1971 Cincinnati Bengals season
The 1971 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 2nd season in the National Football League, and the 4th overall. Cornerback Lemar Parrish set a team record with seven interceptions, including one for a 65-yard score, Cincinnati's first-ever interception return for a touchdown. The Bengals, coming off their first division-winning season of 1970, drafted quarterback Ken Anderson in the third round of the 1971 NFL Draft. Anderson would go on to play 16 seasons for the club and set numerous team passing records.
While 1971 proved to be a disappointment, losing six games by four points or less, statistically this was the first year the Bengals led their opponents in almost every category, including point differential ; Cincinnati's winning percentage is the lowest in NFL history by a team with a positive point differential.
Regular season
Team stats
| Score by Periods | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Tot |
| Bengals | 58 | 64 | 91 | 71 | 284 |
| Opponents | 44 | 71 | 48 | 102 | 265 |
Team leaders
- Passing: Virgil Carter
- Rushing: Fred Willis
- Receiving: Bob Trumpy
- Scoring: Horst Muhlmann, 91 points