| 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.[1]
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.[2]
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.
- ^ "Dolphins under KC's tree". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. December 20, 1971. p. 24.
- ^ "Dallas, Miami playoff winners". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. December 26, 1971. p. D1.