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{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Refimprove|date=January 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL season
{{Infobox NFL team season
| team = Chicago Bears
| team = Chicago Bears
| year = 1971
| year = 1971
Line 8: Line 9:
|owner = [[George Halas]]
|owner = [[George Halas]]
| stadium = [[Soldier Field]]
| stadium = [[Soldier Field]]
| playoffs = ''did not qualify''
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| shortnavlink = Bears seasons
| shortnavlink = Bears seasons
}}
}}
The '''1971 [[Chicago Bears]] season''' was their 52nd [[Regular Season (NFL)|regular season]] completed in the [[National Football League]]. The club posted a 6–8 record, another below .500 showing, eventually costing head coach [[Jim Dooley]] his job. This was their 1st season at [[Soldier Field]].
The '''1971 [[Chicago Bears]] season''' was their 52nd [[Regular Season (NFL)|regular season]] completed in the [[National Football League]]. The team finished with a 6–8 record, another below .500 showing, eventually costing head coach [[Jim Dooley]] his job. This was their 1st season at [[Soldier Field]].


==Offseason==
==Offseason==


===NFL Draft===
===NFL draft===
{{main|1971 NFL Draft}}
{{main article|1971 NFL draft}}
{{NFL team draft start
{| class="wikitable sortable sortable"
| year = 1971
! style=" background:#03182f;color:#df6108;" width="7%"| Round
| teamname = Chicago Bears
! style=" background:#03182f;color:#df6108;" width="7%"| Pick
}}
! style=" background:#03182f;color:#df6108;" width="20%"| Player
{{NFL team draft entry
! style=" background:#03182f;color:#df6108;" width="15%"| Position
| round = 1
! style=" background:#03182f;color:#df6108;" width="20%"| School/Club Team
| pick = 11
|-
| player = [[Joe Moore (running back)|Joe Moore]]
|}
| position = [[Running back]]
| college = [[Missouri Tigers football|Missouri]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 2
| pick = 28
| player = [[Jim Harrison (American football)|Jim Harrison]]
| position = Running back
| college = Missouri
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 2
| pick = 36
| player = [[Charlie Ford (American football)|Charlie Ford]]
| position = [[Cornerback]]
| college = [[Houston Cougars football|Houston]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 3
| pick = 64
| player = [[Tony McGee (defensive lineman)|Tony McGee]]
| position = [[Defensive end]]
| college = [[Bishop College|Bishop]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 3
| pick = 71
| player = [[Bob Newton (American football)|Bob Newton]]
| position = [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|Tackle]]
| college = [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football|Nebraska]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 4
| pick = 89
| player = [[Jerry Moore (American football, born 1949)|Jerry Moore]]
| position = [[Safety (gridiron football position)|Safety]]
| college = [[Arkansas Razorbacks football|Arkansas]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 6
| pick = 135
| player = [[Earl Thomas (wide receiver)|Earl Thomas]]
| position = [[Wide receiver]]
| college = Houston
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 7
| pick = 167
| player = Buddy Lee
| position = [[Quarterback]]
| college = [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 7
| pick = 176
| player = Dennis Ferris
| position = [[Running back]]
| college = [[Pittsburgh Panthers football|Pittsburgh]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 8
| pick = 192
| player = Karl Weiss
| position = Tackle
| college = [[Vanderbilt Commodores football|Vanderbilt]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 9
| pick = 220
| player = [[Lester McClain]]
| position = Wide receiver
| college = [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 10
| pick = 245
| player = [[Larry Rowden]]
| position = [[Linebacker]]
| college = Houston
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 11
| pick = 270
| player = [[Cliff Hardy]]
| position = Cornerback
| college = [[Michigan State Spartans football|Michigan State]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 12
| pick = 298
| player = [[Steve Booras]]
| position = Defensive end
| college = [[Colorado Mesa Mavericks football|Mesa C. C.]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 13
| pick = 323
| player = Ed Nicholas
| position = Tackle
| college = [[NC State Wolfpack football|N. C. State]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 14
| pick = 347
| player = Willie Lewis
| position = Running back
| college = [[Arizona Wildcats football|Arizona]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 15
| pick = 376
| player = Ron Maciejowski
| position = [[Quarterback]]
| college = [[Ohio State Buckeyes football|Ohio State]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 16
| pick = 401
| player = Sid Bailey
| position = Defensive end
| college = [[Texas–Arlington Mavericks football|Texas–Arlington]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 17
| pick = 426
| player = Ray Garganes
| position = Linebacker
| college = [[Millersville Marauders football|Millersville]]
| notes =
| probowl =
| maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft end
| hof = no
}}


==Roster==
==Roster==
Line 45: Line 235:
{{NFLplayer|22|Cyril Pinder}}
{{NFLplayer|22|Cyril Pinder}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Don Shy}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Don Shy}}
{{NFLplayer|34|Bill Tucker}}
{{NFLplayer|34|Bill Tucker|d=American football}}


|Wide Receivers=
|Wide Receivers=
Line 55: Line 245:
|Tight Ends=
|Tight Ends=
{{NFLplayer|82|Earl Thomas|d=wide receiver|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|82|Earl Thomas|d=wide receiver|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Bob Wallace}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Bob Wallace|d=American football}}


|Offensive Linemen=
|Offensive Linemen=
Line 61: Line 251:
{{NFLplayer|70|Jeff Curchin|T}}
{{NFLplayer|70|Jeff Curchin|T}}
{{NFLplayer|52|Rich Coady|d=center|C}}
{{NFLplayer|52|Rich Coady|d=center|C}}
{{NFLplayer|50|Gene Hamlin|C}}
{{NFLplayer|61|Glen Holloway|G}}
{{NFLplayer|61|Glen Holloway|G}}
{{NFLplayer|65|Randy Jackson|d=offensive lineman|T}}
{{NFLplayer|65|Randy Jackson|d=offensive lineman|T}}
Line 67: Line 258:


|Defensive Linemen=
|Defensive Linemen=
{{NFLplayer|75|Dave Hale|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|79|John Hoffman|d=defensive end|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|85|Willie Holman|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|85|Willie Holman|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|71|Tony McGee|rookie=y|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|71|Tony McGee|d=defensive lineman|rookie=y|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|87|Ed O'Bradovich|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|87|Ed O'Bradovich|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|67|George Seals|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|67|George Seals|DT}}
Line 78: Line 271:
{{NFLplayer|51|Dick Butkus}}
{{NFLplayer|51|Dick Butkus}}
{{NFLplayer|30|Jimmy Gunn}}
{{NFLplayer|30|Jimmy Gunn}}
{{NFLplayer|53|Larry Rowden|rookie=y}}


|Defensive Backs=
|Defensive Backs=
{{NFLplayer|32|Charlie Ford|rookie=y|d=American football|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|32|Charlie Ford|rookie=y|d=American football|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|18|Jerry Moore|d=American football, born 1949|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|17|Cliff Hardy|rookie=y|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|29|Bob Jeter|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|18|Jerry Moore|d=American football, born 1949|rookie=y|S}}
{{NFLplayer|44|Garry Lyle|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|44|Garry Lyle|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|48|Ron Smith|d=defensive back|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|48|Ron Smith|d=defensive back|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|20|Joe Taylor|d=American football|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|20|Joe Taylor|d=cornerback|CB}}


|Special Teams=
|Special Teams=
Line 90: Line 286:
{{NFLplayer|83|Mac Percival|K}}
{{NFLplayer|83|Mac Percival|K}}


|Reserve Lists =
| reserve_lists =
{{NFLplayer|46|Craig Baynham|RB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|40|Gale Sayers|RB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|40|Gale Sayers|RB|IR}}


|Practice Squad =
| practice_squad =
{{NFLplayer|--|Leo Johnson|d=American football|WR}}
}}
}}


==Schedule==
==Schedule==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1971|border=2}}"| Week
! Week
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1971|border=2}}"| Date
! Date
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1971|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1971|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1971|border=2}}"| Record
! Attendance
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1971|border=2}}"| Venue
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1971|border=2}}"| Attendance
| 1
|-style="background:#cfc"
| September 19, 1971
! 1
| [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| September 19
| W 17–15
| [[1971 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| <center>55,049</center>
| '''W''' 17–15
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 2
| 1–0
| [[Soldier Field]]
| September 26, 1971
| 55,049
| at [[Minnesota Vikings]]
|-style="background:#cfc"
| W 20–17
! 2
| <center>47,900</center>
| September 26
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| at '''[[1971 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]'''
| 3
| '''W''' 20–17
| October 3, 1971
| 2–0
| at [[Los Angeles Rams]]
| [[Metropolitan Stadium]]
| L 17–3
| 47,900
| <center>66,957</center>
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 4
! 3
| October 10, 1971
| October 3
| at [[1971 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]
| [[New Orleans Saints]]
| '''L''' 3–17
| W 35–14
| 2–1
| <center>55,049</center>
| [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 5
| 66,957
|-style="background:#cfc"
| October 17, 1971
! 4
| at [[San Francisco 49ers]]
| October 10
| L 13–0
| [[1971 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]
| <center>44,000</center>
| '''W''' 35–14
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 6
| 3–1
| Soldier Field
| October 24, 1971
| 55,049
| at [[Detroit Lions]]
|-style="background:#fcc"
| W 28–23
! 5
| <center>54,418</center>
| October 17
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| at [[1971 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]
| 7
| '''L''' 0–13
| October 31, 1971
| 3–2
| [[Dallas Cowboys]]
| [[Candlestick Park]]
| W 23–19
| 44,000
| <center>55,049</center>
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#cfc"
| 8
! 6
| October 24
| November 7, 1971
| at '''[[1971 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]'''
| [[Green Bay Packers]]
| '''W''' 28–23
| L 17–14
| 4–2
| <center>55,049</center>
| [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]]
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| 9
| 54,418
|-style="background:#cfc"
| November 14, 1971
! 7
| [[Washington Redskins]]
| October 31
| W 16–15
| [[1971 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]
| <center>55,049</center>
| '''W''' 23–19
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 10
| 5–2
| Soldier Field
| November 21, 1971
| 55,049
| [[Detroit Lions]]
|-style="background:#fcc"
| L 28–3
! 8
| <center>55,049</center>
| November 7
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| '''[[1971 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''
| 11
| '''L''' 14–17
| November 29, 1971
| 5–3
| at [[Miami Dolphins]]
| Soldier Field
| L 34–3
| 55,049
| <center>75,312</center>
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#cfc"
| 12
! 9
| November 14
| December 5, 1971
| [[1971 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]
| at [[Denver Broncos]]
| '''W''' 16–15
| L 6–3
| 6–3
| <center>51,200</center>
| Soldier Field
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 13
| 55,049
|-style="background:#fcc"
| December 12, 1971
! 10
| at [[Green Bay Packers]]
| November 21
| L 31–10
| '''Detroit Lions'''
| <center>56,263</center>
| '''L''' 3–28
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| 14
| 6–4
| Soldier Field
| December 19, 1971
| 55,049
| [[Minnesota Vikings]]
|-style="background:#fcc"
| L 27–10
! 11
| <center>55,049</center>
| {{dow tooltip|November 29, 1971}}
| at [[1971 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]
| '''L''' 3–34
| 6–5
| [[Miami Orange Bowl]]
| 75,312
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 12
| December 5
| at [[1971 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]
| '''L''' 3–6
| 6–6
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| 51,200
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 13
| December 12
| at '''Green Bay Packers'''
| '''L''' 10–31
| 6–7
| [[Lambeau Field]]
| 56,263
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 14
| December 19
| '''Minnesota Vikings'''
| '''L''' 10–27
| 6–8
| Soldier Field
| 55,049
|-style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Chicago Bears|year=1971|border=2}}"
|colspan="8"| '''Note:''' Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text.
|}
|}


Line 193: Line 423:


===Week 1===
===Week 1===
{{See also|1971 Pittsburgh Steelers season}}

{{Americanfootballbox
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg=
|bg2=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Chicago Bears|year=1971|border=2}}; text-align:center
|titlestyle=
|state=collapsed
|state=collapsed
|title=Week One: Pittsburgh Steelers (0–0) at Chicago Bears (0–0)
|title=
|date=Sunday, September 19
|date=September 19, 1971
|time=1:00 p.m.
|time=2:00 p.m.
|road=Steelers
|road=[[Pittsburgh Steelers|Steelers]]
|R1= 0|R2=6 |R3=6 |R4=3
|R1=0 |R2=6 |R3=6 |R4=3
|home='''Bears'''
|home='''[[Chicago Bears|Bears]]'''
|H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=0 |H4=14
|H1=0 |H2=3 |H3=0 |H4=14
|stadium=[[Soldier Field]], [[Chicago, Illinois]]
|stadium=[[Soldier Field]], [[Chicago, Illinois]]
|attendance=
|attendance=55,049
|weather=63°F, wind 12 mph
|weather={{convert|63|F|C}}
|referee=
|referee=[[Bernie Ulman]]
|TV=
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197109190chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197109190chi.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|scoring=
|scoring=
'''Second quarter'''
'''Second quarter'''
*Steelers – [[Preston Pearson]] recovered fumble in end zone (kick failed) – '''Steelers 6–0'''
*PIT – [[Preston Pearson]] fumble recovery in end zone (kick failed). ''Steelers 6–0. '''Drive:'''''
*Bears – [[Mac Percival]] 33-yard field goal – '''Steelers 6–3'''
*CHI – [[Mac Percival]] 33-yard field goal. ''Steelers 6–3. '''Drive:'''''
'''Third quarter'''
'''Third quarter'''
*Steelers – [[Roy Gerela]] 32-yard field goal – '''Steelers 9–3'''
*PIT – [[Roy Gerela]] 32-yard field goal. ''Steelers 9–3. '''Drive:'''''
*Steelers – Roy Gerela 29-yard field goal – '''Steelers 12–3'''
*PIT – Roy Gerela 29-yard field goal. ''Steelers 12–3. '''Drive:'''''
'''Fourth quarter'''
'''Fourth quarter'''
*Steelers – Roy Gerela 42-yard field goal – '''Steelers 15–3'''
*PIT – Roy Gerela 42-yard field goal. ''Steelers 15–3. '''Drive:'''''
*Bears – [[Ross Brupbacher]] 30-yard fumble return (Mac Percival kick) – '''Steelers 15–10'''
*CHI – [[Ross Brupbacher]] 30-yard fumble return (Mac Percival kick). ''Steelers 15–10.''
*Bears – [[George Farmer (wide receiver, born 1948)|George Farmer]] 8-yard pass from [[Kent Nix]] (Mac Percival kick) – '''Bears 17–15'''
*CHI – [[George Farmer (wide receiver, born 1948)|George Farmer]] 8-yard pass from [[Kent Nix]] (Mac Percival kick). ''Bears 17–15. '''Drive:'''''
|stats=
|stats=
;Top passers
'''Steelers'''
*[[Terry Bradshaw]] <br> 10/24, 129 Yds, 4 INT
*PIT – [[Terry Bradshaw]] – 10/24, 129 yards, 4 INT
*CHI – [[Jack Concannon]] – 15/26, 116 yards, INT
*[[John Fuqua]] <br> 17 Rush, 114 Yds
;Top rushers
*[[Ron Shanklin]] <br> 6 Rec, 113 Yds
*PIT – [[John Fuqua]] – 17 rushes, 114 yards

*CHI – [[Don Shy]] – 9 rushes, 19 yards
'''Bears'''
;Top receivers
*[[Jack Concannon]] <br> 15/26, 116 Yds, INT
*[[Don Shy]] <br> 9 Rush, 19 Yds
*PIT – [[Ron Shanklin]] – 6 receptions, 113 yards
*George Farmer <br> 4 Rec, 59 Yds, TD
*CHI – [[George Farmer (wide receiver, born 1948)|George Farmer]] – 4 receptions, 59 yards, TD
}}
}}


Line 246: Line 476:
|Date=September 26
|Date=September 26
|Location=[[Metropolitan Stadium]]
|Location=[[Metropolitan Stadium]]
|StartTime=2:00 p.m.
|StartTime=1:00 p.m.
|TimeZone=EST
|TimeZone=CST
|ElapsedTime=
|ElapsedTime=
|Attendance=
|Attendance=
|Weather=56°F; wind 13
|Weather={{convert|56|F}}; wind {{convert|13|mph|abbr=on}}
|Referee=
|Referee=[[Fred Silva]]
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVAnnouncers=
|TVStation=
|TVStation=
Line 265: Line 495:


*[[Dick Gordon (American football)|Dick Gordon]] 10 Rec, 115 Yds
*[[Dick Gordon (American football)|Dick Gordon]] 10 Rec, 115 Yds
<ref>[http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197109260min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-14.</ref>
<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197109260min.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2015-Dec-14.</ref>

{{Clear}}

===Week 6===
{{See also|1971 Detroit Lions season|Bears–Lions rivalry}}
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Chicago Bears|year=1971|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collapsed
|title=Week Six: Chicago Bears (3–2) at Detroit Lions (4–1)
|date=October 24, 1971
|time=2:00 p.m. [[Eastern Standard Time|EST]]
|road='''[[Chicago Bears|Bears]]'''
|R1=7 |R2=14 |R3=0 |R4=7
|home=[[Detroit Lions|Lions]]
|H1=6 |H2=14 |H3=3 |H4=0
|stadium=[[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]], [[Detroit, Michigan]]
|attendance=54,418
|weather={{convert|60|F|C}}
|referee=[[Jack Reader]]
|TV=<!--Unknown-->
|TVAnnouncers=<!--Unknown-->
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197110240det.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
|scoring=
'''First quarter'''
*DET – [[Errol Mann]] 28-yard field goal. ''Lions 3–0. '''Drive:'''''
*CHI – [[Don Shy]] 21-yard run ([[Mac Percival]] kick). ''Bears 7–3. '''Drive:'''''
*DET – Errol Mann 49-yard field goal. ''Bears 7–6. '''Drive:'''''
'''Second quarter'''
*CHI – [[George Farmer (wide receiver, born 1948)|George Farmer]] 54-yard pass from [[Bobby Douglass]] (Mac Percival kick). ''Bears 14–6. '''Drive:'''''
*DET – [[Ron Jessie]] 102-yard kickoff return (Errol Mann kick). ''Bears 14–13.''
*DET – [[Larry Walton]] 16-yard pass from [[Greg Landry]] (Errol Mann kick). ''Lions 20–14. '''Drive:'''''
*CHI – [[Bob Wallace (American football)|Bob Wallace]] 15-yard pass from Bobby Douglass (Mac Percival kick). ''Bears 21–20. '''Drive:'''''
'''Third quarter'''
*DET – Errol Mann 29-yard field goal. ''Lions 23–21. '''Drive:'''''
'''Fourth quarter'''
*CHI – Bobby Douglass 1-yard run (Mac Percival kick). ''Bears 28–23. '''Drive:'''''
|stats=
;Top passers
*CHI – [[Bobby Douglass]] – 15/21, 160 yards, 2 TD
*DET – [[Greg Landry]] – 11/26, 173 yards, TD, 2 INT
;Top rushers
*CHI – [[Don Shy]] – 18 rushes, 99 yards, TD
*DET – [[Steve Owens (American football)|Steve Owens]] – 16 rushes, 81 yards
;Top receivers
*CHI – [[George Farmer (wide receiver, born 1948)|George Farmer]] – 6 receptions, 95 yards, TD
*DET – [[Altie Taylor]] – 4 receptions, 41 yards
}}


[[Chuck Hughes]] became the first NFL player to die on the field during a game.
{{-}}


==Standings==
==Standings==

Latest revision as of 18:30, 10 November 2024

1971 Chicago Bears season
OwnerGeorge Halas
Head coachJim Dooley
Home fieldSoldier Field
Results
Record6–8
Division place3rd NFC Central
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1971 Chicago Bears season was their 52nd regular season completed in the National Football League. The team finished with a 6–8 record, another below .500 showing, eventually costing head coach Jim Dooley his job. This was their 1st season at Soldier Field.

Offseason

[edit]

NFL draft

[edit]
Main article: 1971 NFL draft
1971 Chicago Bears draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 11 Joe Moore  Running back Missouri
2 28 Jim Harrison  Running back Missouri
2 36 Charlie Ford  Cornerback Houston
3 64 Tony McGee  Defensive end Bishop
3 71 Bob Newton  Tackle Nebraska
4 89 Jerry Moore  Safety Arkansas
6 135 Earl Thomas  Wide receiver Houston
7 167 Buddy Lee  Quarterback LSU
7 176 Dennis Ferris  Running back Pittsburgh
8 192 Karl Weiss  Tackle Vanderbilt
9 220 Lester McClain  Wide receiver Tennessee
10 245 Larry Rowden  Linebacker Houston
11 270 Cliff Hardy  Cornerback Michigan State
12 298 Steve Booras  Defensive end Mesa C. C.
13 323 Ed Nicholas  Tackle N. C. State
14 347 Willie Lewis  Running back Arizona
15 376 Ron Maciejowski  Quarterback Ohio State
16 401 Sid Bailey  Defensive end Texas–Arlington
17 426 Ray Garganes  Linebacker Millersville
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Roster

[edit]
1971 Chicago Bears roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics

Schedule

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 19 Pittsburgh Steelers W 17–15 1–0 Soldier Field 55,049
2 September 26 at Minnesota Vikings W 20–17 2–0 Metropolitan Stadium 47,900
3 October 3 at Los Angeles Rams L 3–17 2–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 66,957
4 October 10 New Orleans Saints W 35–14 3–1 Soldier Field 55,049
5 October 17 at San Francisco 49ers L 0–13 3–2 Candlestick Park 44,000
6 October 24 at Detroit Lions W 28–23 4–2 Tiger Stadium 54,418
7 October 31 Dallas Cowboys W 23–19 5–2 Soldier Field 55,049
8 November 7 Green Bay Packers L 14–17 5–3 Soldier Field 55,049
9 November 14 Washington Redskins W 16–15 6–3 Soldier Field 55,049
10 November 21 Detroit Lions L 3–28 6–4 Soldier Field 55,049
11 November 29 at Miami Dolphins L 3–34 6–5 Miami Orange Bowl 75,312
12 December 5 at Denver Broncos L 3–6 6–6 Mile High Stadium 51,200
13 December 12 at Green Bay Packers L 10–31 6–7 Lambeau Field 56,263
14 December 19 Minnesota Vikings L 10–27 6–8 Soldier Field 55,049
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

[edit]

Week 1

[edit]
See also: 1971 Pittsburgh Steelers season
Week One: Pittsburgh Steelers (0–0) at Chicago Bears (0–0)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 6 6315
Bears 0 3 01417

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 2

[edit]
1 234Total
• Bears 0 0317 20
Vikings 0 7100 17
Scoring summary
Q2MINGrim 4 yard pass from Cuozzo (Cox kick)MIN 7–0
Q3CHIPercival 45 yard field goalMIN 7–3
Q3MINGrim 52 yard pass from Cuozzo (Cox kick)MIN 14–3
Q3MINCox 14 yard field goalMIN 17–3
Q4CHIGordon 36 yard pass from Nix (Percival kick)MIN 17–10
Q4CHIPercival 45 yard field goalMIN 17–13
Q4CHIGordon 19 yard pass from Nix (Percival kick)CHI 20–17

[1]

Week 6

[edit]
See also: 1971 Detroit Lions season and Bears–Lions rivalry
Week Six: Chicago Bears (3–2) at Detroit Lions (4–1)
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 14 0728
Lions 6 14 3023

at Tiger Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

Chuck Hughes became the first NFL player to die on the field during a game.

Standings

[edit]
NFC Central
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Minnesota Vikings 11 3 0 .786 5–1 9–2 245 139 W2
Detroit Lions 7 6 1 .538 2–3–1 3–6–1 341 286 L2
Chicago Bears 6 8 0 .429 2–4 5–6 185 276 L5
Green Bay Packers 4 8 2 .333 2–3–1 2–7–2 274 298 L1
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-Dec-14.


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