1961 Houston Oilers season
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.
| 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 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, 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). They also set an American Football League record with a +271 point differential, by allowing only 242 points. The 1961 Oilers are the only team in AFL or NFL history to score 45 points or more six times in a single season.