| Team: | Denver Broncos |
| Year: | 1971 |
| Record: | 4–9–1 |
| Division Place: | 4th AFC West |
| General Manager: | Lou Saban |
| Owner: | Gerald Phipps |
| Stadium: | Mile High Stadium |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Shortnavlink: | Broncos seasons |
The 1971 Denver Broncos season was the team's 12th 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 (914.4 meters) yards in a season;[1] the future Hall of Famer ran for 1,133 yards (121.615 meters), averaging four yards (3.6 meters) 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.[2] [3] Several days after the season finale, Saban was rehired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, who had just one victory in 1971.[4] [5] they 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.[6] [7]
See main article: article and 1971 NFL Draft.
See main article: 1971 NFL season.
| 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. | ||||||||