1971 Washington Redskins season

1971 Washington Redskins season
Owner	Edward Bennett Williams
General manager	George Allen
President	Edward Bennett Williams
Head coach	George Allen
Offensive coordinator	Ted Marchibroda
Defensive coordinator	LaVern Torgeson
Home stadium	RFK Stadium
Results
Record	9–4–1
Division place	2nd NFC East
Playoffs	Lost Divisional Playoffs (at 49ers) 20–24

George Allen and members of the 1971 team with President Richard Nixon, two days before Thanksgiving.

The 1971 Washington Redskins season was the team's 40th in the National Football League, and its 35th in Washington, D.C. The Redskins were led by first-year head coach George Allen, who had been the head coach of the Los Angeles Rams for the previous five seasons.

Coming into the 1971 season, the team had not made the postseason in 26 years. The Redskins had had only four winning seasons since their last playoff berth in 1945, the most recent a 7–5–2 campaign in 1969 under Vince Lombardi, who died of colon cancer in September 1970.

Allen was Washington's fourth head coach in as many seasons. Lombardi succeeded Otto Graham, and assistant Bill Austin took over when Lombardi fell mortally ill in the summer of 1970, and posted a 6–8 record.

Despite a broken left ankle suffered by leading receiver Charley Taylor in a week 6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that forced him to miss the remainder of the season, the Redskins went 9–4–1, good for second place in the NFC East. They earned a wild card berth, but lost in the opening divisional round at San Francisco, 24–20.

Off-season

NFL draft

Main article: 1971 NFL draft

1971 Washington Redskins draft

Round	Selection	Player	Position	College
2	38	Cotton Speyrer	Wide Receiver	Texas
6	141	Conway Hayman	Guard	Delaware
7	166	Willie Germany	Defensive Back	Morgan State
9	219	Mike Fanucci	Defensive End	Arizona State
10	244	Jesse Taylor	Running Back	Cincinnati
11	272	George Starke	Tackle	Columbia
12	297	Jeff Severson	Defensive Back	Cal-Long Beach
13	322	Dan Ryczek	Center	Virginia
14	349	Bill Bynum	Quarterback	West New Mexico
15	375	Anthony Christnovich	Guard	La Crosse (Wis.)
16	400	Glenn Tucker	Linebacker	North Texas

Undrafted free agents

1971 undrafted free agents of note

Player	Position	College
Dewey Stendahl	Kicker	UW–La Crosse

Roster

1971 Washington Redskins roster

Quarterbacks (QB)  9 Sonny Jurgensen 17 Billy Kilmer 18 Sam Wyche Running backs (RB) 43 Larry Brown 26 Bob Brunet 31 Charley Harraway 25 Mike Hull 30 Jeff Jordan 20 Tommy Mason Wide receivers (WR) 86 Boyd Dowler 80 Roy Jefferson 24 Bill Malinchak 85 Clifton McNeil Tight ends (TE) 87 Jerry Smith

Offensive linemen (OL) 58 George Burman C 56 Len Hauss C 75 Terry Hermeling T 73 Paul Laaveg G 76 Walt Rock T 62 Ray Schoenke G 74 Jim Snowden T 77 Mike Taylor T 60 John Wilbur G Defensive linemen (DL) 89 Verlon Biggs DE 77 Bill Brundige DT 82 Jimmie Jones DE 79 Ron McDole DE 64 Manny Sistrunk DT 72 Diron Talbert DT

Linebackers (LB) 51 Bob Grant OLB 55 Chris Hanburger OLB 53 Harold McLinton OLB 32 Jack Pardee OLB 66 Myron Pottios MLB 67 Rusty Tillman MLB Defensive backs (DB) 41 Mike Bass CB 45 Speedy Duncan CB/S 37 Pat Fischer CB 48 Jon Jaqua SS 23 Brig Owens FS 16 Richie Petitbon SS 29 Ted Vactor CB Special teams (ST)  4 Mike Bragg P  5 Curt Knight K

Practice squad 81 Mack Alston TE 68 Mike Fanucci DE 44 Jeff Severson S Reserve 50 Maxie Baughan LB (IR) 54 Mike Foote LB (IR) 61 Conway Hayman G (IR) 57 Dan Ryczek C (IR) 42 Charley Taylor WR (IR) Rookies in italics

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Time	TV	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	August 7	at San Diego Chargers	11:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	L 10–19	0–1	San Diego Stadium	43,186
2	August 14	at Denver Broncos	10:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	W 17–13	1–1	Mile High Stadium	42,561
3	August 21	St. Louis Cardinals	8:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	W 20–13	2–1	RFK Stadium	40,228
4	August 28	Baltimore Colts	8:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	L 14–20	2–2	RFK Stadium	46,045
5	September 4	at Miami Dolphins	8:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	L 10–27	2–3	Miami Orange Bowl	61,202
6	September 11	Cincinnati Bengals	8:00 p.m. EDT	WMAL-TV	T 17–17	2–3–1	RFK Stadium	39,105

Pre season Game summaries

Week P1 (Saturday, August 7, 1971): at San Diego Chargers

Preseason week 1: Washington Redskins 10 at San Diego Chargers 19 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	3	7	0	0	10
Chargers	0	3	16	0	19

at San Diego Stadium • San Diego, California

• Date: August 7, 1971
• Game time: 11:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 43,186
• TV: WMAL-TV

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SD	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS SD "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 10 19

• Time of game:

Redskins	Game Statistics	Chargers
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards

Week P2 (Saturday, August 14, 1971): at Denver Broncos

Preseason week 2: Washington Redskins 17 at Denver Broncos 13 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	7	3	7	0	17
Broncos	6	0	0	7	13

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: August 14, 1971
• Game time: 10:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 42,561
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV: WMAL-TV

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS DEN "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 13

• Time of game: 2 hours, 40 minutes

Redskins	Game Statistics	Broncos
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards

Week P3 (Saturday, August 21, 1971): vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Preseason week 3: St. Louis Cardinals 13 at Washington Redskins 20 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals (1–1)	0	0	0	13	13
Redskins (2–1)	7	6	7	0	20

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

• Date: August 21, 1971
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 40,228
• TV: WMAL-TV

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
STL	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
WAS	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP STL WAS "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 13 20

• Time of game:

Cardinals	Game Statistics	Redskins
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards

Week P4 (Saturday, August 28, 1971): vs. Baltimore Colts

Preseason week 4: Baltimore Colts 20 at Washington Redskins 14 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	3	7	3	7	20
Redskins	0	0	0	14	14

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

• Date: August 28, 1971
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 46,045
• TV: WMAL-TV

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
BAL	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
WAS	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP BAL WAS "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 14

• Time of game:

Colts	Game Statistics	Redskins
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards

Week P5 (Saturday, September 4, 1971): at Miami Dolphins

Preseason week 5: Washington Redskins 10 at Miami Dolphinss 27 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	3	0	0	7	10
Dolphins	0	6	14	7	27

at Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, Florida

• Date: September 4, 1971
• Game time: 8:09 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 43,186
• Referee: Fred Wyant
• TV: WMAL-TV

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
MIA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS MIA "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 10 27

• Time of game: 2 hours, 27 minutes

Redskins	Game Statistics	Dolphins
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards

Week P6 (Saturday, September 11, 1971): vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Preseason week 6: Cincinnati Bengals 17 at Washington Redskins 17 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	10	0	7	17
Redskins	7	0	3	7	17

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

• Date: September 11, 1971
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
• Game attendance: 39,105
• TV: WMAL-TV

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
CIN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
WAS	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP CIN WAS "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 17

• Time of game:

Bengals	Game Statistics	Redskins
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards

Regular season

Main article: 1971 NFL season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
1	September 19	at St. Louis Cardinals	W 24–17	1–0	Busch Memorial Stadium	46,805	Recap
2	September 26	at New York Giants	W 30–3	2–0	Yankee Stadium	62,795	Recap
3	October 3	at Dallas Cowboys	W 20–16	3–0	Cotton Bowl	61,554	Recap
4	October 10	Houston Oilers	W 22–13	4–0	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
5	October 17	St. Louis Cardinals	W 20–0	5–0	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
6	October 24	at Kansas City Chiefs	L 20–27	5–1	Municipal Stadium	51,989	Recap
7	October 31	New Orleans Saints	W 24–14	6–1	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
8	November 7	Philadelphia Eagles	T 7–7	6–1–1	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
9	November 14	at Chicago Bears	L 15–16	6–2–1	Soldier Field	55,049	Recap
10	November 21	Dallas Cowboys	L 0–13	6–3–1	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
11	November 28	at Philadelphia Eagles	W 20–13	7–3–1	Veterans Stadium	65,358	Recap
12	December 5	New York Giants	W 23–7	8–3–1	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
13	December 13	at Los Angeles Rams	W 38–24	9–3–1	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	80,402	Recap
14	December 19	Cleveland Browns	L 13–20	9–4–1	RFK Stadium	53,041	Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

NFC East
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Dallas Cowboys	11	3	0	.786	7–1	8–3	406	222	W7
Washington Redskins	9	4	1	.692	6–1–1	8–2–1	276	190	L1
Philadelphia Eagles	6	7	1	.462	4–3–1	5–5–1	221	302	W3
St. Louis Cardinals	4	9	1	.308	1–7	2–8–1	231	279	L2
New York Giants	4	10	0	.286	1–7	3–8	228	362	L5

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

Regular season game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 19, 1971): at St. Louis Cardinals

Week 1: Washington Redskins 24 at St. Louis Cardinals 17 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins (1–0)	7	0	14	3	24
Cardinals (0–1)	0	10	0	7	17

at Busch Memorial Stadium • St. Louis, Missouri

• Date: September 19, 1971
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C); relative humidity 100%; wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn) (Light rain)
• Game attendance: 46,805
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (CBS): Jack Drees (play-by-play), George Connor (color commentator) and Bruce Roberts (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	6/17, 65 YDS, 1 TD
	Rushing	Larry Brown	18 CAR, 79 YDS, 1 TD
	Receiving	Jerry Smith	2 REC, 35 YDS, 1 TD
STL	Passing	Jim Hart	5/15, 74 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
	Rushing	MacArthur Lane	19 CAR, 54 YDS
	Receiving	Jackie Smith	5 REC, 63 YDS, 2 TDs

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS STL 1 Redskins Brown 1-yard touchdown run, Knight kick good 7 0 2 Cardinals Smith 8-yard touchdown reception from Hart, Bakken kick good 7 7 2 Cardinals 25-yard field goal by Bakken 7 10 3 — — — Redskins Fumble recovery returned 16 yards for touchdown by Hanburger, Knight kick good 14 10 3 Redskins Smith 31-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 21 10 4 Cardinals Smith 9-yard touchdown reception from Hart, Bakken kick good 21 17 4 Redskins 25-yard field goal by Knight 24 17 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 17

• Point spread: Redskins +7½
• Time of game:

Redskins	Game Statistics	Cardinals
10	First downs	13
38–148	Rushes–yards	38–117
65	Passing yards	138
6–17–0	Passes	10–27–4
0–0	Sacked–yards	0–0
65	Net passing yards	138
213	Total yards	255
171	Return yards	138
7–40.9	Punts	5–39.8
2–1	Fumbles–lost	3–3
3–25	Penalties–yards	6–39

Individual stats

Redskins Passing
	C/ATT1	Yds	TD	INT	Sk	Yds	LG3	Rate
Kilmer	6/17	65	1	0	0	0	31	67.0

Redskins Rushing
	Car2	Yds	TD	LG3
Brown	18	79	1	21
Harraway	13	62	0	20
Smith	1	5	0	5
Milmer	3	2	0	2
Mason	1	2	0	2
Jefferson	1	0	0	0
Petitbon	1	–2	0	–2

Redskins Receiving
	Rec4	Yds	TD	LG3
Smith	2	35	1	31
Taylor	2	11	0	6
Brown	1	10	0	10
Dowler	1	9	0	9

Redskins Kick Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Duncan	4	90	22.5	0	0

Redskins Punt Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Duncan	2	7	3.5	0	0

Redskins Punting
	Pnt	Yds	Y/P	Lng	Blck
Bragg	7	286	40.9	50

Redskins Kicking
	XPM–XPA	FGM–FGA	MFG
Knight	3–3	1–3

Redskins Interceptions
	Int	Yds	TD	LG	PD
Petitbon	3	66	0	0
Owens	1	8	0	8

Starting Lineups

Position	Starting Lineups: Week 1 – at St. Louis
Offense
WR	Charley Taylor
LT	Jim Snowden
LG	Ray Schoenke
C	Len Hauss
RG	John Wilbur
RT	Walt Rock
TE	Jerry Smith
WR	Roy Jefferson
QB	Billy Kilmer
FB	Charley Harraway
RB	Larry Brown
Defense
LDE	Ron McDole
LDT	Manny Sistrunk
RDT	Diron Talbert
RDE	Verlon Biggs
LLB	Jack Pardee
MLB	Myron Pottios
RLB	Chris Hanburger
LCB	Pat Fischer
RCB	Mike Bass
SS	Richie Petitbon
FS	Brig Owens

Week 2 (Sunday, September 26, 1971): at New York Giants

Week 2: Washington Redskins 30 at New York Giants 3 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins (2–0)	14	3	3	10	30
Giants (1–1)	3	0	0	0	3

at Yankee Stadium • Bronx, New York

• Date: September 26, 1971
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C); relative humidity 59%; wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn) (Light rain)
• Game attendance: 62,795
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (CBS): Ray Scott (play-by-play), Pat Summerall (color commentator) and Bill Mazer (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	23/32, 309 YDS, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Larry Brown	16 CAR, 72 YDS
	Receiving	Roy Jefferson	8 REC, 95 YDS
NYG	Passing	Fran Tarkenton	12/21, 119 YDS, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Bobby Duhon	9 CAR, 37 YDS
	Receiving	Clifton McNeil	4 REC, 59 YDS

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS NYG 1 Giants 18-yard field goal by Gogolak 0 3 1 Redskins Taylor 71-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 7 3 1 — — — Redskins Interception returned 20 yards for touchdown by Pardee, Knight kick good 14 3 2 Redskins 52-yard field goal by Knight 17 3 3 Redskins 32-yard field goal by Knight 20 3 4 Redskins Taylor 1-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 27 3 4 Redskins 18-yard field goal by Knight 30 3 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 30 3

• Point spread: Redskins –2½
• Time of game:

Redskins	Game Statistics	Giants
19	First downs	13
30–126	Rushes–yards	25–68
309	Passing yards	139
23–32–0	Passes	14–30–2
1–8	Sacked–yards	5–51
301	Net passing yards	88
427	Total yards	156
125	Return yards	79
5–38.4	Punts	9–42.3
1–0	Fumbles–lost	2–0
15–178	Penalties–yards	9–72

Individual stats

Redskins Passing
	C/ATT1	Yds	TD	INT	Sk	Yds	LG3	Rate
Kilmer	23/32	309	2	0	1	8	71	123.0

Redskins Rushing
	Car2	Yds	TD	LG3
Brown	16	72	0	13
Harraway	9	41	0	19
Mason	5	13	0	7

Redskins Receiving
	Rec4	Yds	TD	LG3
Jefferson	8	95	0	18
Taloyr	6	125	2	71
Smith	5	61	0	23
Brown	2	8	0	4
Dowler	1	16	0	16
Harraway	1	4	0	4

Redskins Kick Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Duncan	1	23	23.0	0	0

Redskins Punt Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Vactor	5	42	8.4	0	0
Duncan	3	26	8.7	0	0

Redskins Punting
	Pnt	Yds	Y/P	Lng	Blck
Bragg	5	192	38.4	45

Redskins Kicking
	XPM–XPA	FGM–FGA	MFG
Knight	3–3	3–4

Redskins Interceptions
	Int	Yds	TD	LG	PD
Pardee	1	20	1	20
Petitbon	1	14	0	14

Starting Lineups

Position	Starting Lineups: Week 2 – at N.Y. Giants
Offense
WR	Charley Taylor
LT	Jim Snowden
LG	Ray Schoenke
C	Len Hauss
RG	John Wilbur
RT	Walt Rock
TE	Jerry Smith
WR	Roy Jefferson
QB	Billy Kilmer
FB	Charley Harraway
RB	Larry Brown
Defense
LDE	Ron McDole
LDT	Manny Sistrunk
RDT	Diron Talbert
RDE	Verlon Biggs
LLB	Jack Pardee
MLB	Myron Pottios
RLB	Chris Hanburger
LCB	Pat Fischer
RCB	Mike Bass
SS	Richie Petitbon
FS	Brig Owens

Week 3 (Sunday, October 3, 1971): at Dallas Cowboys

Week 3: Washington Redskins 20 at Dallas Cowboys 16 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins (3–0)	7	7	3	3	20
Cowboys (2–1)	0	9	0	7	16

at Cotton Bowl • Dallas, Texas

• Date: October 3, 1971
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C); relative humidity 94%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn) (Fog, Light rain)
• Game attendance: 61,554
• Referee: Jack Reader
• TV announcers (CBS): Frank Glieber (play-by-play), Eddie LeBaron (color commentator) and Frank Clarke (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	5/10, 94 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Charley Harraway	18 CAR, 111 YDS, 1 TD
	Receiving	Roy Jefferson	2 REC, 67 YDS, 1 TD
DAL	Passing	Craig Morton	11/26, 124 YDS
	Rushing	Calvin Hill	19 CAR, 65 YDS, 1 TD
	Receiving	Walt Garrison	5 REC, 44 YDS

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS DAL 1 Redskins Harraway 57-yard touchdown run, Knight kick good 7 0 2 Cowboys 22-yard field goal by Clark 7 3 2 Redskins Jefferson 50-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 14 3 2 Cowboys 9-yard field goal by Clark 14 6 2 Cowboys 27-yard field goal by Clark 14 9 3 Redskins 25-yard field goal by Knight 17 9 4 Redskins 32-yard field goal by Knight 20 9 4 Cowboys Hill 1-yard touchdown run, Clark kick good 20 16 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 16

• Point spread: Redskins +10
• Time of game:

Redskins	Game Statistics	Cowboys
14	First downs	20
41–200	Rushes–yards	29–82
94	Passing yards	227
5–10–1	Passes	17–35–0
2–9	Sacked–yards	3–42
85	Net passing yards	185
285	Total yards	267
110	Return yards	134
3–51.0	Punts	5–42.6
3–2	Fumbles–lost	1–1
3–15	Penalties–yards	5–35

Individual stats

Redskins Passing
	C/ATT1	Yds	TD	INT	Sk	Yds	LG3	Rate
Kilmer	5/10	94	1	1	2	9	50	76.7

Redskins Rushing
	Car2	Yds	TD	LG3
Harrayway	18	111	1	57
Brown	21	81	0	14
Mason	1	6	0	6
Kilmer	1	2	0	2

Redskins Receiving
	Rec4	Yds	TD	LG3
Jefferson	2	67	1	50
Taylor	2	17	0	9
Smith	1	10	0	10

Redskins Kick Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Duncan	3	80	26.7	0	0

Redskins Punt Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Vactor	3	30	10.0	0	0

Redskins Punting
	Pnt	Yds	Y/P	Lng	Blck
Bragg	3	153	51.0	58

Redskins Kicking
	XPM–XPA	FGM–FGA
Knight	2–2	2–2

Starting Lineups

Position	Starting Lineups: Week 3 – at Dallas
Offense
WR	Charley Taylor
LT	Jim Snowden
LG	Ray Schoenke
C	Len Hauss
RG	John Wilbur
RT	Walt Rock
TE	Jerry Smith
WR	Roy Jefferson
QB	Billy Kilmer
FB	Charley Harraway
RB	Larry Brown
Defense
LDE	Ron McDole
LDT	Manny Sistrunk
RDT	Diron Talbert
RDE	Verlon Biggs
LLB	Jack Pardee
MLB	Myron Pottios
RLB	Chris Hanburger
LCB	Pat Fischer
RCB	Mike Bass
SS	Richie Petitbon
FS	Brig Owens

Week 4 (Sunday, October 10, 1971): vs. Houston Oilers

Week 4: Houston Oilers 13 at Washington Redskins 22 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers (0–3–1)	0	10	3	0	13
Redskins (4–0)	6	10	0	6	22

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

• Date: October 10, 1971
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 57 °F (14 °C); relative humidity 96%; wind 9 miles per hour (14 km/h; 7.8 kn) (Light rain)
• Game attendance: 53,041
• Referee: Bernie Ulman
• TV announcers (KPRC-TV (Houston)): Bill Enis (play-by-play) and Paul Maguire (color commentator)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
HOU	Passing	Charley Johnson	16/34, 160 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Leroy Sledge	9 CAR, 31 YDS
	Receiving	Willie Frazier	4 REC, 36 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	10/21, 136 YDS
	Rushing	Charley Harraway	19 CAR, 65 YDS
	Receiving	Charley Taylor	4 REC, 59 YDS

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP HOU WAS 1 Redskins 15-yard field goal by Knight 0 3 1 Redskins 36-yard field goal by Knight 0 6 2 Redskins 13-yard field goal by Knight 0 9 2 Oilers Sledge 5-yard touchdown reception from Johnson, Moseley kick good 7 9 2 — — — Redskins Interception returned 18 yards for touchdown by McDole, Knight kick good 7 16 2 Oilers 42-yard field goal by Moseley 10 16 3 Oilers 25-yard field goal by Moseley 13 16 4 Redskins 17-yard field goal by Knight 13 19 4 Redskins 39-yard field goal by Knight 13 22 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 13 22

• Point spread: Redskins –10½
• Time of game:

Oilers	Game Statistics	Redskins
13	First downs	11
21–46	Rushes–yards	40–115
160	Passing yards	136
16–35–3	Passes	10–21–0
2–14	Sacked–yards	0–0
146	Net passing yards	136
192	Total yards	251
106	Return yards	165
7–44.7	Punts	5–36.2
2–2	Fumbles–lost	2–2
4–35	Penalties–yards	5–63

Individual stats

Redskins Passing
	C/ATT1	Yds	TD	INT	Sk	Yds	LG3	Rate
Kilmer	10/32	136	0	0	0	0	47	68.7

Redskins Rushing
	Car2	Yds	TD	LG3
Harraway	19	65	0	9
Brown	18	51	0	7
Kilmer	3	–1	0	1

Redskins Receiving
	Rec4	Yds	TD	LG3
Taylor	4	59	0	43
Jefferson	3	56	0	47
Smith	1	18	0	18
Harraway	1	2	0	2
Brown	1	1	0	1

Starting Lineups

Week 5 (Sunday, October 17, 1971): vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Week 5: St. Louis Cardinals 0 at Washington Redskins 20 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals (2–3)	0	0	0	0	0
Redskins (5–0)	10	0	3	7	20

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

• Date: October 17, 1971
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C); relative humidity 90%; wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn) (Smoke haze)
• Game attendance: 53,041
• Referee: Norm Schachter
• TV announcers (CBS): Jack Buck (play-by-play), Alex Hawkins (color commentator) and Andy Musser (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
STL	Passing	Pete Beathard	12/22, 142 YDS, 3 INTs
	Rushing	Roy Shivers	6 CAR, 11 YDS
	Receiving	John Gilliam	4 REC, 54 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	9/17, 126 YDS, 1 INT
	Rushing	Larry Brown	25 CAR, 150 YDS
	Receiving	Roy Jefferson	4 REC, 62 YDS

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP STL WAS 1 Redskins 16-yard field goal by Knight 0 3 1 Redskins Harraway 1-yard touchdown run, Knight kick good 0 10 3 Redskins 11-yard field goal by Knight 0 13 4 Redskins Kilmer 3-yard touchdown run, Knight kick good 0 20 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 0 20

• Point spread: Redskins –4
• Time of game:

Cardinals	Game Statistics	Redskins
11	First downs	21
14–25	Rushes–yards	47–229
180	Passing yards	126
15–30–4	Passes	9–17–1
0–0	Sacked–yards	1–6
180	Net passing yards	120
205	Total yards	349
100	Return yards	52
5–41.4	Punts	4–42.5
3–3	Fumbles–lost	2–1
4–30	Penalties–yards	7–60

Individual stats

Redskins Passing
	C/ATT1	Yds	TD	INT	Sk	Yds	LG3	Rate
Kilmer	9/17	126	0	1	1	6	38	52.6

Redskins Rushing
	Car2	Yds	TD	LG3
Brown	25	150	0	29
Harraway	12	40	1	19
Jefferson	1	13	0	13
Mason	5	11	0	10
Hull	2	8	0	6
Wyche	1	4	0	4
Kilmer	1	3	1	3

Redskins Receiving
	Rec4	Yds	TD	LG3
Jefferson	4	62	0	38
Taylor	3	33	0	17
Alston	1	21	0	21
Dowler	1	10	0	10

Redskins Kick Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Duncan	1	25	25.0	0	0

Redskins Punt Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Vactor	1	0	0.0	0	0

Redskins Punting
	Pnt	Yds	Y/P	Lng	Blck
Bragg	4	170	42.5	58

Redskins Kicking
	XPM–XPA	FGM–FGA	MFG
Knight	2–2	2–3

Redskins Interceptions
	Int	Yds	TD	LG	PD
Pardee	3	25	0	0
Bass	1	2	0	2

Starting Lineups

Position	Starting Lineups: Week 5 – vs. St. Louis
Offense
WR	Charley Taylor
LT	Jim Snowden
LG	Ray Schoenke
C	Len Hauss
RG	John Wilbur
RT	Walt Rock
TE	Jerry Smith
WR	Roy Jefferson
QB	Billy Kilmer
FB	Charley Harraway
RB	Larry Brown
Defense
LDE	Ron McDole
LDT	Manny Sistrunk
RDT	Diron Talbert
RDE	Verlon Biggs
LLB	Jack Pardee
MLB	Myron Pottios
RLB	Chris Hanburger
LCB	Pat Fischer
RCB	Mike Bass
SS	Richie Petitbon
FS	Brig Owens

Week 6 (Sunday, October 24, 1971): at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 6: Washington Redskins 20 at Kansas City Chiefs 27 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins (5–1)	10	7	0	3	20
Chiefs (5–1)	3	3	7	14	27

at Municipal Stadium • Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: October 24, 1971
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 62 °F (17 °C); relative humidity 84%; wind 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h; 5.2 kn) (Drizzle)
• Game attendance: 51,989
• Referee: Jack Vest
• TV announcers (CBS): Ray Scott (play-by-play), Pat Summerall (color commentator) and Ron Barr (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	15/38, 220 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Charley Harraway	12 CAR, 58 YDS
	Receiving	Charley Taylor	7 REC, 125 YDS, 2 TDs
KC	Passing	Len Dawson	10/23, 203 YDS, 3 TDs, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Ed Podolak	24 CAR, 110 YDS
	Receiving	Otis Taylor	5 REC, 105 YDS, 2 TDs

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS KC 1 Redskins Taylor 4-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 7 0 1 Chiefs 39-yard field goal by Stenerud 7 3 1 Redskins 33-yard field goal by Knight 10 3 2 Chiefs 15-yard field goal by Stenerud 10 6 2 Redskins Taylor 36-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 17 6 3 Chiefs Taylor 26-yard touchdown reception from Dawson, Stenerud kick good 17 13 4 Redskins 23-yard field goal by Knight 20 13 4 Chiefs Wright 15-yard touchdown reception from Dawson, Wright kick good 20 20 4 Chiefs Taylor 28-yard touchdown reception from Dawson, Stenerud kick good 20 27 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 27

• Time of game:

Redskins	Game Statistics	Chiefs
16	First downs	20
25–99	Rushes–yards	39–162
220	Passing yards	203
15–38–1	Passes	10–23–2
2–15	Sacked–yards	5–40
205	Net passing yards	163
304	Total yards	325
176	Return yards	131
4–44.0	Punts	5–47.8
2–1	Fumbles–lost	0–0
8–72	Penalties–yards	2–20

Week 7 (Sunday, October 31, 1971): vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 7: New Orleans Saints 14 at Washington Redskins 24 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Saints (2–4–1)	0	0	0	14	14
Redskins (6–1)	0	17	0	7	24

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

• Date: October 31, 1971
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 68 °F (20 °C); relative humidity 91%; wind 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h; 4.3 kn) (Overcast)
• Game attendance: 53,041
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (CBS): Jack Whitaker (play-by-play), Tom Brookshier (color commentator) and Dick Stockton (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NO	Passing	Edd Hargett	9/21, 134 YDS, 1 INT
	Rushing	James Ford	15 CAR, 64 YDS, 1 TD
	Receiving	Al Dodd	3 REC, 59 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	13/22, 204 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Larry Brown	20 CAR, 113 YDS
	Receiving	Boyd Dowler	5 REC, 71 YDS

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NO WAS 2 Redskins Kilmer 1-yard touchdown run, Knight kick good 0 7 2 Redskins Brown 36-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 0 14 2 Redskins 47-yard field goal by Knight 0 17 4 Saints Ford 1-yard touchdown run, Durkee kick good 7 17 4 — — — Redskins Interception returned 53 yards for touchdown by Fischer, Knight kick good 7 24 4 Saints Gresham 1-yard touchdown run, Durkee kick good 14 24 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 24

• Time of game:

Saints	Game Statistics	Redskins
16	First downs	21
31–106	Rushes–yards	37–173
163	Passing yards	204
12–27–1	Passes	13–22–2
6–57	Sacked–yards	0–0
106	Net passing yards	204
212	Total yards	377
91	Return yards	137
9–42.9	Punts	2–40.0
2–0	Fumbles–lost	4–4
13–123	Penalties–yards	6–61

Week 8 (Sunday, November 7, 1971): vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 8: Philadelphia Eagles 7 at Washington Redskins 7 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles (2–5–1)	0	0	7	0	7
Redskins (6–1–1)	0	0	0	7	7

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

• Date: November 7, 1971
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 47 °F (8 °C); relative humidity 56%; wind 17 miles per hour (27 km/h; 15 kn) (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 53,041
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (CBS): Jack Whitaker (play-by-play), Tom Brookshier (color commentator) and Andy Musser (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
PHI	Passing	Pete Liske	6/9, 95 YDS, 1 TD
	Rushing	Sonny Davis	14 CAR, 47 YDS
	Receiving	Harold Jackson	2 REC, 47 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	12/24, 153 YDS, 1 TD, 4 INTs
	Rushing	Larry Brown	22 CAR, 43 YDS
	Receiving	Boyd Dowler	5 REC, 67 YDS

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP PHI WAS 3 Eagles Bull 12-yard touchdown reception from Liske, Feller kick good 7 0 4 Redskins McNeil 32-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 7 7 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 7 7

• Time of game:

Eagles	Game Statistics	Redskins
10	First downs	14
31–77	Rushes–yards	31–61
124	Passing yards	153
10–22–1	Passes	12–24–4
3–29	Sacked–yards	4–17
95	Net passing yards	136
172	Total yards	197
86	Return yards	108
7–37.4	Punts	5–43.8
2–0	Fumbles–lost	4–3
11–97	Penalties–yards	9–78

Week 9 (Sunday, November 14, 1971): at Chicago Bears

Week 9: Washington Redskins 15 at Chicago Bears 16 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins (6–2–1)	6	6	3	0	15
Bears (6–3)	0	3	3	10	16

at Soldier Field • Chicago, Illinois

• Date: November 14, 1971
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. EDT
• Game weather: 56 °F (13 °C); relative humidity 75%; wind 17 miles per hour (27 km/h; 15 kn) (Clear)
• Game attendance: 55,049
• Referee: Tommy Bell
• TV announcers (CBS): Jack Whitaker (play-by-play), Tom Brookshier (color commentator) and Bruce Roberts (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	20/30, 163 YDS
	Rushing	Tommy Mason	11 CAR, 42 YDS
	Receiving	Tommy Mason	9 REC, 79 YDS
CHI	Passing	Bobby Douglass	15/33, 214 YDS
	Rushing	Bobby Douglass	10 CAR, 88 YDS
	Receiving	Don Shy	5 CAR, 57 YDS

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS CHI 1 Redskins 30-yard field goal by Knight 3 0 1 Redskins 12-yard field goal by Knight 6 0 2 Bears 15-yard field goal by Percival 6 3 2 Redskins 37-yard field goal by Knight 9 3 2 Redskins 9-yard field goal by Knight 12 3 3 Redskins 27-yard field goal by Knight 15 3 3 Bears 42-yard field goal by Percival 15 6 4 Bears 9-yard field goal by Percival 15 9 4 Bears Pinder 40-yard touchdown run, Butkus kick good 15 16 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 15 16

• Time of game:

Redskins	Game Statistics	Bears
15	First downs	20
28–88	Rushes–yards	34–205
206	Passing yards	214
24–36–0	Passes	15–33–0
2–11	Sacked–yards	5–34
195	Net passing yards	180
283	Total yards	385
100	Return yards	57
5–32.8	Punts	4–40.3
0–0	Fumbles–lost	1–1
2–10	Penalties–yards	6–44

Week 10 (Sunday, November 21, 1971): vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 10: Dallas Cowboys 13 at Washington Redskins 0 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys (7–3)	7	0	3	3	13
Redskins (6–3–1)	0	0	0	0	0

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

• Date: November 21, 1971
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 41 °F (5 °C); relative humidity 65%; wind 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn) (Cloudy)
• Game attendance: 53,041
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV announcers (CBS): Frank Glieber (play-by-play), Eddie LeBaron (color commentator) and Frank Clarke (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DAL	Passing	Roger Staubach	11/21, 151 YDS
	Rushing	Duane Thomas	20 CAR, 53 YDS
	Receiving	Walt Garrison	4 REC, 48 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	10/16, 118 YDS
	Rushing	Larry Brown Charley Harraway	11 CAR, 27 YDS 9 CAR, 27 YDS
	Receiving	Boyd Dowler	5 REC, 52 YDS

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DAL WAS 1 Cowboys Staubach 1-yard touchdown run, Clark kick good 7 0 3 Cowboys 48-yard field goal by Clark 10 0 4 Cowboys 48-yard field goal by Clark 13 0 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 13 0

• Point spread: Redskins +1
• Time of game:

Cowboys	Game Statistics	Redskins
16	First downs	15
37–146	Rushes–yards	21–65
151	Passing yards	194
11–21–0	Passes	19–32–2
3–18	Sacked–yards	3–27
133	Net passing yards	167
279	Total yards	232
37	Return yards	101
4–38.0	Punts	4–43.3
2–1	Fumbles–lost	1–0
6–30	Penalties–yards	3–50

Individual stats

Redskins Passing
	C/ATT1	Yds	TD	INT	Sk	Yds	LG3	Rate
Kilmer	10/16	118	0	0	3	18	28	75.7
Jurgensen	9/16	76	0	2	1	8	15	29.2

Redskins Rushing
	Car2	Yds	TD	LG3
Brown	11	27	0	5
Harraway	9	27	0	9
Jurgensen	1	11	0	11

Redskins Receiving
	Rec4	Yds	TD	LG3
Dowler	5	52	0	17
Harraway	4	16	0	11
Jefferson	3	51	0	33
Brown	3	41	0	17
Mason	3	30	0	11
McNeil	1	4	0	4

Redskins Kick Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Duncan	2	54	27.0	0	0
Jaqua	1	16	16.0	0	0

Redskins Punt Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Duncan	2	31	15.5	0	0

Redskins Punting
	Pnt	Yds	Y/P	Lng	Blck
Bragg	4	173	43.3	50

Redskins Kicking
	XPM–XPA	FGM–FGA	MFG
Knight		0–1	22

Starting Lineups

Position	Starting Lineups: Week 10 – vs. Dallas
Offense
WR	Charley Taylor
LT	Jim Snowden
LG	Ray Schoenke
C	Len Hauss
RG	John Wilbur
RT	Walt Rock
TE	Jerry Smith
WR	Roy Jefferson
QB	Billy Kilmer
FB	Charley Harraway
RB	Larry Brown
Defense
LDE	Ron McDole
LDT	Manny Sistrunk
RDT	Diron Talbert
RDE	Verlon Biggs
LLB	Jack Pardee
MLB	Myron Pottios
RLB	Chris Hanburger
LCB	Pat Fischer
RCB	Mike Bass
SS	Jon Jaqua
FS	Brig Owens

Week 11 (Sunday, November 28, 1971): at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 11: Washington Redskins 20 at Philadelphia Eagles 13 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins (7–3–1)	0	13	0	7	20
Eagles (3–7–1)	0	0	6	7	13

at Veterans Stadium • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Date: November 28, 1971
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 43 °F (6 °C); relative humidity 70%; wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn) (Partly cloudy)
• Game attendance: 65,358
• Referee: Ben Dreith
• TV announcers (CBS): Jack Whitaker (play-by-play), Tom Brookshier (color commentator) and Andy Musser (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	7/13. 104 YDS, 1 TD
	Rushing	Charley Harraway	9 CAR, 47 YDS
	Receiving	Clifton McNeil	5 REC, 58 YDS
PHI	Passing	Pete Liske	13/28, 192 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Ronnie Bull	14 CAR, 73 YDS
	Receiving	Ben Hawkins	7 REC, 126 YDS

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS PHI 2 Redskins 40-yard field goal by Knight 3 0 2 Redskins 14-yard field goal by Knight 6 0 2 Redskins Jefferson 27-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 13 0 3 Eagles Bailey 1-yard touchdown run, Dempsey kick no good 13 6 4 — — — Redskins Interception returned 38 yards for touchdown by Bass, Knight kick good 20 7 4 Eagles Zabel 1-yard touchdown reception from Liske, Dempsey kick good 20 13 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 13

• Time of game:

Redskins	Game Statistics	Eagles
10	First downs	16
28–102	Rushes–yards	27–100
155	Passing yards	192
10–19–0	Passes	13–28–2
0–0	Sacked–yards	1–12
155	Net passing yards	180
257	Total yards	280
127	Return yards	120
4–43.5	Punts	6–40.2
4–2	Fumbles–lost	0–0
7–68	Penalties–yards	9–79

Week 12 (Sunday, December 5, 1971): vs. New York Giants

Week 12: New York Giants 7 at Washington Redskins 23 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants (4–8)	0	0	0	7	7
Redskins (8–3–1)	13	7	3	0	23

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

• Date: December 5, 1971
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 29 °F (−2 °C); relative humidity 86%; wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn); wind chill 21 °F (−6 °C)
• Game attendance: 53,041
• Referee: Bob Frederic
• TV announcers (CBS): Ray Scott (play-by-play), Pat Summerall (color commentator) and Bill Mazer (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NYG	Passing	Fran Tarkenton	15/31, 162 YDS, 4 INTs
	Rushing	Junior Coffey	9 CAR, 40 YDS
	Receiving	Bob Tucker	5 REC, 69 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	4/14, 54 YDS, 1 INT
	Rushing	Larry Brown	25 CAR, 129 YDS, 2 TDs
	Receiving	Jerry Smith	1 REC, 27 YDS

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NYG WAS 1 Redskins 28-yard field goal by Knight 0 3 1 Redskins 25-yard field goal by Knight 0 6 1 Redskins Brown 17-yard touchdown run, Knight kick good 0 13 2 Redskins Brown 2-yard touchdown run, Knight kick good 0 20 3 Redskins 44-yard field goal by Knight 0 23 4 — — — Giants Fumble recovery returned 0 yards for touchdown by Brown, Gogolak kick good 7 23 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 7 23

• Point spread: Redskins –7
• Time of game:

Giants	Game Statistics	Redskins
15	First downs	9
27–89	Rushes–yards	36–155
173	Passing yards	54
16–33–5	Passes	4–14–1
1–8	Sacked–yards	3–19
165	Net passing yards	35
254	Total yards	190
97	Return yards	163
3–37.0	Punts	4–28.8
2–0	Fumbles–lost	2–0
3–39	Penalties–yards	6–67

Individual stats

Redskins Passing
	C/ATT1	Yds	TD	INT	Sk	Yds	LG3	Rate
Kilmer	4/14	54	0	1	3	19	27	13.4

Redskins Rushing
	Car2	Yds	TD	LG3
Brown	25	129	2	34
Harraway	7	17	0	9
Brunet	2	6	0	5
Mason	1	3	0	3
Kilmer	1	0	0	0

Redskins Receiving
	Rec4	Yds	TD	LG3
Smith	1	27	0	27
Harraway	1	14	0	14
McNeil	1	13	0	13
Brown	1	0	0	0

Redskins Kick Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Duncan	2	52	26.0	0	0

Redskins Punt Returns
	Ret	Yds	Y/Rt	TD	Lng
Vactor	3	19	6.3	0	0

Redskins Punting
	Pnt	Yds	Y/P	Lng	Blck
Bragg	4	115	28.8	47

Redskins Kicking
	XPM–XPA	FGM–FGA	MFG
Knight	2–2	3–5

Redskins Interceptions
	Int	Yds	TD	LG	PD
Pottios	1	31	0	31
Bass	1	25	0	25
Owens	1	19	0	19
Hanburger	1	17	0	17
McDole	1	0	0	0

Starting Lineups

Position	Starting Lineups: Week 12 – vs. N.Y. Giants
Offense
WR	Charley Taylor
LT	Jim Snowden
LG	Ray Schoenke
C	Len Hauss
RG	John Wilbur
RT	Walt Rock
TE	Jerry Smith
WR	Roy Jefferson
QB	Billy Kilmer
FB	Charley Harraway
RB	Larry Brown
Defense
LDE	Ron McDole
LDT	Manny Sistrunk
RDT	Diron Talbert
RDE	Verlon Biggs
LLB	Jack Pardee
MLB	Myron Pottios
RLB	Chris Hanburger
LCB	Pat Fischer
RCB	Mike Bass
SS	Richie Petitbon
FS	Brig Owens

Week 13 (Monday, December 13, 1971): at Los Angeles Rams

Week 13: Washington Redskins 38 at Los Angeles Rams 24 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins (9–3–1)	7	17	7	7	38
Rams (7–5–1)	10	0	7	7	24

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, California

• Date: December 13, 1971
• Game time: 9:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C); relative humidity 68%; wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn) (Clear)
• Game attendance: 80,402
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play-by-play), Howard Cosell (color commentator) and Don Meredith (color commentator)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	14/19, 246 YDS, 3 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Larry Brown	27 CAR, 42 YDS, 1 TD
	Receiving	Roy Jefferson	8 REC, 137 YDS, 2 TDs
LA	Passing	Roman Gabriel	17/44, 219 YDS, 1 TD, 3 INTs
	Rushing	Larry Smith	13 CAR, 49 YDS
	Receiving	Larry Smith	6 REC, 48 YDS

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS LA 1 — — — Rams Interception returned 82 yards for touchdown by Alexander, Ray kick good 0 7 1 Redskins Jefferson 70-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 7 7 1 Ramss 32-yard field goal by Ray 7 10 3 Redskins 52-yard field goal by Knight 10 10 2 Redskins McNeil 32-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 17 10 2 Redskins Brown 1-yard touchdown run, Knight kick good 24 10 3 Redskins Jefferson 5-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 31 10 3 Rams Klein 3-yard touchdown reception from Gabriel, Ray kick good 31 17 4 Rams Ellison 2-yard touchdown run, Ray kick good 31 24 4 — — — Redskins Interception returned 46 yards for touchdown by Duncan, Knight kick good 38 24 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 38 24

• Time of game:

Redskins	Game Statistics	Rams
15	First downs	17
40–79	Rushes–yards	27–104
246	Passing yards	219
14–19–1	Passes	17–44–3
1–6	Sacked–yards	1–5
240	Net passing yards	214
319	Total yards	318
99	Return yards	145
5–43.8	Punts	4–39.3
2–2	Fumbles–lost	1–1
3–31	Penalties–yards	8–51

Week 14 (Sunday, December 19, 1971): vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 14: Cleveland Browns 20 at Washington Redskins 13 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Browns (9–5)	3	7	3	7	20
Redskins (9–4–1)	0	13	0	0	13

at RFK Stadium • Washington, D.C.

• Date: December 19, 1971
• Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 27 °F (−3 °C); relative humidity 66%; wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn); wind chill 18 °F (−8 °C) (Overcast)
• Game attendance: 53,041
• Referee: Norm Schachter
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play-by-play) and Johnny Morris (color commentator)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
CLE	Passing	Bill Nelsen	15/23, 165 YDS, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Leroy Kelly	18 CAR, 50 YDS
	Receiving	Milt Morin	3 REC, 40 YDS
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	18/33, 229 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INTs
	Rushing	Larry Brown	26 CAR, 81 YDS
	Receiving	Larry Brown	4 REC, 69 YDS, 1 TD

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP CLE WAS 1 Browns 30-yard field goal by Cockroft 3 0 2 Redskins 18-yard field goal by Knight 3 3 2 Browns Collins 17-yard touchdown reception from Nelsen, Cockroft kick good 10 3 2 Redskins Brown 29-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 10 10 2 Redskins 35-yard field goal by Knight 10 13 3 Browns 22-yard field goal by Cockroft 13 13 4 Browns Glass 4-yard touchdown reception from Nelsen, Cockroft kick good 20 13 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 13

• Time of game:

Browns	Game Statistics	Redskins
13	First downs	22
28–69	Rushes–yards	35–117
165	Passing yards	229
15–23–2	Passes	18–33–2
1–11	Sacked–yards	0–0
154	Net passing yards	229
223	Total yards	346
115	Return yards	186
4–37.3	Punts	1–46.0
1–0	Fumbles–lost	3–2
4–20	Penalties–yards	3–23

Stats

Passing

Passing
Player	Pos	G	GS	QBrec	Cmp	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	TD%	Int	Int%	Y/A	AY/A	Y/C	Y/G	Lng	Rate	Sk	Yds	NY/A	ANY/A	Sk%	4QC	GWD
Kilmer	QB	14	13	8–4–1	166	306	54.2	2221	13	4.2	13	4.2	71	7.3	6.2	13.4	158.6	74.0	16	110	5	6.56	5.55	1	0
Jurgensen	QB	5	1	1–0–0	16	28	57.1	170	0	0.0	2	7.1	30	6.1	2.9	10.6	34.0	45.2	1	8	3.4	5.59	2.48
Team Total		14		9–4–1	182	334	54.5	2391	13	3.9	15	4.5	71	7.2	5.9	13.1	170.8	71.6	17	118	4.8	6.48	5.29	1	0
Opp Total		14			191	411	46.5	2448	11	2.7	29	7.1		6.0	3.32	12.8	174.9	45.1	36	321	8.1	4.8	2.3

Rushing

Rushing
Player	Pos	G	GS	Att	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/A	Y/G	A/G
Brown	RB	13	13	253	948	4	34	3.7	72.9	19.5
Harraway	FB	14	14	156	635	2	57	4.1	45.4	11.1
Mason	RB	10	1	31	85	0	11	2.7	8.5	3.1
Jurgensen	QB	5	1	3	29	0	11	9.7	5.8	0.6
Burnet	RB	7	0	10	27	0	5	2.7	3.9	1.4
Jefferson	WR	14	14	2	13	0	13	6.5	0.9	0.1
Hull	RB	11	0	2	8	0	6	4.0	0.7	0.2
Kilmer	QB	14	13	17	5	2	3	0.3	0.4	1.2
Smith	TE	8	7	1	5	0	5	5.0	0.6	0.1
Wyche	QB	1	0	1	4	0	4	4.0	4.0	1.0
Petitbon	SS	14	13	1	–2	0	–2	–2.0	–0.1	0.1
Team Total		14		477	1757	8	57	3.7	125.5	34.1
Opp Total		14		408	1396	7		3.4	99.7	29.1

Receiving

Receiving
Player	Pos	G	GS	Rec	Yds	Y/R	TD	Lng	R/G	Y/G	Ctch%
Jefferson	WR	14	14	47	701	14.9	4	70	3.4	50.1	0.0%
Dowler	WR	12	7	26	352	13.5	0	30	2.2	29.3	0.0%
Taylor	WR	6	6	24	370	15.4	4	71	4.0	61.7	0.0%
Harraway	FB	14	14	20	121	6.1	0	20	1.4	8.6	0.0%
Smith	TE	8	7	16	227	14.2	1	31	2.0	28.4	0.0%
Brown	RB	13	13	16	176	11.0	2	36	1.2	13.5	0.0%
McNeil	WR	8	1	14	244	17.4	2	36	1.8	30.5	0.0%
Mason	RB	10	1	12	109	9.1	0	18	1.2	10.9	0.0%
Alston	TE	12	7	5	87	17.4	0	21	0.4	7.3	0.0%
Brunet	RB	7	0	2	4	2.0	0	5	0.3	0.6	0.0%
Team Total		14		182	2391	13.1	13	71	13.0	170.8
Opp Total		14		191	2127	11.1	11		13.6	151.9

Kicking

Kicking
		Games		0–19		20–29		30–39		40–49		50+		Scoring
Player	Pos	G	GS	FGA	FGM	FGA	FGM	FGA	FGM	FGA	FGM	FGA	FGM	FGA	FGM	Lng	FG%	XPA	XPM	XP%
Knight	K	14	0	12	10	9	6	14	8	11	3	3	2	49	29	52	59.2%	27	27	100.0%
Team Total		14		12	10	9	6	14	8	11	3	3	2	49	29		59.2%	27	27	100.0%
Opp Total		14												33	17		51.5%	20	19	95.0%

Punting

Punting
Player	Pos	G	GS	Pnt	Yds	Lng	Blck	Y/P
Bragg	P	14	0	58	2348	59	1	40.5
Team Total		14		58	2348	59	1	40.5
Opp Total		14		77	3172			41.2

Kick Return

Kick return
Player	Pos	G	GS	Rt	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/Rt
Duncan	DB	14	0	22	233	0	33	10.6
Vactor	DB	14	0	23	194	0	30	8.4
Team Total		14		45	427	0	33	9.5
Opp Total		14		17	87	0		5.1

Punt Return

Punt return
Player	Pos	G	GS	Ret	Yds	TD	Lng	Y/R
Duncan	DB	14	0	27	724	0	48	26.8
Jaqua	DB	14	1	6	78	0	19	13.0
McLinton	LB	14	0	5	46	0	13	9.2
Bass	RCB	14	14	4	61	0	26	15.3
Tillman	LB	9	0	1	4	0	4	4.0
Team Total		14		43	913	0	48	21.2
Opp Total		14		61	1066	0		17.5

Sacks

Sacks
Player	Pos	G	GS	Sk
Jones	DE	14	1	7.5
Biggs	RDE	13	13	5.0
Hanburger	RLB	14	14	5.0
Talbert	RDT	14	14	5.0
Brundige	DT	14	0	4.5
McDole	LDE	14	14	4.5
Sistrunk	LDT	14	14	3.0
Pardee	LLB	14	14	1.5
McLinton	LB	14	0	0.5
Pottios	MLB	14	14	0.5
Team Total		14		36
Opp Total		14		17

Interceptions

Interceptions
Player	Pos	G	GS	Int	Yds	TD	Lng	PD
Bass	RCB	14	14	8	78	1	38
Petitbon	SS	14	13	5	102	0	42
Pardee	LLB	14	14	5	58	1	20
Fischer	LCB	14	14	3	103	1	53
McDole	LDE	14	14	3	18	1	18
Owens	FS	14	14	2	27	0	19
Duncan	DB	14	0	1	46	1	46
Pottios	MLB	14	14	1	31	0	31
Hanburger	RLB	14	14	1	17	0	17
Team Total		14		29	480	5	53
Opp Total		14

Fumbles

Fumbles
Player	Pos	G	GS	FF	Fmb	FR	Yds	TD
Brown	RB	13	13		6	0	0	0
Vactor	DB	14	0		5	2	0	0
Duncan	DB	14	0		4	0	0	0
Harraway	FB	14	14		3	0	0	0
Kilmer	QB	14	13		2	2	–3	0
Mason	RB	10	1		2	1	0	0
Petitbon	SS	14	13		2	3	–6	0
Alston	TE	12	7		1	0	0	0
Brunet	RB	7	0		1	0	0	0
Dowler	WR	12	7		1	0	0	0
Jaqua	DB	14	1		1	0	0	0
Jurgensen	QB	5	1		1	0	0	0
McNeil	WR	8	1		1	0	0	0
Smith	TE	8	7		1	0	0	0
Tillman	LB	9	0		1	1	0	0
Laaveg	G	14	0		0	3	0	0
Hanburger	RLB	14	14		0	2	16	1
Bass	RCB	14	14		0	1	0	0
Hermiling	T	8	0		0	1	0	0
Knight	K	14	0		0	1	0	0
Pardee	LLB	14	14		0	1	0	0
Schoenke	LG	14	14		0	1	0	0
Sistrunk	LDT	14	14		0	1	0	0
Talbert	RDT	14	14		0	1	0	0
Taylor	WR	6	6		0	1	0	0
Wilbur	RG	14	14		0	1	0	0
Team Total		14			32	24	7	1
Opp Total		14			22	10		1

Tackles

Tackles
Player	Pos	G	GS	Comb	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sfty
Team Total		14
Opp Total		14

Scoring Summary

Scoring Summary
Player	Pos	G	GS	RshTD	RecTD	PR TD	KR TD	FblTD	IntTD	OthTD	AllTD	XPM	XPA	FGM	FGA	Sfty	Pts	Pts/G
Knight	K	14	0									27	27	29	49		114	8.1
Brown	RB	13	13	4	2						6						36	2.8
Jefferson	WR	14	14		4						4						24	1.7
Taylor	WR	6	6		4						4						24	4.0
Harraway	RB	14	14	2							2						12	0.9
Kilmer	QB	14	13	2							2						12	0.9
McNeil	WR	8	1		2						2						12	1.5
Bass	RCB	14	14						1		1						6	0.4
Duncan	DB	14	14						1		1						6	0.4
Fischer	LCB	14	14						1		1						6	0.4
Hanburger	RLB	14	14					1			1						6	0.4
McDole	LDE	14	14						1		1						6	0.4
Pardee	LLB	14	14						1		1						6	0.4
Smith	TE	8	7		1						1						6	0.8
Team Total		14		8	13			1	5		27	27	27	29	49		276
Opp Total		14		7	11			1	1		20	19	20	17	33		190

Team

Team
			Total Yds & TO					Passing							Rushing					Penalties
Player	PF	Yds	Ply	Y/P	TO	FL	1stD	Cmp	Att	Yds	TD	Int	NY/A	1stD	Att	Yds	TD	Y/A	1stD	Pen	Yds	1stPy
Team Stats	276	4030	828	4.9	35	20	212	182	334	2273	13	15	6.5	112	477	1757	8	3.7	77	80	801	23
Opp Stats	190	3523	855	4.1	41	12	213	191	411	2127	11	29	4.8	119	408	1396	7	3.4	73	93	720	21
Lg Rank Offense	12	13			11	22	17		19	10	17	8	5		12	14	21	20
Lg Rank Defense	4	4			6	20	17		24	12	5	1	4		5	4	3	4

Quarter-by-quarter

Quarter-by-quarter
Team	1	2	3	4	T
Redskins	77	103	36	60	276
Opponent	26	42	39	83	190

Postseason

Main article: 1971–72 NFL playoffs

Round	Date	Opponent	Time	TV	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance	Recap
Divisional	December 26	at San Francisco 49ers	4:00 p.m. EST	CBS	L 20–24	0–1	Candlestick Park	45,327	Recap

Richard Nixon play

There was a rumor that President Richard Nixon called a key play that caused the Redskins to lose to the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs. Nixon, a friend of George Allen, once attended a practice game where he tried the same play to much better results.

Playoff Game summaries

NFC Divisional Playoffs (Sunday, December 26, 1971): at San Francisco 49ers

NFC Divisional Playoffs: Washington Redskins 20 at San Francisco 49ers 24 – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins (9–5–1)	7	3	3	7	20
49ers (10–5)	0	3	14	7	24

at Candlestick Park • San Francisco, California

• Date: December 26, 1971
• Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
• Game weather: 44 °F (7 °C); relative humidity 82%; wind 14 miles per hour (23 km/h; 12 kn) (Overcast)
• Game attendance: 45,327
• Referee: Pat Haggerty
• TV announcers (CBS): Ray Scott (play-by-play), Pat Summerall (color commentator) and Bruce Roberts (studio reporter)

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing	Billy Kilmer	11/27, 106 YDS, 2 TDs, 1 INT
	Rushing	Larry Brown	27 CAR, 84 YDS
	Receiving	Larry Brown	6 REC, 62 YDS, 1 TD
SF	Passing	John Brodie	10/19, 176 YDS, 2 TDs
	Rushing	Vic Washington	16 CAR, 59 YDS
	Receiving	Ted Kwalick	3 REC, 26 YDS

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS SF 1 Redskins Smith 5-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 7 0 2 49ers 23-yard field goal by Gossett 7 3 2 Redskins 40-yard field goal by Knight 10 3 3 49ers Washington 78-yard touchdown reception from Brodie, Gossett kick good 10 10 3 49ers Windsor 2-yard touchdown reception from Brodie, Gossett kick good 10 17 3 Redskins 35-yard field goal by Knight 13 17 4 — — — 49ers Fumble recovery returned 0 yards for touchdown by Hoskins, Gossett kick good 13 24 4 Redskins Brown 16-yard touchdown reception from Kilmer, Knight kick good 20 24 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 24

• Point spread: Redskins +5½
• Time of game:

Redskins	Game Statistics	49ers
13	First downs	11
39–99	Rushes–yards	39–112
106	Passing yards	176
11–27–1	Passes	10–19–0
1–13	Sacked–yards	1–3
93	Net passing yards	163
192	Total yards	285
247	Return yards	109
5–46.2	Punts	10–33.7
3–2	Fumbles–lost	0–0
4–55	Penalties–yards	3–41

Further reading

• Brig Owens and Chuck Cascio, Over the Hill to the Superbowl. New York: Robert B. Luce, 1973.