1971 San Diego Chargers season

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.

1971 San Diego Chargers season
Head coach	Harland Svare
General manager	Harland Svare
Owner	Eugene V. Klein
Home field	San Diego Stadium
Results
Record	6–8
Division place	3rd AFC West
Playoff finish	Did not qualify

Roster

1971 San Diego Chargers final roster

	Quarterbacks 14 Marty Domres 21 John Hadl Running backs 38 Leon Burns 20 Mike Garrett 23 Mike Montgomery 22 Dickie Post 47 Jeff Queen FB 36 Eddie Ray Wide receivers 28 Chuck Dicus 27 Gary Garrison 84 Walker Gillette 25 Jerry LeVias 32 Billy Parks Tight ends 88 Pettis Norman 89 Art Strozier		Offensive linemen 69 Ira Gordon G 58 Harris Jones G 55 Carl Mauck C 76 Terry Owens T 57 Jack Porter C 78 Walt Sweeney G 70 Russ Washington T 63 Doug Wilkerson G Defensive linemen 82 Steve DeLong DE 77 Ron East DT 86 Wes Grant DE 80 Kevin Hardy DT 75 Gary Nowak DT 79 Andy Rice DE 85 John Tanner DE/TE 73 Lee Thomas DE 87 Tom Williams DE		Linebackers 60 Bob Babich 59 Pete Barnes 56 Bob Bruggers 66 Rick Redman 53 Mel Rogers 81 Jeff Staggs 55 Ray White Defensive backs 40 Joe Beauchamp CB 35 Chuck Detwiler 44 Chris Fletcher FS 39 Jim Hill SS 24 Bob Howard CB 30 Bryant Salter SS 43 Jim Tolbert SS Special teams 29 Dennis Partee K/P		Reserve lists 65 Sam Gruneisen C (IR) Practice squad Rookies in italics active, inactive, practice squad

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Attendance
1	September 19, 1971	Kansas City Chiefs	W 21–14	54,061
2	September 26, 1971	Oakland Raiders	L 34–0	54,084
3	October 3, 1971	at Pittsburgh Steelers	L 21–17	44,339
4	October 10, 1971	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 31–10	50,514
5	October 17, 1971	at Denver Broncos	L 20–16	51,200
6	October 23, 1971	Buffalo Bills	W 20–3	49,261
7	October 31, 1971	New York Jets	W 49–21	44,786
8	November 7, 1971	at New York Giants	L 35–17	62,905
9	November 15, 1971	St. Louis Cardinals	W 20–17	46,486
10	November 21, 1971	at Oakland Raiders	L 34–33	54,681
11	November 28, 1971	at Cincinnati Bengals	L 31–0	59,580
12	December 5, 1971	Minnesota Vikings	W 30–14	54,505
13	December 12, 1971	Denver Broncos	W 45–17	44,347
14	December 19, 1971	at Houston Oilers	L 49–33	35,959

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.

References