1971 San Diego Chargers season

NFL team season

1971 San Diego Chargers season
OwnerEugene V. Klein
General managerHarland Svare
Head coachSid Gillman (games 1-10)
Harland Svare (games 11-14)
Home fieldSan Diego Stadium
Results
Record6–8
Division place3rd AFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro Bowlers
  • WR Gary Garrison
  • G Walt Sweeney
AP All-ProsNone[2]

The 1971 San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's second season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 12th overall. The team improved on their 5–6–3 record in 1970. It was Harland Svare's first season as the team's head coach. After a 1–4 start, the Chargers would slightly improve, winning 3 of their next 4 games. However, they would lose 3 of their final 5 games en route to a 6-8 finish. The only bright spot was quarterback John Hadl who completed 233 passes out of 431 attempts for 3,075 yards and 21 touchdowns and won the NFL Man of the Year award as well as leading the league in both passing yards and touchdown passes.

Offseason

NFL draft

1971 San Diego Chargers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 13 Leon Burns  Running back Long Beach State
3 65 Mike Montgomery  Running back Kansas State
5 115 Bryant Salter  Safety Pittsburgh
5 117 Ray White  Linebacker Syracuse
5 119 Phil Asack  Defensive end Duke
6 143 Jacob Mayes  Running back Tennessee State
7 169 Chuck Dicus  Wide receiver Arkansas
8 195 Leon Van Gorkum  Defensive end San Diego State
9 221 John Tanner  Linebacker Tennessee Tech
10 247 Gary Nowak  Linebacker Michigan State
11 273 Don Pinson  Defensive back Tennessee State
12 299 Wes Garnett  Wide receiver Utah State
13 325 Sammy Milner  Wide receiver Mississippi State
14 351 Edward O'Daniel  Defensive end Texas Southern
15 377 Eric Humston  Linebacker Muskingum
16 403 Ed Foote  Center Hawaii
17 429 Chip Kell  Center Tennessee
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

1971 San Diego Chargers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • 64 Phil Asack DE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 65 Sam Gruneisen C (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 19 Kansas City Chiefs W 21–14 1–0 San Diego Stadium 54,061 Recap
2 September 26 Oakland Raiders L 0–34 1–1 San Diego Stadium 54,084 Recap
3 October 3 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–21 1–2 Three Rivers Stadium 44,339 Recap
4 October 10 at Kansas City Chiefs L 10–31 1–3 Municipal Stadium 50,514 Recap
5 October 17 at Denver Broncos L 16–20 1–4 Mile High Stadium 51,200 Recap
6 October 23 Buffalo Bills W 20–3 2–4 San Diego Stadium 49,261 Recap
7 October 31 New York Jets W 49–21 3–4 San Diego Stadium 44,786 Recap
8 November 7 at New York Giants L 17–35 3–5 Yankee Stadium 62,905 Recap
9 November 15 St. Louis Cardinals W 20–17 4–5 San Diego Stadium 46,486 Recap
10 November 21 at Oakland Raiders L 33–34 4–6 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 54,681 Recap
11 November 28 at Cincinnati Bengals L 0–31 4–7 Riverfront Stadium 59,580 Recap
12 December 5 Minnesota Vikings W 30–14 5–7 San Diego Stadium 54,505 Recap
13 December 12 Denver Broncos W 45–17 6–7 San Diego Stadium 44,347 Recap
14 December 19 at Houston Oilers L 33–49 6–8 Houston Astrodome 35,959 Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week One: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 7 7 0014
Chargers 0 0 71421

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: September 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 73 °F (22.8 °C), relative humidity 74%, wind 12 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,061
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • KAN – Ed Podolak 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 14:10. Chiefs 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:12.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Mike Montgomery 39-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 4:04. Chiefs 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 81 yards, 2:56.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Jerry LeVias 37-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:34. Tied 14–14. Drive: 5 plays, 67 yards, 1:01.
  • SDG – Mike Garrett 26-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:20. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:17.

Top passers

  • KAN – Len Dawson – 11/22, 152 yards, 2 INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 17/37, 260 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • KAN – Ed Podolak – 17 rushes, 65 yards, TD
  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 15 rushes, 59 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • KAN – Otis Taylor – 3 receptions, 76 yards
  • SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 72 yards

Week 2: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Two: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 3 3 141434
Chargers 0 0 000

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: September 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 57%, wind 11 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,084
  • Referee: Jack Vest
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 37-yard field goal, 4:26. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:29.

Second quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 42-yard field goal, 5:01. Raiders 6–0. Drive: 7 plays, 27 yards, 2:37.

Third quarter

  • OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 36-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 7:55. Raiders 13–0. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 4:48.
  • OAK – Clarence Davis 2-yard run (George Blanda kick), 0:10. Raiders 20–0. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:44.

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Fred Biletnikoff 13-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 4:27. Raiders 27–0. Drive: 9 plays, 84 yards, 4:32.
  • OAK – Ken Stabler 1-yard run (George Blanda kick), 0:21. Raiders 34–0. Drive: 5 plays, 52 yards, 2:10.

Top passers

  • OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 11/17, 162 yards, 2 TD
  • SDG – John Hadl – 14/29, 174 yards, 5 INT

Top rushers

  • OAK – Clarence Davis – 9 rushes, 75 yards, TD
  • SDG – Jeff Queen – 9 rushes, 31 yards

Top receivers

  • OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 5 receptions, 93 yards, 2 TD
  • SDG – Billy Parks – 5 receptions, 70 yards

Week 3: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Three: San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 7 7017
Steelers 7 0 7721

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 3
  • Game time: 1:10 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 68 °F (20.0 °C), relative humidity 82%, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,339
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 21-yard field goal, 6:26. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards.
  • PIT – John Fuqua 5-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 4:15. Steelers 7–3. Drive: 1 play, 5 yards.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Billy Parks 16-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 4:19. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 7:02.

Third quarter

  • PIT – John Fuqua 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 8:47. Steelers 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 22 yards, 1:31.
  • SDG – Mike Garrett 4-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 2:09. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:38.

Fourth quarter

  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 5-yard run (Roy Gerela kick), 12:02. Steelers 21–17. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 5:07.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 25/36, 283 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 15/24, 175 yards

Top rushers

  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 12 rushes, 72 yards, TD
  • PIT – John Fuqua – 15 rushes, 60 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Billy Parks – 8 receptions, 111 yards, TD
  • PIT – John Fuqua – 5 receptions, 53 yards

Week 4: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Four: San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 7 0010
Chiefs 0 10 71431

at Municipal Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: October 10
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), relative humidity 53%, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 50,514
  • Referee: Jack Reader
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 43-yard field goal, 9:58. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 6 plays, 29 yards.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Mike Garrett 3-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 14:15. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards.
  • KAN – Jim Otis 3-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 6:24. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 58 yards.
  • KAN – Jan Stenerud 29-yard field goal, 1:13. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 1:52.

Third quarter

  • KAN – Otis Taylor 3-yard pass from Len Dawson (Jan Stenerud kick), 4:23. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:23.

Fourth quarter

  • KAN – Warren McVea 15-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 11:15. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:24.
  • KAN – Ed Podolak 7-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 0:16. Chargers 31–10. Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 8:28.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 12/23, 125 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • KAN – Len Dawson – 16/23, 188 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 7 rushes, 44 yards
  • KAN – Wendell Hayes – 11 rushes, 80 yards

Top receivers

  • SDG – Billy Parks – 2 receptions, 36 yards
    SDG – Gary Garrison – 1 reception, 36 yards
  • KAN – Otis Taylor – 6 receptions, 97 yards, TD

Week 5: at Denver Broncos

Week Five: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 3 3 7316
Broncos 7 13 0020

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: October 17
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10.0 °C), relative humidity 90%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 51,200
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • DEN – Bobby Anderson 1-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 11:58. Broncos 7–0. Drive: 2 plays, 3 yards.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 41-yard field goal, 9:15. Broncos 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 2:43.

Second quarter

  • DEN – Jim Turner 49-yard field goal, 14:55. Broncos 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 5:07.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 20-yard field goal, 11:20. Broncos 10–6. Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 3:35.
  • DEN – Floyd Little 2-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 3:54. Broncos 17–6. Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 7:26.
  • DEN – Jim Turner 10-yard field goal, 0:18. Broncos 20–6. Drive: 7 plays, 18 yards, 0:39.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Gary Garrison 21-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:53. Broncos 20–13. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 35-yard field goal, 13:48. Broncos 20–16. Drive: 5 plays, -2 yards, 1:19.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 18/44, 236 yards, TD, INT
  • DEN – Don Horn – 7/17, 71 yards, INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – Billy Parks – 1 rush, 54 yards
  • DEN – Bobby Anderson – 25 rushes, 106 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Gary Garrison – 4 receptions, 105 yards, TD
  • DEN – Bobby Anderson – 3 receptions, 43 yards

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Six: Buffalo Bills at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 0 0 303
Chargers 7 3 3720

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 64 °F (17.8 °C), relative humidity 78%, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 49,261
  • Referee: Bernie Ulman
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 9-yard field goal, 4:13. Chargers 10–0. Drive: 15 plays, 70 yards, 7:28.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Grant Guthrie 36-yard field goal, 9:31. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:27.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 10-yard field goal, 6:31. Chargers 13–3. Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 3:00.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Billy Parks 12-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 2:27. Chargers 20–3. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 3:14.

Top passers

  • BUF – James Harris – 4/8, 36 yards, INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 14/28, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 7: vs. New York Jets

Week Seven: New York Jets at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets 7 7 7021
Chargers 0 21 72149

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: October 31
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (13.9 °C), relative humidity 54%, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,786
  • Referee: Fred Wyant
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SDG – John Hadl 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 10:32. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 93 yards, 6:09.
  • NYJ – John Riggins 31-yard pass from Bob Davis (Bobby Howfield kick), 5:59. Jets 14–7. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 4:33.
  • SDG – Mike Montgomery 37-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 2:45. Tied 14–14. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:32.
  • SDG – Billy Parks 17-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 0:26. Chargers 21–14. Drive: 4 plays, 34 yards, 0:24.

Third quarter

  • NYJ – Emerson Boozer 6-yard run (Ralph Baker pass from Bob Davis), 12:52. Tied 21–21. Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 1:35.
  • SDG – Gary Garrison 49-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:44. Chargers 28–21. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:08.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Mike Montgomery 13-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 10:57. Chargers 35–21. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 1:52.
  • SDG – Pettis Norman 21-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 9:10. Chargers 42–21. Drive: 2 plays, 21 yards, 0:17.
  • SDG – Chris Fletcher 36-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick), 3:30. Chargers 49–21.

Top passers

  • NYJ – Bob Davis – 8/18, 83 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 19/27, 358 yards, 4 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • NYJ – John Riggins – 10 rushes, 63 yards
  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 9 rushes, 55 yards

Top receivers

  • NYJ – Rich Caster – 4 receptions, 53 yards, TD
  • SDG – Gary Garrison – 6 receptions, 162 yards, TD

Week 8: at New York Giants

Week Eight: San Diego Chargers at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 3 14017
Giants 7 14 01435

at Yankee Stadium, New York, New York

  • Date: November 7
  • Game time: 1:07 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 53 °F (11.7 °C), relative humidity 69%, wind 19 mph
  • Game attendance: 62,905
  • Referee: Norm Schachter
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • NYG – Ron Johnson 1-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 0:47. Giants 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 65 yards, 8:09.

Second quarter

  • NYG – Charlie Evans 9-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 9:54. Giants 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 63 yards, 3:44.
  • NYG – Rich Kotite 43-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton (Pete Gogolak kick), 1:10. Giants 21–0. Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:34.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 28-yard field goal, 0:02. Giants 21–3. Drive: 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:08.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Gary Garrison 7-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 7:14. Giants 21–10. Drive: 13 plays, 74 yards, 6:31.
  • SDG – Gary Garrison 21-yard pass from Mike Montgomery (Dennis Partee kick), 4:02. Giants 21–17. Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 1:10.

Fourth quarter

  • NYG – Charlie Evans 1-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 14:58. Giants 28–17. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 4:04.
  • NYG – Charlie Evans 1-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick), 0:55. Giants 35–17. Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 4:24.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 16/31, 194 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • NYG – Fran Tarkenton – 16/20, 83 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 6 rushes, 45 yards
  • NYG – Ron Johnson – 12 rushes, 67 yards, TD

Top receivers

Week 9: vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Week Nine: St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 7 3 0717
Chargers 0 3 71020

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 57 °F (13.9 °C), relative humidity 66%, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 46,486
  • Referee: John McDonough
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • STL – Jim McFarland 3-yard pass from Jim Hart (Jim Bakken kick), 2:49. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:36.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 25-yard field goal, 13:36. Cardinals 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:11.
  • STL – Jim Bakken 13-yard field goal, 0:30. Cardinals 10–3. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 4:28.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Jeff Queen 4-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:32. Tied 10–10. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 4:52.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Jeff Queen 4-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:16. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 5:36.
  • STL – Cid Edwards 1-yard run (Jim Bakken kick), 0:17. Tied 17–17. Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 1:08.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 45-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 20–17. Drive: 3 plays, 16 yards, 0:16.

Top passers

  • STL – Jim Hart – 17/35, 214 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 20/28, 216 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • STL – John Gilliam – 5 receptions, 76 yards
  • SDG – Mike Montgomery – 6 receptions, 77 yards

Week 10: at Oakland Raiders

Week Ten: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 10 14 0933
Raiders 3 7 141034

at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 50 °F (10.0 °C), relative humidity 65%, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,681
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 34-yard field goal, 7:42. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 51 yards, 7:18.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 14-yard field goal, 2:01. Tied 3–3. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 5:41.
  • SDG – Jeff Queen 2-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 0:09. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 14 yards, 1:39.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Mike Garrett 11-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 5:43. Chargers 17–3. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:53.
  • OAK – Raymond Chester 16-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 4:48. Chargers 17–10. Drive: 3 plays, 61 yards, 0:55.
  • SDG – Mike Garrett 18-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 1:10. Chargers 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:38.

Third quarter

  • OAK – Raymond Chester 13-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 11:37. Chargers 24–17. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 2:02.
  • OAK – Pete Banaszak 2-yard run (George Blanda kick), 2:10. Tied 24–24. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:52.

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – George Blanda 40-yard field goal, 11:05. Raiders 27–24. Drive: 9 plays, 28 yards, 3:55.
  • OAK – Rod Sherman 32-yard pass from Daryle Lamonica (George Blanda kick), 6:49. Raiders 34–24. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 3:29.
  • SDG – Walker Gillette 15-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 3:08. Raiders 34–31. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 3:30.
  • SDG – Safety, Ray White tackled Jerry DePoyster in end zone, 0:00. Raiders 34–33.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 20/36, 321 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • OAK – Daryle Lamonica – 16/26, 190 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 13 rushes, 63 yards, TD
  • OAK – Pete Banaszak – 10 rushes, 50 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 4 receptions, 81 yards, TD
  • OAK – Fred Biletnikoff – 7 receptions, 80 yards

Week 11: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Eleven: San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 0 000
Bengals 7 14 7331

at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: November 28
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 36 °F (2.2 °C), relative humidity 80%, wind 10 mph, wind chill 29
  • Game attendance: 59,580
  • Referee: Bob Frederic
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CIN – Bob Trumpy 10-yard pass from Virgil Carter (Horst Muhlmann kick), 11:57. Bengals 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:05.
  • CIN – Al Beauchamp 18-yard interception return (Horst Muhlmann kick), 3:42. Bengals 21–0.

Third quarter

  • CIN – Fred Willis 3-yard run (Horst Muhlmann kick), 1:59. Bengals 28–0. Drive: 17 plays, 86 yards, 9:21.

Fourth quarter

  • CIN – Horst Muhlmann 40-yard field goal, 13:06. Bengals 31–0. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:22.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 5/18, 49 yards, 4 INT
  • CIN – Virgil Carter – 19/24, 174 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – Mike Montgomery – 7 rushes, 30 yards
  • CIN – Fred Willis – 2 rushes, 90 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week Twelve: Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 7 0014
Chargers 7 3 02030

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 55 °F (12.8 °C), relative humidity 45%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,505
  • Referee: Jack Reader
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 12-yard field goal, 8:57. Chargers 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 4:37.
  • MIN – Clint Jones 1-yard run (Fred Cox kick), 6:31. Vikings 14–10. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 2:26.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Mike Garrett 5-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 13:14. Chargers 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 2:52.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 43-yard field goal, 2:35. Chargers 20–14. Drive: 5 plays, 30 yards, 2:51.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 22-yard field goal, 1:27. Chargers 23–14. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 0:39.
  • SDG – Pete Barnes 36-yard interception return (Dennis Partee kick), 0:58. Chargers 30–14.

Top passers

  • MIN – Bob Lee – 8/20, 122 yards, INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 20/29, 165 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • MIN – Clint Jones – 26 rushes, 96 yards, TD
  • SDG – Jerry LeVias – 2 rushes, 61 yards

Top receivers

  • MIN – Bill Brown – 3 receptions, 61 yards
  • SDG – Jerry LeVias – 7 receptions, 56 yards

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Thirteen: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 3 7717
Chargers 7 7 141745

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: December 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 51 °F (10.6 °C), relative humidity 52%, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,347
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • DEN – Jim Turner 13-yard field goal, 10:13. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 57 yards, 3:53.
  • SDG – Chuck Dicus 13-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 5:08. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 5:05.

Third quarter

  • SDG – Gary Garrison 77-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 13:33. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 2 plays, 72 yards, 1:27.
  • SDG – Jeff Queen 2-yard pass from John Hadl (Dennis Partee kick), 5:33. Chargers 28–3. Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 5:51.
  • DEN – Floyd Little 12-yard run (Jim Turner kick), 1:01. Chargers 28–10. Drive: 1 play, 24 yards, 0:18.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 9-yard field goal, 10:15. Chargers 31–10. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:46.
  • DEN – Fran Lynch 40-yard pass from Steve Ramsey (Jim Turner kick), 7:56. Chargers 31–17. Drive: 4 plays, 82 yards, 2:19.
  • SDG – Mike Garrett 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 4:52. Chargers 38–17. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 3:04.
  • SDG – Walker Gillette 25-yard pass from Marty Domres (Dennis Partee kick), 1:54. Chargers 45–17. Drive: 6 plays, 60 yards, 1:44.

Top passers

  • DEN – Steve Ramsey – 10/25, 169 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • SDG – John Hadl – 21/36, 332 yards, 4 TD

Top rushers

  • DEN – Floyd Little – 18 rushes, 96 yards, TD
  • SDG – Mike Garrett – 15 rushes, 62 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • DEN – Billy Masters – 4 receptions, 43 yards
  • SDG – Jerry LeVias – 6 receptions, 83 yards

Week 14: at Houston Oilers

Week Fourteen: San Diego Chargers at Houston Oilers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 23 7333
Oilers 0 7 281449

at Astrodome, Houston, Texas

  • Date: November 28
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: N/A (game played indoors)
  • Game attendance: 35,959
  • Box score
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

  • SDG – Jeff Queen 4-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 11:57. Chargers 7–0.
  • SDG – Dennis Partee 50-yard field goal, 11:57. Chargers 10–0.
  • HOU – Charlie Joiner 14-yard pass from Woody Campbell (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Chargers 10–7.
  • SDG – Jeff Queen 5-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 11:57. Chargers 17–7.
  • SDG – Bob Babich 27-yard defensive fumble returnn (kick failed), 11:57. Chargers 23–7.

Third quarter

  • HOU – Robert Holmes 1-yard run (Mark Moseley kick), 1:59. Chargers 23–14.
  • SDG – Leon River 1-yard run (Dennis Partee kick), 1:59. Chargers 30–14.
  • HOU – Ken Burrough 62-yard pass from Dan Pastorini (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Chargers 30–21.
  • HOU – Ken Houston 35-yard interception return (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Chargers 30–28.
  • HOU – Ken Houston 29-yard interception return (Mark Moseley kick), 3:42. Houston 35–30.

Fourth quarter

  • SDG – Dennis Partee 20-yard field goal, 11:57. Houston 35–33.
  • HOU – Robert Holmes 2-yard run (Mark Moseley kick), 1:59. Houston 42–33.
  • HOU – Bob Atkins 25-yard interception return (Mark Moseley kick), 1:59. Houston 49–33.

Top passers

  • SDG – John Hadl – 12/29, 147 yards, 3 INT
  • HOU – Dan Pastorini – 14/22, 212 yards, TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

  • SDG – Jeff Queen – 13 rushes, 53 yards, 2 TD
  • HOU – Robert Holmes – 16 rushes, 92 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • SDG – Jerry LeVias – 5 receptions, 68 yards
  • HOU – Ken Burrough – 4 receptions, 122 yards, TD

Standings

AFC West
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 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.

References

  1. ^ "1971 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  2. ^ "1971 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
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