1971 Kansas City Chiefs season

1971 Kansas City Chiefs season
Owner	Lamar Hunt
General manager	Jack Steadman
Head coach	Hank Stram
Home field	Municipal Stadium
Results
Record	10–3–1
Division place	1st AFC West
Playoff finish	Lost Divisional Playoffs (vs. Dolphins) 24–27 (2OT)
Pro Bowlers	QB Len Dawson WR Otis Taylor G Ed Budde OT Jim Tyrer DT Curley Culp DT Buck Buchanan LB Bobby Bell LB Willie Lanier CB Emmitt Thomas K Jan Stenerud P Jerrel Wilson

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.

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.

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.

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 ft 10 in (2.08 m), 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, 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

Main article: 1971 NFL draft

1971 Kansas City Chiefs Draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
1	16	Elmo Wright	Wide receiver	Houston
2	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	Iowa
8	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 roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 16 Len Dawson 7 John Huarte 10 Mike Livingston Running backs (RB) 1 Mike Adamle 38 Wendell Hayes 45 Robert Holmes 6 Warren McVea 35 Jim Otis 14 Ed Podolak Wide receivers (WR) 21 Dennis Homan 41 Bruce Jankowski 89 Otis Taylor 17 Elmo Wright Tight ends (TE) 83 Willie Frazier 88 Morris Stroud

Offensive linemen (OL) 71 Ed Budde G 60 George Daney G 73 Dave Hill T 61 Mo Moorman G 58 Jack Rudnay C 70 Sid Smith T 77 Jim Tyrer T Defensive linemen (DL) 84 Bruce Bergey DE 87 Aaron Brown DE 86 Buck Buchanan DT 61 Curley Culp DT 82 Ed Lothamer DT 81 Marvin Upshaw DE 99 Wilbur Young DE

Linebackers (LB) 78 Bobby Bell 63 Willie Lanier 51 Jim Lynch 50 Mike Oriard 66 Bob Stein Defensive backs (DB) 48 Nate Allen CB 24 Caesar Belser 23 David Hadley 46 Jim Kearney SS 40 Jim Marsalis CB 15 Kerry Reardon CB 42 Johnny Robinson FS 20 Mike Sensibaugh FS 18 Emmitt Thomas CB Special teams  3 Jan Stenerud K 44 Jerrel Wilson P

Practice squad 12 Chuck Hixson QB Reserve 54 Clyde Werner LB (IR) Rookies in italics

Preseason

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	August 7	at Baltimore Colts	W 10–7	1–0	Memorial Stadium	16,771	Recap
2	August 14	Atlanta Falcons	W 12–10	2–0	Municipal Stadium	37,403	Recap
3	August 21	at New Orleans Saints	W 27–7	3–0	Tulane Stadium	70,459	Recap
4	August 30	New York Jets	W 21–16	4–0	Municipal Stadium	37,650	Recap
5	September 4	St. Louis Cardinals	T 17–17	4–0–1	Municipal Stadium	36,743	Recap
6	September 11	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	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	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

Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	7	0	0	14
Chargers	0	0	7	14	21

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

• Date: September 19
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
• Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
• Game attendance: 54,381
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and Willie Davis
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 2: Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Oilers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	10	3	0	7	20
Oilers	0	7	3	6	16

at Houston Astrodome, Houston, Texas

• Date: September 26
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
• Game attendance: 46,498
• Referee: Fred Swearingen
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and George Ratterman
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 3: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	10	0	6	16
Broncos	3	0	0	0	3

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

• Date: October 3
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C)
• Game attendance: 51,200
• Referee: Norm Schachter
• TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Dave Kocourek
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 4: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	7	0	0	10
Chiefs	0	10	7	14	31

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: October 10
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
• Game attendance: 50,514
• Referee: Norm Schachter
• TV announcers (NBC): Ross Porter and Willie Davis
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 5: Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Steelers	9	0	0	7	16
Chiefs	0	28	0	10	38

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: October 18
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 73 °F (23 °C)
• Game attendance: 49,533
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Don Meredith and Howard Cosell
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 6: Washington Redskins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	7	10	0	3	20
Chiefs	3	3	7	14	27

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: October 24
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C)
• Game attendance: 51,989
• Referee: Jack Vest
• TV announcers (CBS): Ray Scott, Pat Summerall and Ron Barr
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	7	3	3	20
Raiders	3	7	0	10	20

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

• Date: October 31
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C)
• Game attendance: 54,715
• Referee: Tommy Bell
• TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jets – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	7	3	0	0	10
Jets	7	3	0	3	13

at Shea Stadium, New York, New York

• Date: November 7
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
• Game attendance: 62,812
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 9: Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns	0	0	0	7	7
Chiefs	3	10	0	0	13

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: November 14
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C)
• Game attendance: 50,388
• Referee: Bernie Ulman
• TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 10: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	3	0	0	7	10
Chiefs	14	7	7	0	28

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: November 21
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 44 °F (7 °C)
• Game attendance: 49,945
• Referee: John McDonough
• TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and George Ratterman
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs at Detroit Lions – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	7	7	7	21
Lions	0	17	12	3	32

at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

• Date: November 25
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 29 °F (−2 °C)
• Game attendance: 54,418
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Al DeRogatis
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 12: Kansas City Chiefs at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	16	7	3	26
49ers	3	7	0	7	17

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

• Date: December 6
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. PST
• Game weather: 53 °F (12 °C)
• Game attendance: 45,306
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Don Meredith and Howard Cosell
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 13: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	0	7	0	7	14
Chiefs	7	6	7	3	23

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: December 12
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 38 °F (3 °C)
• Game attendance: 51,215
• Referee: Fred Swearingen
• TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Al De Rogatis
• Recap

Game information

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

Week 14: Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	3	6	0	0	9
Chiefs	3	6	10	3	22

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: December 19
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 44 °F (7 °C)
• Game attendance: 48,121
• Referee: Bob Frederic
• TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and George Ratterman
• Recap

Game information

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

AFC West
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Kansas City Chiefs	10	3	1	.769	4–1–1	8–2–1	302	208	W3
Oakland Raiders	8	4	2	.667	4–1–1	7–3–1	344	278	W1
San Diego Chargers	6	8	0	.429	2–4	4–7	311	341	L1
Denver Broncos	4	9	1	.308	1–5	3–6–1	203	275	L2

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Postseason

Main article: 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

AFC Divisional Playoffs: Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	2OT	Total
Dolphins	0	10	7	7	0	3	27
Chiefs	10	0	7	7	0	0	24

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: December 25
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C)
• Game attendance: 45,822
• Referee: John McDonough
• TV announcers (NBC): Curt Gowdy and Al De Rogatis
• Recap

Game information

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

External links

• 1971 Kansas City Chiefs on Database Football