1961 Houston Oilers season: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|NFL team season}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}} |
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}} |
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{{Infobox NFL season |
{{Infobox NFL season |
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| logo = 611112-Oilers-Patriots-program.jpg |
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| team = Houston Oilers |
| team = Houston Oilers |
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| year = 1961 |
| year = 1961 |
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| owner = [[Bud Adams]] |
| owner = [[Bud Adams]] |
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| general manager = [[Don Suman]] |
| general manager = [[Don Suman]] |
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| coach = [[ |
| coach = [[Lou Rymkus]] (1–3–1, fired) and<br> [[Wally Lemm]] (9–0) |
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| stadium = [[Jeppesen Stadium]] |
| stadium = [[Jeppesen Stadium]] |
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| playoffs = '''Won |
| playoffs = '''Won [[1961 American Football League Championship Game|AFL Championship]]'''<br>(at [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|Chargers]]) 10–3 |
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| shortnavlink = Oilers seasons |
| shortnavlink = Oilers seasons |
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}} |
}} |
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The Oilers set the AFL record for points scored in 1961, with 513 (36.6 points per game).<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/oOaCL Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points For]</ref> They also set an American Football League record with a +271 point differential, by allowing only 242 points.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/scLSs Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1960 to 1969, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points Differential]</ref> The 1961 Oilers are the only team in AFL or NFL history to score 45 points or more six times in a single season.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/Fqjnh Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, requiring Points For >= 45, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.]</ref> |
The Oilers set the AFL record for points scored in 1961, with 513 (36.6 points per game).<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/oOaCL Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points For]</ref> They also set an American Football League record with a +271 point differential, by allowing only 242 points.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/scLSs Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1960 to 1969, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points Differential]</ref> The 1961 Oilers are the only team in AFL or NFL history to score 45 points or more six times in a single season.<ref>[http://pfref.com/tiny/Fqjnh Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, requiring Points For >= 45, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.]</ref> |
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==Offseason== |
== Offseason == |
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On January 14, end [[Willard Dewveall]] played out his option with the [[1960 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] of the [[National Football League|NFL]] and joined the Oilers.<ref name=cbvdvl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GuJHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rIAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6345%2C1787888|newspaper=Victoria Advocate|location=Texas|agency=Associated Press |title=Chicago Bears veteran Dewveall joins|date=January 14, 1961|page=8}}</ref> He became the first player to move deliberately from one league to another.<ref>''NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book'', Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN|0-7611-2480-2}}, p. 282</ref> Dewveall was the only one to move between leagues for five years, until placekicker [[Pete Gogolak]] moved from the [[1965 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] to the [[1966 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] of the NFL in [[1966 New York Giants season|1966]].<ref name=sofgoglk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C7xaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LFADAAAAIBAJ&pg=2862%2C2718730 |newspaper=Ludington Daily News |location=Michigan |agency=Associated Press |title=Signing of Gogolak could trigger football battle |date=May 18, 1966 |page=12 }}</ref> |
On January 14, end [[Willard Dewveall]] played out his option with the [[1960 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]] of the [[National Football League|NFL]] and joined the Oilers.<ref name=cbvdvl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GuJHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rIAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6345%2C1787888|newspaper=Victoria Advocate|location=Texas|agency=Associated Press |title=Chicago Bears veteran Dewveall joins|date=January 14, 1961|page=8}}</ref> He became the first player to move deliberately from one league to another.<ref>''NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book'', Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, {{ISBN|0-7611-2480-2}}, p. 282</ref> Dewveall was the only one to move between leagues for five years, until placekicker [[Pete Gogolak]] moved from the [[1965 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] to the [[1966 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] of the NFL in [[1966 New York Giants season|1966]].<ref name=sofgoglk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=C7xaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LFADAAAAIBAJ&pg=2862%2C2718730 |newspaper=Ludington Daily News |location=Michigan |agency=Associated Press |title=Signing of Gogolak could trigger football battle |date=May 18, 1966 |page=12 }}</ref> |
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===AFL Draft=== |
=== AFL Draft === |
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{{main article|1961 American Football League draft}} |
{{main article|1961 American Football League draft}} |
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* Houston Oilers draft picks (Selected eighth)<ref>{{Cite web |title=1961 Houston Oilers Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1961_draft.htm |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> |
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* Houston Oilers draft picks (Selected eighth) |
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{| class="wikitable sortable sortable" style="width: 60%" |
{| class="wikitable sortable sortable" style="width: 60%" |
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|- |
|- |
||
!style="background:#A8BDEC;" width=15%| Round !!width=20% style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Player !!width=18% style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Position !!style="background:#A8BDEC;"| College |
!style="background:#A8BDEC;" width=15%| Round !!width=20% style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Player !!width=18% style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Position !!style="background:#A8BDEC;"| College |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|align=center| 1 || <span style="display:none"> |
|align=center| 1 || <span style="display:none">Mike Ditka</span>[[Mike Ditka]] || Offensive End || Pittsburgh |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|align=center| 2 || <span style="display:none">Tom Goode</span>[[Tom Goode]] || Center || Mississippi State |
|align=center| 2 || <span style="display:none">Tom Goode</span>[[Tom Goode (footballer)|Tom Goode]] || Center || Mississippi State |
||
|- |
|- |
||
|align=center| 3 || <span style="display:none">Walter Suggs</span>[[Walter Suggs]] <sup>1</sup> || Tackle || Mississippi State |
|align=center| 3 || <span style="display:none">Walter Suggs</span>[[Walter Suggs]] <sup>1</sup> || Tackle || Mississippi State |
||
Line 36: | Line 38: | ||
|align=center| 4 || <span style="display:none">Bobby Walden</span>[[Bobby Walden]] || Halfback || Georgia |
|align=center| 4 || <span style="display:none">Bobby Walden</span>[[Bobby Walden]] || Halfback || Georgia |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center| 5 || <span style="display:none">Monte Lee</span>[[Monte Lee]] || Linebacker || Texas |
|align=center| 5 || <span style="display:none">Monte Lee</span>[[Monte Lee (American football)|Monte Lee]] || Linebacker || Texas |
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|- |
|- |
||
|align=center| 6 || <span style="display:none">Jake Gibbs</span>[[Jake Gibbs]] || Quarterback || Mississippi |
|align=center| 6 || <span style="display:none">Jake Gibbs</span>[[Jake Gibbs]] || Quarterback || Mississippi |
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Line 44: | Line 46: | ||
|align=center| 8 || <span style="display:none">Houston Antwine</span>[[Houston Antwine]] <sup>1,2</sup> || Guard || Southern Illinois |
|align=center| 8 || <span style="display:none">Houston Antwine</span>[[Houston Antwine]] <sup>1,2</sup> || Guard || Southern Illinois |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center| 9 || <span style="display:none">Ralph White</span>[[Ralph White]] || Tackle || Bowling Green |
|align=center| 9 || <span style="display:none">Ralph White</span>[[Ralph White (American football)|Ralph White]] || Tackle || Bowling Green |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center| 10 || <span style="display:none">Charles Lee</span>Charles Lee || Center || Iowa |
|align=center| 10 || <span style="display:none">Charles Lee</span>Charles Lee || Center || Iowa |
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|align=center| 21 || <span style="display:none">Ron Miller</span>[[Ron Miller (American football)|Ron Miller]] || Quarterback || Wisconsin |
|align=center| 21 || <span style="display:none">Ron Miller</span>[[Ron Miller (American football)|Ron Miller]] || Quarterback || Wisconsin |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center| 22 || <span style="display:none">Bob Kelly</span>[[Bob Kelly (American football)|Bob Kelly]] || Offensive End || New Mexico State |
|align=center| 22 || <span style="display:none">Bob Kelly</span>[[Bob Kelly (American football, born 1938)|Bob Kelly]] || Offensive End || New Mexico State |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center| 23 || <span style="display:none">James Anderson</span>[[James Anderson (fullback)|James Anderson]] || Fullback || Mississippi |
|align=center| 23 || <span style="display:none">James Anderson</span>[[James Anderson (fullback)|James Anderson]] || Fullback || Mississippi |
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|align=center| 28 || <span style="display:none">John Frongillo</span>[[John Frongillo]] || Center || Baylor |
|align=center| 28 || <span style="display:none">John Frongillo</span>[[John Frongillo]] || Center || Baylor |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center| 29 || <span style="display:none">Tom Lewis</span> |
|align=center| 29 || <span style="display:none">Tom Lewis</span>Tom Lewis || Offensive End || Wake Forest |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center| 29 || <span style="display:none"> |
|align=center| 29 || <span style="display:none">Errol Linden</span>[[Errol Linden]] || Defensive end || Houston |
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|- |
|- |
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|align=center| 30 || <span style="display:none"> |
|align=center| 30 || <span style="display:none">Jim Stroud</span>Jim Stroud || Tackle || Rice |
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|- |
|- |
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|} |
|} |
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== |
== Standings == |
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{{Empty section|date=March 2015}} |
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==Standings== |
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{{1961 AFL Eastern standings}} |
{{1961 AFL Eastern standings}} |
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===Season schedule=== |
=== Season schedule === |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
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|- |
|- |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Week |
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! Week |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Date |
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! Date |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Opponent |
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! Opponent |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Result |
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! Result |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Record |
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! Attendance |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Venue |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Attendance |
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| align=center|1 |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Game<br>Recap |
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| September 9, 1961 |
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|- style="background:#cfc" |
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! 1 |
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| September 9 |
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| [[1961 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] |
| [[1961 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] |
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| W 55–0 |
| '''W''' 55–0 |
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| 1–0 |
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| <center>16,231</center> |
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| [[Robertson Stadium|Jeppesen Stadium]] |
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| 16,231 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196109090oti.htm Recap] |
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|- |
|- |
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! 2 |
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| align=center|2 |
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| colspan=" |
| colspan="7" align="center"| ''Bye'' |
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|-style="background: |
|- style="background:#fcc" |
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! 3 |
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| align=center|3 |
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| September 24 |
| September 24 |
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| at [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] |
| at [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] |
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| L |
| '''L''' 24–34 |
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| 1–1 |
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| <center>29,210</center> |
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| [[Balboa Stadium]] |
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|-style="background: #ffdddd;" |
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| 29,210 |
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| align=center|4 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196109240sdg.htm Recap] |
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| October 1, 1961 |
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|- style="background:#fcc" |
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! 4 |
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| October 1 |
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| at [[1961 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texans]] |
| at [[1961 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texans]] |
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| L |
| '''L''' 21–26 |
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| 1–2 |
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| <center>28,000</center> |
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| [[Cotton Bowl (stadium)|Cotton Bowl]] |
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|-style="background: #ffdddd;" |
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| 28,000 |
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| align=center|5 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110010kan.htm Recap] |
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| October 8, 1961 |
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|- style="background:#fcc" |
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| [[1961 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] |
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! 5 |
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| L 22–12 |
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| October 8 |
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| <center>22,761</center> |
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| '''[[1961 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]''' |
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|-style="background: #ffeeaa;" |
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| '''L''' 12–22 |
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| align=center|6 |
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| 1–3 |
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| October 13, 1961 |
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| Jeppesen Stadium |
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| at [[1961 Boston Patriots season|Boston Patriots]] |
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| 22,761 |
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| T 31–31 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110080oti.htm Recap] |
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| <center>15,070</center> |
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|-style="background: |
|- style="background:#ffc" |
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!6 |
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| align=center|7 |
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| October |
| October 13 |
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| at '''[[1961 Boston Patriots season|Boston Patriots]]''' |
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| Dallas Texans |
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| '''T''' 31–31 |
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| W 38–7 |
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| 1–3–1 |
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| <center>21,237</center> |
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| [[Nickerson Field|Boston University Field]] |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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| 15,070 |
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| align=center|8 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110130nwe.htm Recap] |
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| October 29, 1961 |
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|- style="background:#cfc" |
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| at [[1961 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]] |
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! 7 |
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| W 28–16 |
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| October 22 |
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| <center>23,228</center> |
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| [[1961 Dallas Texans season|Dallas Texans]] |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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| '''W''' 38–7 |
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| align=center|9 |
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| 2–3–1 |
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| November 5, 1961 |
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| Jeppesen Stadium |
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| 21,237 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110220oti.htm Recap] |
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|- style="background:#cfc" |
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! 8 |
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| October 29 |
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| at '''[[1961 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]''' |
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| '''W''' 28–16 |
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| 3–3–1 |
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| [[War Memorial Stadium (Buffalo, New York)|War Memorial Stadium]] |
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| 23,228 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196110290buf.htm Recap] |
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|- style="background:#cfc" |
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! 9 |
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| November 5 |
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| at [[1961 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] |
| at [[1961 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] |
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| W 55–14 |
| '''W''' 55–14 |
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| 4–3–1 |
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| <center>11,564</center> |
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| [[Mile High Stadium|Bears Stadium]] |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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| 11,564 |
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| align=center|10 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111050den.htm Recap] |
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| November 12, 1961 |
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|- style="background:#cfc" |
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| Boston Patriots |
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! 10 |
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| W 27–15 |
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| November 12 |
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| <center>35,649</center> |
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| '''[[1961 Boston Patriots season|Boston Patriots]]''' |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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| '''W''' 27–15 |
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| align=center|11 |
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| 5–3–1 |
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| November 19, 1961 |
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| Jeppesen Stadium |
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| [[1961 New York Titans season|New York Titans]] |
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| 35,649 |
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| W 49–13 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111120oti.htm Recap] |
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| <center>33,428</center> |
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|-style="background: |
|- style="background:#cfc" |
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! 11 |
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| align=center|12 |
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| November |
| November 19 |
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| '''[[1961 New York Titans season|New York Titans]]''' |
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| Denver Broncos |
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| W |
| '''W''' 49–13 |
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| 6–3–1 |
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| <center>27,864</center> |
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| Jeppesen Stadium |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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| 33,428 |
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| align=center|13 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111190oti.htm Recap] |
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| December 3, 1961 |
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|- style="background:#cfc" |
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| San Diego Chargers |
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! 12 |
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| W 33–13 |
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| November 26 |
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| <center>37,845</center> |
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| [[1961 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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| '''W''' 45–14 |
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| align=center|14 |
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| 7–3–1 |
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| December 10, 1961 |
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| Jeppesen Stadium |
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| at New York Titans |
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| 27,864 |
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| W 48–21 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196111260oti.htm Recap] |
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| <center>9,462</center> |
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|-style="background: |
|- style="background:#cfc" |
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! 13 |
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| align=center|15 |
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| December |
| December 3 |
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| [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] |
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| at Oakland Raiders |
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| W |
| '''W''' 33–13 |
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| 8–3–1 |
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| <center>4,821</center> |
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| Jeppesen Stadium |
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| 37,845 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112030oti.htm Recap] |
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|- style="background:#cfc" |
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! 14 |
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| December 10 |
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| at '''[[1961 New York Titans season|New York Titans]]''' |
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| '''W''' 48–21 |
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| 9–3–1 |
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| [[Polo Grounds]] |
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| 9,462 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112100nyj.htm Recap] |
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|- style="background:#cfc" |
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! 15 |
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| December 17 |
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| at [[1961 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] |
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| '''W''' 47–16 |
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| 10–3–1 |
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| [[Candlestick Park]] |
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| 4,821 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112170rai.htm Recap] |
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|-style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}" |
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|colspan="8"| '''Note:''' Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text. |
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|} |
|} |
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===Roster=== |
=== Roster === |
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{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;" |
{| class="toccolours" style="text-align: left;" |
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|- |
|- |
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! colspan="7" style="text-align:center; {{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|border=2}};"|'''1961 Houston Oilers roster''' |
! colspan="7" style="text-align:center; {{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|border=2}};"|'''1961 Houston Oilers roster''' |
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|- |
|- |
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| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Quarterbacks''' {{NFLplayer|16|George Blanda}} {{NFLplayer|15|Jacky Lee}} |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Quarterbacks''' {{NFLplayer|16|George Blanda}} {{NFLplayer|15|Jacky Lee}} {{NFLplayer|12|Charlie Milstead}} |
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'''Running backs''' |
'''Running backs''' |
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{{NFLplayer|46|Claude King|rookie=y|d=American football}} |
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{{NFLplayer|21|Ken Hall|d=American football}} |
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{{NFLplayer|44|Charlie Tolar|FB}} |
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{{NFLplayer|32|Dave Smith|d=fullback}} |
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'''Wide receivers''' {{NFLplayer|87|Charley Hennigan}} {{NFLplayer|89|Bill Groman}} |
'''Wide receivers''' |
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{{NFLplayer|87|Charley Hennigan}} |
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{{NFLplayer|89|Bill Groman}} |
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'''Tight ends''' {{NFLplayer| |
'''Tight ends''' |
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{{NFLplayer|20|Billy Cannon}} |
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{{NFLplayer|81|Bob McLeod|rookie=y|d=American football}} |
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{{NFLplayer|86|John White|d=tight end}} |
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{{NFLplayer|88|Willard Dewveall|End}} |
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| style="width: 25px;" | |
| style="width: 25px;" | |
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| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Offensive |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Offensive linemen''' |
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{{NFLplayer|70|Al Jamison|T}} |
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{{NFLplayer|77|Rich Michael|T}} |
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{{NFLplayer|66|Leo Reed|rookie=y|T}} |
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{{NFLplayer|73|Bob Kelly|T|rookie=y|d=American football, born 1938}} |
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{{NFLplayer|61|Bob Talamini|G}} |
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{{NFLplayer|60|Buzz Guy|G}} |
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{{NFLplayer|63|Hogan Wharton|G}} |
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{{NFLplayer|52|Bob Schmidt|C|d=American football}} |
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{{NFLplayer|57|George Belotti|C}} |
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'''Defensive |
'''Defensive linemen''' |
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{{NFLplayer|80|Dalva Allen|DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|75|Don Floyd|DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|64|Willis Perkins|rookie=y|DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|62|Dick Frey|DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|82|Ed Husmann}} |
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{{NFLplayer|79|Orville Trask|DT}} |
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{{NFLplayer|74|George Shirkey}} |
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| style="width: 25px;" | |
| style="width: 25px;" | |
||
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Linebackers''' {{NFLplayer|31|Doug Cline}} {{NFLplayer|50|Dennit Morris}} {{NFLplayer|30|Mike Dukes}} |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Linebackers''' |
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{{NFLplayer|31|Doug Cline}} |
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{{NFLplayer|50|Dennit Morris}} |
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{{NFLplayer|30|Mike Dukes}} |
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{{NFLplayer|34|Jack Laraway}} |
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{{NFLplayer|25|Gene Jones|rookie=y|link=no}} |
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{{NFLplayer|33|John Guzik|d=linebacker}} |
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{{NFLplayer|37|Ron Botchan}} |
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'''Defensive backs''' {{NFLplayer|40|Tony Banfield}} {{NFLplayer|27|Fred Glick |
'''Defensive backs''' |
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{{NFLplayer|40|Tony Banfield}} |
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{{NFLplayer|27|Fred Glick}} |
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{{NFLplayer|22|Gary Wisener}} |
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{{NFLplayer|24|Julian Spence}} |
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{{NFLplayer|43|Jim Norton|d=safety}} |
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{{NFLplayer|41|Mark Johnston|d=American football}} |
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'''Special teams''' |
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'''Special Teams''' |
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| style="width: 25px;" | |
| style="width: 25px;" | |
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| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Reserve |
| style="font-size: 95%;" valign="top" | '''Reserve lists''' |
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'''Practice |
'''Practice squad''' |
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<small>'' |
<small>''rookies in italics''</small><br /> |
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|- |
|- |
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|} |
|} |
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==Postseason== |
== Postseason == |
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{{main|1961 American Football League Championship Game}} |
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
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===AFL Championship Game=== |
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|- |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Round |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Date |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Opponent |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Result |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Venue |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Attendance |
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!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Houston Oilers|year=1961|border=2}}"| Recap |
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|-style="background:#cfc" |
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! [[1961 American Football League Championship Game|Championship]] |
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| December 24 |
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| [[1961 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] |
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| '''W''' 10–3 |
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| [[Balboa Stadium]] |
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| 29,556 |
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| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196112240sdg.htm Recap] |
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|} |
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=== AFL Championship Game === |
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{{main article|1961 American Football League Championship Game}} |
{{main article|1961 American Football League Championship Game}} |
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{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
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Line 252: | Line 353: | ||
'''Scoring''' |
'''Scoring''' |
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*HOU – Field goal [[George Blanda]] 46 |
* HOU – Field goal [[George Blanda]] 46 |
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*HOU – [[Billy Cannon]] 35 pass from Blanda (Blanda kick) |
* HOU – [[Billy Cannon]] 35 pass from Blanda (Blanda kick) |
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*SD – Field goal [[George Blair (American football)|Blair]] 12 |
* SD – Field goal [[George Blair (American football)|Blair]] 12 |
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==References== |
== References == |
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{{Reflist|2}}<!--added under references heading by script-assisted edit--> |
{{Reflist|2}}<!--added under references heading by script-assisted edit--> |
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==External links== |
== External links == |
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* [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1961.htm Oilers on Pro Football Reference] |
* [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/oti/1961.htm Oilers on Pro Football Reference] |
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* [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1961-hou Oilers on jt-sw.com] |
* [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1961-hou Oilers on jt-sw.com] |
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[[Category:1961 American Football League season by team|Houston Oilers]] |
[[Category:1961 American Football League season by team|Houston Oilers]] |
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[[Category:American Football League championship seasons]] |
[[Category:American Football League championship seasons]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Houston Oilers seasons]] |
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[[Category:1961 in sports in Texas|Houston]] |
[[Category:1961 in sports in Texas|Houston]] |
Latest revision as of 04:41, 9 December 2024
1961 Houston Oilers season | |
---|---|
Owner | Bud Adams |
General manager | Don Suman |
Head coach | Lou Rymkus (1–3–1, fired) and Wally Lemm (9–0) |
Home field | Jeppesen Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 10–3–1 |
Division place | 1st AFL Eastern |
Playoff finish | Won AFL Championship (at Chargers) 10–3 |
The 1961 Houston Oilers season was the second season for the Houston Oilers as a professional American football franchise; For the second consecutive season, the Oilers scored a triumph in the AFL championship game over the San Diego Chargers (12–2), the Western Division champions.[1][2][3]
The Oilers started slowly in 1961, with a 1–3–1 record. After a tie on October 13 with the Boston Patriots, head coach Lou Rymkus was fired by owner Bud Adams. Wally Lemm was hired,[4] and the team went undefeated for the remainder of the season, including the championship game, a winning streak of ten games.
The Oilers set the AFL record for points scored in 1961, with 513 (36.6 points per game).[5] They also set an American Football League record with a +271 point differential, by allowing only 242 points.[6] The 1961 Oilers are the only team in AFL or NFL history to score 45 points or more six times in a single season.[7]
Offseason
[edit]On January 14, end Willard Dewveall played out his option with the Chicago Bears of the NFL and joined the Oilers.[8] He became the first player to move deliberately from one league to another.[9] Dewveall was the only one to move between leagues for five years, until placekicker Pete Gogolak moved from the Buffalo Bills to the New York Giants of the NFL in 1966.[10]
AFL Draft
[edit]- Houston Oilers draft picks (Selected eighth)[11]
Round | Player | Position | College |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Mike Ditka | Offensive End | Pittsburgh |
2 | Tom Goode | Center | Mississippi State |
3 | Walter Suggs 1 | Tackle | Mississippi State |
4 | Bobby Walden | Halfback | Georgia |
5 | Monte Lee | Linebacker | Texas |
6 | Jake Gibbs | Quarterback | Mississippi |
7 | Dick Reynolds | Tackle | North Carolina State |
8 | Houston Antwine 1,2 | Guard | Southern Illinois |
9 | Ralph White | Tackle | Bowling Green |
10 | Charles Lee | Center | Iowa |
11 | Robert Bird | Guard | Bowling Green |
12 | Bob McLeod | Offensive End | Abilene Christian |
13 | Gerald Hinton | Guard | Louisiana Tech |
14 | Jimmy King | Tackle | Clemson |
15 | Dennis Ferriter | Center | Marquette |
16 | Larry Wood | Halfback | Northwestern |
17 | Sam Fewell | Tackle | South Carolina |
18 | Mike Grimsley | Halfback | Michigan State |
19 | Myron Pearson | Halfback | Colorado |
20 | Lewis Johnson | Halfback | Florida A&M |
21 | Ron Miller | Quarterback | Wisconsin |
22 | Bob Kelly | Offensive End | New Mexico State |
23 | James Anderson | Fullback | Mississippi |
24 | Ken Gregory | Offensive End | Whittier |
25 | Jack Kreider | Halfback | Tulsa |
26 | Don Fuell | Quarterback | Mississippi Southern |
27 | Boyd King | Center | Rice |
28 | John Frongillo | Center | Baylor |
29 | Tom Lewis | Offensive End | Wake Forest |
29 | Errol Linden | Defensive end | Houston |
30 | Jim Stroud | Tackle | Rice |
Standings
[edit]AFL Eastern Division | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | PF | PA | STK | ||
Houston Oilers | 10 | 3 | 1 | .769 | 4–1–1 | 513 | 242 | W9 | |
Boston Patriots | 9 | 4 | 1 | .692 | 2–3–1 | 413 | 313 | W4 | |
New York Titans | 7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | 3–3 | 301 | 390 | L2 | |
Buffalo Bills | 6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | 2–4 | 294 | 342 | L1 |
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings in the AFL.
Season schedule
[edit]Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | Game Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 9 | Oakland Raiders | W 55–0 | 1–0 | Jeppesen Stadium | 16,231 | Recap |
2 | Bye | ||||||
3 | September 24 | at San Diego Chargers | L 24–34 | 1–1 | Balboa Stadium | 29,210 | Recap |
4 | October 1 | at Dallas Texans | L 21–26 | 1–2 | Cotton Bowl | 28,000 | Recap |
5 | October 8 | Buffalo Bills | L 12–22 | 1–3 | Jeppesen Stadium | 22,761 | Recap |
6 | October 13 | at Boston Patriots | T 31–31 | 1–3–1 | Boston University Field | 15,070 | Recap |
7 | October 22 | Dallas Texans | W 38–7 | 2–3–1 | Jeppesen Stadium | 21,237 | Recap |
8 | October 29 | at Buffalo Bills | W 28–16 | 3–3–1 | War Memorial Stadium | 23,228 | Recap |
9 | November 5 | at Denver Broncos | W 55–14 | 4–3–1 | Bears Stadium | 11,564 | Recap |
10 | November 12 | Boston Patriots | W 27–15 | 5–3–1 | Jeppesen Stadium | 35,649 | Recap |
11 | November 19 | New York Titans | W 49–13 | 6–3–1 | Jeppesen Stadium | 33,428 | Recap |
12 | November 26 | Denver Broncos | W 45–14 | 7–3–1 | Jeppesen Stadium | 27,864 | Recap |
13 | December 3 | San Diego Chargers | W 33–13 | 8–3–1 | Jeppesen Stadium | 37,845 | Recap |
14 | December 10 | at New York Titans | W 48–21 | 9–3–1 | Polo Grounds | 9,462 | Recap |
15 | December 17 | at Oakland Raiders | W 47–16 | 10–3–1 | Candlestick Park | 4,821 | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. |
Roster
[edit]1961 Houston Oilers roster | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
|
Offensive linemen
|
Linebackers
Special teams |
Reserve lists
Practice squad rookies in italics |
Postseason
[edit]Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Venue | Attendance | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Championship | December 24 | San Diego Chargers | W 10–3 | Balboa Stadium | 29,556 | Recap |
AFL Championship Game
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oilers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Houston Oilers 10, San Diego Chargers 3
- December 24, 1961, at Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California
Attendance: 29,556
Scoring
- HOU – Field goal George Blanda 46
- HOU – Billy Cannon 35 pass from Blanda (Blanda kick)
- SD – Field goal Blair 12
References
[edit]- ^ "Chargers challenge for AFL grid title". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. December 24, 1961. p. 2, sports.
- ^ "Blanda stars as Oilers win AFL title, 10-3". Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. December 25, 1961. p. 1S.
- ^ "Blanda's arm and toe clear path as Houston takes 2d AFL crown". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. December 25, 1961. p. 14.
- ^ "Lemm lifts Oilers back toward top". Sarasota Journal. Florida. UPI. November 2, 1961. p. 30.
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points For
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1960 to 1969, in the AFL, in the regular season, sorted by descending Points Differential
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2011, in the regular season, requiring Points For >= 45, sorted by most games in season matching criteria.
- ^ "Chicago Bears veteran Dewveall joins". Victoria Advocate. Texas. Associated Press. January 14, 1961. p. 8.
- ^ NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book, Workman Publishing Co, New York, NY, ISBN 0-7611-2480-2, p. 282
- ^ "Signing of Gogolak could trigger football battle". Ludington Daily News. Michigan. Associated Press. May 18, 1966. p. 12.
- ^ "1961 Houston Oilers Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 5, 2024.