1961 Houston Oilers

The 1961 Houston Oilers season was their second. For the second consecutive season, the Oilers scored a triumph in the AFL Championship over the San Diego Chargers.

The '61 Oilers started slow, with a 1-3-1 record. After a Week Five tie with the Boston Patriots, head coach Lou Rymkus was fired by owner Bud Adams. Wally Lemm was hired, and the team proceeded to go undefeated for the remainder of the season, including the Championship game.

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.

Offseason
On January 14, Chicago Bears End Willard Dewveall played out his option and joined the Houston Oilers. He became the first player to move deliberately from one league to another.

AFL Draft

 * Houston Oilers draft picks (Selected eighth)

AFL Championship Game

 * 1961 Championship

Houston Oilers 10, San Diego Chargers 3
 * December 24, 1961 at Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California Attendance: 29,556

Scoring
 * HOU – Field goal Blanda 46
 * HOU – Cannon 35 pass from Blanda (Blanda kick)
 * SD – Field goal Blair 12