NFL team season
The 1971 St. Louis Cardinals season was the 52nd season the team was in the National Football League and twelfth in St. Louis . Led by first-year head coach Bob Hollway , the Cardinals failed to improve on their previous year's 8–5–1 record, winning only four games.[ 1] They failed to reach the playoffs for the 23rd straight season, their previous appearance was in 1948 in the championship game .
This was the last season the team was co-owned by Charles Bidwill, Jr.; he sold his share to his younger brother Bill in September 1972 .[ 2] The adopted sons of Charles and Violet Bidwill ,[ 3] [ 4] the two had co-owned the team since their mother's death in January 1962 .[ 5]
Hired in February, Hollway was previously the defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings under head coach Bud Grant .[ 6] [ 7]
Roster
St. Louis Cardinals roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
rookies in italics
Schedule
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
1
September 19
Washington Redskins
L 17–24
0–1
Busch Memorial Stadium
46,805
2
New York Jets
W 17–10
1–1
Busch Memorial Stadium
50,358
3
October 3
New York Giants
L 20–21
1–2
Busch Memorial Stadium
49,571
4
October 10
at Atlanta Falcons
W 26–9
2–2
Atlanta Stadium
58,850
5
October 17
at Washington Redskins
L 0–20
2–3
RFK Stadium
53,041
6
October 24
San Francisco 49ers
L 14–26
2–4
Busch Memorial Stadium
50,419
7
October 31
at Buffalo Bills
W 28–23
3–4
War Memorial Stadium
40,040
8
November 7
Dallas Cowboys
L 13–16
3–5
Busch Memorial Stadium
50,486
9
at San Diego Chargers
L 17–20
3–6
San Diego Stadium
46,486
10
November 21
Philadelphia Eagles
L 20–37
3–7
Busch Memorial Stadium
48,658
11
November 28
at New York Giants
W 24–7
4–7
Yankee Stadium
62,878
12
December 5
Green Bay Packers
T 16–16
4–7–1
Busch Memorial Stadium
50,443
13
December 12
at Philadelphia Eagles
L 7–19
4–8–1
Veterans Stadium
65,358
14
at Dallas Cowboys
L 12–31
4–9–1
Texas Stadium
66,672
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Standings
Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.
References
^ 1971 St. Louis Cardinals
^ "Bill Bidwill sole owner of Cards" . Southeast Missorian . Cape Girardeau. Associated Press. September 12, 1972. p. 8.
^ Howard, Robert (February 2, 1963). "Court rules for Bidwills" . Chicago Daily Tribune . p. 1, part 4.
^ "High court rules in favor of sons" . Milwaukee Journal . Associated Press. February 2, 1963. p. 2, part 2.
^ "Mrs. Wolfner, Cardinals' owner, dies" . Chicago Daily Tribune . Associated Press. January 30, 1962. p. 1, part 3.
^ "Bob Hollway to head Cardinals" . Southeast Missourian . (Cape Girardeau). Associated Press. February 13, 1971. p. 4.
^ "Cards hire Viking aide" . Pittsburgh Press . UPI. February 13, 1971. p. 6.
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Division championships (7) Conference championships (1) League championships (2) Retired numbers Current league affiliations
Played in Chicago (1920–1959), St. Louis (1960–1987), and formerly the Phoenix Cardinals (1988–1993)