z: best record, c: conference winner, y: division winner, w: wildcard, x: clinched playoff spot
The 1961 St. Louis Cardinals, coached by Pop Ivy (5-7-0) and Chuck Drulis (2-0-0) and Ray Prochaska (2-0-0) and Ray Willsey (2-0-0), missed the playoffs after finishing the NFL regular season in 4th place in the Eastern Conference with a 7-7 record.