. Second quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 15-yard field goal. Redskins 7–6. WAS – Curt Knight 33-yard field goal. Redskins 10–6. WAS – Charley Taylor 36-yard pass from Billy Kilmer (Curt Knight kick). Redskins 17–6. Third quarter KC – Otis Taylor 25-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Redskins 17–13. Fourth quarter WAS – Curt Knight 23-yard field goal. Redskins 20–13. KC – Elmo Wright 15-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Tied 20–20. KC – Otis Taylor 28-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 27–20. Top passers WAS – Billy Kilmer – 15/38, 220 yards, 2 TD, INT KC – Len Dawson – 10/23, 203 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT Top rushers WAS – Charley Harraway – 12 rushes, 58 yards KC – Ed Podolak – 24 rushes, 110 yards Top receivers WAS – Charley Taylor – 7 receptions, 125 yards, 2 TD KC – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 105 yards, 2 TD Week 7: at Oakland Raiders Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Game summary October 31 1:00 p.m. PST Chiefs 7 7 3 3 Raiders 3 7 0 10 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California 54,715 52 F C Tommy Bell NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Recap First quarter KC – Ed Podolak 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. OAK – George Blanda 17-yard field goal. Chiefs 7–3. Second quarter OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 10–7. KC – Ed Podolak 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–10. Third quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 12-yard field goal. Chiefs 17–10. Fourth quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 37-yard field goal. Chiefs 20–10. OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 24-yard pass from George Blanda (George Blanda kick). Chiefs 20–17. OAK – George Blanda 8-yard field goal. Tied 20–20. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 7/13, 133 yards, INT OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 10/22, 162 yards, 2 INT Top rushers KC – Ed Podolak – 13 rushes, 71 yards, 2 TD OAK – Marv Hubbard – 17 rushes, 48 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 70 yards OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 7 receptions, 128 yards, TD Week 8: at New York Jets Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets – Game summary November 7 1:00 p.m. EST Chiefs 7 3 0 0 Jets 7 3 0 3 Shea Stadium, New York, New York 62,812 53 F C Dick Jorgensen NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Recap First quarter NYJ – Emerson Boozer 1-yard run (Bobby Howfield kick). Jets 7–0. KC – Mike Adamle 6-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Tied 7–7. Second quarter NYJ – Bobby Howfield 30-yard field goal. Jets 10–7. KC – Jan Stenerud 19-yard field goal. Tied 10–10. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter NYJ – Bobby Howfield 39-yard field goal. Jets 13–10. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 13/25, 111 yards, TD, 2 INT NYJ – Bob Davis – 3/9, 19 yards Top rushers KC – Warren McVea – 11 rushes, 39 yards NYJ – John Riggins – 11 rushes, 63 yards Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 2 receptions, 35 yards NYJ – Don Maynard – 2 receptions, 24 yards Week 9: vs. Cleveland Browns Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 9: Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary November 14 3:00 p.m. CST Browns 0 0 0 7 Chiefs 3 10 0 0 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 50,388 66 F C Bernie Ulman NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Recap First quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 14-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0. Second quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 27-yard field goal. Chiefs 6–0. KC – Wendell Hayes 26-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 13–0. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter CLE – Milt Morin 18-yard pass from Bill Nelsen (Don Cockroft kick). Chiefs 13–7. Top passers CLE – Bill Nelsen – 7/11, 130 yards, TD KC – Len Dawson – 15/24, 234 yards, TD Top rushers CLE – Leroy Kelly – 9 rushes, 30 yards KC – Ed Podolak – 20 rushes, 69 yards Top receivers CLE – Frank Pitts – 5 receptions, 129 yards KC – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 66 yards Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 10: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary November 21 1:00 p.m. CST Broncos 3 0 0 7 Chiefs 14 7 7 0 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 49,945 44 F C John McDonough NBC Jay Randolph and George Ratterman Recap First quarter KC – Morris Stroud 39-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. KC – Elmo Wright 69-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 14–0. DEN – Jim Turner 12-yard field goal. Chiefs 14–3. Second quarter KC – Ed Podolak 17-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 21–3. Third quarter KC – Jim Otis 12-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 28–3. Fourth quarter DEN – Floyd Little 26-yard run (Jim Turner kick). Chiefs 28–10. Top passers DEN – Steve Ramsey – 17/37, 231 yards, 3 INT KC – Len Dawson – 11/19, 294 yards, 3 TD, INT Top rushers DEN – Floyd Little – 13 rushes, 63 yards, TD KC – Ed Podolak – 14 rushes, 69 yards, TD Top receivers DEN – Jerry Simmons – 6 receptions, 153 yards KC – Morris Stroud – 3 receptions, 93 yards, TD Week 11: at Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day games Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions – Game summary November 25, 1971 12:00 p.m. EST Chiefs 0 7 7 7 Lions 0 17 12 3 Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan 54,418 29 F C Jim Tunney NBC Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis Recap First quarter No scoring plays. Second quarter DET – Errol Mann 27-yard field goal. Lions 3–0. DET – Steve Owens 1-yard run (Errol Mann kick). Lions 10–0. KC – Ed Podolak 2-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Lions 10–7. DET – Charlie Sanders 5-yard pass from Greg Landry (Errol Mann kick). Lions 17–7. Third quarter DET – Earl McCullouch 17-yard pass from Greg Landry (Errol Mann kick). Lions 24–7. DET – Punt blocked by Ron Jessie out of bounds in endzone for a Safety. Lions 26–7. DET – Errol Mann 28-yard field goal. Lions 29–7. KC – Ed Podolak 5-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Lions 29–14. Fourth quarter DET – Errol Mann 21-yard field goal. Lions 32–14. KC – Ed Podolak 6-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Lions 32–21. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 13/22, 139 yards, INT DET – Greg Landry – 15/22, 225 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers KC – Wendell Hayes – 10 rushes, 68 yards DET – Steve Owens – 22 rushes, 79 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Ed Podolak – 5 receptions, 61 yards DET – Charlie Sanders – 5 receptions, 90 yards, TD Week 12: at San Francisco 49ers Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 12: Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary December 6, 1971 6:00 p.m. PST Chiefs 0 16 7 3 49ers 3 7 0 7 Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California 45,306 53 F C Pat Haggerty ABC Frank Gifford, Don Meredith and Howard Cosell Recap First quarter SF – Bruce Gossett 18-yard field goal. 49ers 3–0. Second quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 15-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. KC – Otis Taylor 46-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 10–3. KC – Jan Stenerud 54-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–3. SF – Ted Kwalick 35-yard pass from John Brodie (Bruce Gossett kick). Chiefs 13–10. KC – Jan Stenerud 12-yard field goal. Chiefs 16–10. Third quarter KC – Otis Taylor 25-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 23–10. Fourth quarter SF – Vic Washington 3-yard run (Bruce Gossett kick). Chiefs 23–17. KC – Jan Stenerud 8-yard field goal. Chiefs 26–17. Top passers KC – Len Dawson – 16/28, 263 yards, TD SF – John Brodie – 20/32, 229 yards, TD, INT Top rushers KC – Ed Podolak – 17 rushes, 75 yards SF – Vic Washington – 12 rushes, 43 yards, TD Top receivers KC – Otis Taylor – 5 receptions, 81 yards, TD SF – Gene Washington – 3 receptions, 73 yards Week 13: vs. Oakland Raiders Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 13: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary December 12 3:00 p.m. CST Raiders 0 7 0 7 Chiefs 7 6 7 3 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 51,215 38 F C Fred Swearingen NBC Curt Gowdy and Al De Rogatis Recap First quarter KC – Otis Taylor 29-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 7–0. Second quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 33-yard field goal. Chiefs 10–0. OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick). Chiefs 10–7. KC – Jan Stenerud 14-yard field goal. Chiefs 13–7. Third quarter No scoring plays. Fourth quarter OAK – Marv Hubbard 1-yard run (George Blanda kick). Raiders 14–13. KC – Jan Stenerud 10-yard field goal. Chiefs 16–14. Top passers OAK – George Blanda – 12/22, 94 yards, 2 INT KC – Len Dawson – 18/31, 199 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers OAK – Marv Hubbard – 21 rushes, 77 yards, 2 TD KC – Wendell Hayes – 19 rushes, 77 yards Top receivers OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 6 receptions, 52 yards KC – Otis Taylor – 8 receptions, 113 yards, TD Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse Week 14: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary December 19 1:00 p.m. CST Bills 3 6 0 0 Chiefs 3 6 10 3 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 48,121 44 F C Bob Frederic NBC Jay Randolph and George Ratterman Recap First quarter BUF – John Leypoldt 45-yard field goal. Bills 3–0. KC – Jan Stenerud 48-yard field goal. Tied 3–3. Second quarter BUF – John Leypoldt 31-yard field goal. Bills 6–3. KC – Jan Stenerud 23-yard field goal. Tied 6–6. BUF – John Leypoldt 49-yard field goal. Bills 9–6. KC – Jan Stenerud 48-yard field goal. Tied 9–9. Third quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 45-yard field goal. Chiefs 12–9. KC – Bobby Bell 26-yard interception return (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 19–9. Fourth quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 34-yard field goal. Chiefs 22–9. Top passers BUF – Dennis Shaw – 17/34, 196 yards, 2 INT KC – Mike Livingston – 11/25, 136 yards Top rushers BUF – O. J. Simpson – 14 rushes, 68 yards KC – Warren McVea – 5 rushes, 40 yards Top receivers BUF – Marlin Briscoe – 3 receptions, 40 yards KC – Otis Taylor – 4 receptions, 55 yards Standings Postseason 1971–72 NFL playoffs Schedule Round Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap Divisional December 25 Miami Dolphins L 24–27 (2OT) 0–1 Municipal Stadium 45,822 Recap Game summaries AFC Divisional Playoffs: vs. Miami Dolphins NFL on Christmas Day Kansas City Chiefs 1971 2; text-align:center autocollapse AFC Divisional Playoffs: Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary December 25 3:00 p.m. CST Dolphins 0 10 7 7 0 3 Chiefs 10 0 7 7 0 0 Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri 45,822 62 F C John McDonough NBC Curt Gowdy and Al De Rogatis Recap First quarter KC – Jan Stenerud 24-yard field goal. Chiefs 3–0. KC – Ed Podolak 7-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 10–0. Second quarter MIA – Larry Csonka 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Chiefs 10–7. MIA – Garo Yepremian 14-yard field goal. Tied 10–10. Third quarter KC – Jim Otis 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 17–10. MIA – Jim Kiick 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Tied 17–17. Fourth quarter KC – Ed Podolak 3-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick). Chiefs 24–17. MIA – Marv Fleming 5-yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick). Tied 24–24. Overtime No scoring plays. Second overtime MIA – Garo Yepremian 37-yard field goal. Dolphins 27–24. Top passers MIA – Bob Griese – 20/35, 263 yards, TD, 2 INT KC – Len Dawson – 18/26, 246 yards, TD, 2 INT Top rushers MIA – Larry Csonka – 24 rushes, 86 yards, TD KC – Wendell Hayes – 22 rushes, 100 yards Top receivers MIA – Paul Warfield – 7 receptions, 140 yards KC – Ed Podolak – 8 receptions, 110 yards, TD References External links 1971 Kansas City Chiefs at Pro-Football-Reference.com 1971 Kansas City Chiefs at ProFootballArchives.com 1971 Kansas City Chiefs at jt-sw.com Category:Kansas City Chiefs seasons Kansas City Chiefs Category:AFC West championship seasons Kansas