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1961 Denver Broncos season

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1961 Denver Broncos season
General managerDean Griffing
Head coachFrank Filchock
Home fieldBears Stadium
Results
Record3–11
Division place3rd AFL Western
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1961 Denver Broncos season was the team's second year in the American Football League. Led by head coach Frank Filchock, the Broncos recorded three wins and eleven losses, finishing third in the AFL's Western Division.

The 1961 Broncos set a modern pro football record with 68 giveaways, more than any other team in AFL or NFL history.[1]

Offseason

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Draft

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Main article: 1961 American Football League Draft
1961 Denver Broncos draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 4 Bob Gaiters  HB New Mexico State Signed with New York Giants (NFL)
2 11 Jerry Hill  RB Wyoming Signed with Baltimore Colts (NFL)
3 20 Bo Strange  C LSU
4 26 Sonny Davis  LB Baylor Signed with Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
4 27 Ron McDole  DE Nebraska Signed with St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)
5 36 Charlie Cowan  T New Mexico Highlands Signed with Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
6 43 Dale Evans  HB Kansas State
7 49 Pat Patchen  E Florida
9 65 Phil Nugent  DB Tulane
10 73 Charley Sturgeon  HB Kentucky
11 81 John Simko  E Augustana
12 89 Jerry Miller  E Howard Payne
13 97 Ron Greene  G Washington State
14 105 Bill Cooper  FB Muskingum Signed with San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
15 113 Willie Crafts  G Texas A&I
16 121 Jim Larkin  T Hillsdale
17 129 Chuck Weiss  FB Colorado
18 137 Chick Graning  HB Georgia Tech
19 145 John Hobbs  G Maryland State
20 153 Buck McLeod  T Baylor
21 161 Jim Morgan  HB Iowa State
22 169 Tom Hackler  E Tennessee Tech
23 177 Tom Jewel  T Idaho State
24 185 E. A. Sims  E New Mexico State
25 193 Pete Samms  T Central State (OK)
26 201 Sam Smith  HB North Alabama
27 209 Don Olson  HB Nebraska
28 217 Wayne Lee  G Colorado State
29 225 Archie Cobb  T Nebraska
30 233 Dave Mills  HB Northeast Missouri State
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[2]

Staff

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1961 Denver Broncos staff
Head coach

Assistant coaches

Regular season

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Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 10 at Buffalo Bills W 22–10 1–0 War Memorial Stadium 16,636 Recap
2 September 16 at Boston Patriots L 17–45 1–1 Boston University Field 14,479 Recap
3 September 24 at New York Titans L 28–35 1–2 Polo Grounds 14,381 Recap
4 October 1 at Oakland Raiders L 19–33 1–3 Candlestick Park 8,361 Recap
5 October 8 Dallas Texans L 12–19 1–4 Bears Stadium 14,500 Recap
6 October 15 Oakland Raiders W 27–24 2–4 Bears Stadium 11,129 Recap
7 October 22 New York Titans W 27–10 3–4 Bears Stadium 12,508 Recap
8 October 29 at San Diego Chargers L 0–37 3–5 Balboa Stadium 32,584 Recap
9 November 5 Houston Oilers L 14–55 3–6 Bears Stadium 11,564 Recap
10 November 12 San Diego Chargers L 16–19 3–7 Bears Stadium 7,859 Recap
11 November 19 Buffalo Bills L 10–23 3–8 Bears Stadium 7,645 Recap
12 November 26 at Houston Oilers L 14–45 3–9 Jeppesen Stadium 27,874 Recap
13 December 3 Boston Patriots L 24–28 3–10 Bears Stadium 9,303 Recap
14 December 10 at Dallas Texans L 21–49 3–11 Cotton Bowl 8,000 Recap
15 Bye
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings

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AFL Western Division
W L T PCT DIV PF PA STK
San Diego Chargers 12 2 0 .857 6–0 396 219 L1
Dallas Texans 6 8 0 .429 4–2 334 343 W2
Denver Broncos 3 11 0 .214 1–5 251 432 L7
Oakland Raiders 2 12 0 .143 1–5 237 458 L6

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

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  1. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1940 to 2012, in the regular season, sorted by descending Turnovers.
  2. ^ "1961 Denver Broncos Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
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