1981 NFL season

American football season November 2013 March 2026 1981 San Francisco 49ers September 6 – December 21, 1981 December 27, 1981 Cincinnati Bengals San Francisco 49ers XVI January 24, 1982 Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan January 31, 1982 thumb|right|The 49ers playing against the Bengals in Super Bowl XVI. The 1981 NFL season was the 62nd regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVI when the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 26–21 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan. Draft The 1981 NFL draft was held from April 28 to 29, 1981, at New York City's Sheraton Hotel. With the first pick, the New Orleans Saints selected running back George Rogers from the University of South Carolina. New referee Cal Lepore, the line judge for Super Bowl III and referee for the Miracle at the Meadowlands, retired after the 1980 season. He would later become supervisor of officials in the United States Football League and a replay official in the NFL when it was adopted in 1986. Tom Dooley, who was assigned Super Bowl XV as line judge at the end of the 1981 season, was promoted to referee to replace Lepore. Major rule changes It is illegal for any player to put adhesive or slippery substances such as the product "Stickum" on his body, equipment or uniform. This rule is known as both the "Lester Hayes Rule" and the "Fred Biletnikoff Rule" since both players were notorious for using sticky substances to make it easier for them to intercept/catch passes. An offensive player who comes into the game wearing an illegal number for the position he takes must report to the referee before the start of the next play. The penalty for an ineligible receiver who touches a forward pass is a loss of down. The penalty for illegal use of hands, arms, or body (including holding) is reduced from 15 yards to 10 yards. The penalty for intentional grounding is modified: loss of down and 10 yards penalty from the previous spot, or if the foul occurs more than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage, loss of down at the spot of the foul. Officials began wearing numbers 21 through 25 within their position groups after going no higher than number 20 in 1979 and 1980. Deaths January 25 - Joe Kuharich, age 63. Played three seasons for the Chicago Cardinals. Later went on to be the head coach of the Cardinals, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles and was also the General Manager for the Eagles from 1965-68. April 28 - Cliff Battles, age 70. Running back for the Boston Braves, which later became the Washington Redskins. Elected to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 1968. July 1, 1981: Linebacker Rusty Chambers, the Miami Dolphins leading tackler in 1978 and 1979, died in an automobile accident.100 Things Dolphins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Armando Salguero, Triumph Books, Chicago, 2020, ISBN 978-1-62937-722-3, p.185 Regular season Scheduling formula     Inter-conference AFC East vs NFC East AFC Central vs NFC West AFC West vs NFC Central Division races From 1970 to 2001, there were three divisions (Eastern, Central and Western) in each conference. The winners of each division, and a fourth "wild card" team based on the best non-division winner, qualified for the playoffs. The tiebreaker rules were changed to start with head-to-head competition, followed by division records, records against common opponents, and records in conference play. National Football Conference Week1981 NFL Standings Through Week 1 https://champsorchumps.us/summary/nfl/1981/through-week-1 2024-03-17 champsorchumps.us en March 17, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240317135802/https://champsorchumps.us/summary/nfl/1981/through-week-1 live Eastern Central Western Wild Card (Home) Wild Card (Road) 1 Philadelphia, Dallas 1–0–0 Detroit, Green Bay, Tampa Bay 1–0–0 Atlanta 1–0–0 6 teams 1–0–0 6 teams 1–0–0 2 Philadelphia, Dallas 2–0–0 Detroit, Green Bay, Tampa Bay 1–1–0 Atlanta 2–0–0 6 teams 1–1–0 6 teams 1–1–0 3 Philadelphia, Dallas 3–0–0 All Five Teams 1–2–0 Atlanta 3–0–0 NY Giants 2–1–0 8 teams 1-2-0 4 Philadelphia, Dallas 4–0–0 Detroit, Minnesota, Tampa Bay 2–2–0 Atlanta 3–1–0 6 teams 2–2–0 6 teams 2–2–0 5 Philadelphia 5–0–0 Minnesota, Tampa Bay 3–2–0 Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco 3–2–0 Dallas 4–1–0 5 teams 3-2-0 6 Philadelphia 6–0–0 Minnesota, Tampa Bay 4–2–0 Los Angeles, San Francisco 4–2–0 Dallas, Minnesota 4–2–0 San Francisco, Los Angeles 4–2–0 7 Philadelphia 6–1–0 Minnesota 5–2–0 San Francisco 5–2–0 Dallas 5–2–0 3 teams 4-3-0 8 Philadelphia 7–1–0 Minnesota 5–3–0 San Francisco 6–2–0 Dallas 6–2–0 N.Y. Giants 5-3-0 9 Philadelphia, Dallas 7–2–0 Minnesota, Tampa Bay 5–4–0 San Francisco 7–2–0 Philadelphia, Dallas 6–3–0 Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minnesota, N.Y. Giants, Tampa Bay 5-4-0 10 Philadelphia, Dallas 8–2–0 Minnesota 6–4–0 San Francisco 8–2–0 Philadelphia, Dallas 7–3–0 Atlanta, Los Angeles, N.Y. Giants, Tampa Bay 5–5–0 11 Philadelphia 9–2–0 Minnesota 7–4–0 San Francisco 8–3–0 Dallas 8–3–0 7 teams 5-6-0 12 Philadelphia, Dallas 9–3–0 Minnesota 7–5–0 San Francisco 9–3–0 Philadelphia, Dallas 9–3–0 Atlanta, Detroit, N.Y. Giants, Tampa Bay 6-6-0 13 Dallas 10–3–0 Detroit, Minnesota, Tampa Bay 7–6–0 San Francisco 10–3–0 Philadelphia 9–4–0 Atlanta, Detroit, Minnesota, Tampa Bay 7–6–0 14 Dallas 11–3–0 Tampa Bay 8–6–0 San Francisco 11–3–0 Philadelphia 9–5–0 Atlanta, Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, N.Y. Giants, St. Louis 7–7–0 15 Dallas 12–3–0 Detroit, Minnesota, Tampa Bay 8–7–0 San Francisco 12–3–0 Philadelphia 9–6–0 Detroit, Green Bay, N.Y. Giants, Tampa Bay 8–7–0 16Dallas 12–4–0Tampa Bay 9–7–0San Francisco 13–3–0Philadelphia 10–6–0NY Giants 9–7–0 American Football Conference Week1981 NFL Standings Through Week 1 https://champsorchumps.us/summary/nfl/1981/through-week-1 2024-03-17 champsorchumps.us en March 17, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240317135802/https://champsorchumps.us/summary/nfl/1981/through-week-1 live Eastern Central Western Wild Card (Home) Wild Card (Road) 1 Baltimore, Buffalo, Miami 1–0–0 Cincinnati, Houston 1–0–0 Denver, Kansas City, San Diego 1–0–0 7 teams 1–0–0 7 teams 1–0–0 2 Miami 2–0–0 Cincinnati, Houston 2–0–0 Kansas City, San Diego 2–0–0 6 teams 2–0–0 6 teams 2–0–0 3 Miami 3–0–0 Cincinnati, Houston 2–1–0 San Diego 3–0–0 6 teams 2–1–0 6 teams 2–1–0 4 Miami 4–0–0 Cincinnati 3–1–0 Denver, Kansas City, San Diego 3–1–0 Denver, Kansas City, San Diego 3–1–0 Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Houston, Oakland 2–2–0 5 Miami 4–0–1 Cincinnati, Houston, Pittsburgh 3–2–0 Denver, San Diego 4–1–0 Denver, San Diego 4–1–0 Buffalo, Cincinnati, Houston, Kansas City, Pittsburgh 3-2-0 6 Miami 4–1–1 Cincinnati, Pittsburgh 4–2–0 Denver 5–1–0 Buffalo 4–2–0 Houston, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Kansas City 4-2-0 7 Miami 5–1–1 Cincinnati 5–2–0 Denver, Kansas City, San Diego 5–2–0 Denver, Kansas City, San Diego 5–2–0 Buffalo, Houston, Kansas City, Pittsburgh 4-3-0 8 Miami 5–2–1 Cincinnati, Pittsburgh 5–3–0 Kansas City 6–2–0 Buffalo 5–3–0 Cincinnati, Denver, Pittsburgh 5-3-0 9 Miami 6–2–1 Cincinnati 6–3–0 Denver, Kansas City, San Diego 6–3–0 Buffalo 6–3–0 Denver, Kansas City, San Diego 6-3-0 10 Miami 7–2–1 Cincinnati 7–3–0 Denver 7–3–0 San Diego 6–4–0 Buffalo, Kansas City 6–4–0 11 Miami 7–3–1 Cincinnati 8–3–0 Denver, Kansas City 7–4–0 Denver, Kansas City 7–4–0 N.Y. Jets 6–4–1 12 Miami, N.Y. Jets 7–4–1 Cincinnati 9–3–0 Denver, Kansas City 8–4–0 Denver, Kansas City 8–4–0 Miami, N.Y. Jets 7–4–1 13 Miami, N.Y. Jets 8–4–1 Cincinnati 10–3–0 Denver, Kansas City, San Diego 8–5–0 Miami, N.Y. Jets 8–4–1 Buffalo, Denver, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, San Diego 8–5–0 14 Miami 9–4–1 Cincinnati 10–4–0 Denver 9–5–0 Buffalo 9–5–0 N.Y. Jets 8–5–1 15 Miami 10–4–1 Cincinnati 11–4–0 Denver 10–5–0 Buffalo 10–5–0 N.Y. Jets 9–5–1 16Miami 11–4–1Cincinnati 12–4–0San Diego 10–6–0NY Jets 10–5–1Buffalo 10–6–0 Final standings Tiebreakers Baltimore finished ahead of New England in the AFC East based on head-to-head sweep (2–0). San Diego finished ahead of Denver in the AFC West based on better division record (6–2 to Broncos' 5–3). Buffalo was the second AFC Wild Card based on head-to-head victory over Denver (1–0). Detroit finished ahead of Green Bay in the NFC Central based on better record against common opponents (4–4 to Packers' 3–5). Playoffs 1981–82 NFL playoffs Records, milestones, and notable statistics Records set Most Passes Attempted, Season, 709 Minnesota Vikings Most Punts, Season, 114 Chicago Bears Most Yards, Punt Returns, Both Teams, Game, 282 Los Angeles Rams (219) vs Atlanta Falcons (63), Oct 11, 1981 Records tied Most Touchdowns, Passing, Single Team, Game, 7 San Diego Chargers (vs Oakland Raiders) Nov 22, 1981 Most Touchdowns, Punt Returns, Single Team, Game, 2 Los Angeles Rams (vs Atlanta Falcons) Oct 11, 1981 Baltimore Colts defense The 1981 Baltimore Colts were one of the worst defenses in NFL history; they set five dubious defensive records: Most Points Allowed, Season, 533 Most Touchdowns Allowed, Season, 68 Most First Downs Allowed Season, 406 Most Yards Allowed, Season, 6,793 Fewest Punt Returns, Season, 12 Statistical leaders Team Points scoredSan Diego Chargers (478)Total yards gainedSan Diego Chargers (6,744)Yards rushingDetroit Lions (2,795)Yards passingSan Diego Chargers (4,739)Fewest points allowedPhiladelphia Eagles (221)Fewest total yards allowedPhiladelphia Eagles (4,447)Fewest rushing yards allowedDetroit Lions (1,623)Fewest passing yards allowedPhiladelphia Eagles (2,696) Awards Most Valuable PlayerKen Anderson, quarterback, CincinnatiCoach of the YearBill Walsh, San FranciscoOffensive Player of the YearKen Anderson, quarterback, CincinnatiDefensive Player of the YearLawrence Taylor, linebacker, NY GiantsOffensive Rookie of the YearGeorge Rogers, running back, New OrleansDefensive Rookie of the YearLawrence Taylor, linebacker, NY GiantsMan of the YearLynn Swann, wide receiver, PittsburghComeback Player of the YearKen Anderson, quarterback, CincinnatiSuper Bowl Most Valuable PlayerJoe Montana, quarterback, San Francisco Coaching changes Denver Broncos: Dan Reeves replaced the fired Red Miller. Houston Oilers: Bum Phillips was fired and replaced by Ed Biles. New Orleans Saints: Bum Phillips joined the Saints after being fired by the Oilers. Dick Nolan was fired after a 0–12 start in 1980, and Dick Stanfel took over as interim. Washington Redskins: Joe Gibbs replaced Jack Pardee. Stadium changes The home of the San Diego Chargers, San Diego Stadium, was renamed Jack Murphy Stadium in memory of local sportswriter Jack Murphy Uniform changes The Cincinnati Bengals made significant modifications to their uniforms for the first time since the team's debut in 1968, discontinuing the design similar to the Cleveland Browns' jerseys. Orange and black tiger stripes adorned the shoulder stripes of the jersey and the side striping of the pants. Black tiger stripes were also added to the orange helmets, replacing the Bengals wordmark. The Dallas Cowboys darkened the shade of their blue jerseys from royal to navy blue, with the numerals becoming silver. The Cowboys wore this blue jersey through 1994. The Houston Oilers resumed wearing blue pants with their white jerseys after a one-season hiatus; in addition, the team also changed their face masks from gray to red. The Los Angeles Rams switched from gray to navy blue face masks. Television This was the fourth and final year under the league's broadcast contracts with ABC, CBS, and NBC to televise Monday Night Football, the NFC package, and the AFC package, respectively. The league then negotiated to have all three networks renew their deals for another five years.Brulia Tim 2004 A CHRONOLOGY OF PRO FOOTBALL ON TELEVISION: Part 3 http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/26-05-1045.pdf Pro Football Researchers August 30, 2022 September 8, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150908075929/http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/26-05-1045.pdf live John Madden became the lead color commentator for CBS, replacing Tom Brookshier who moved into a play-by-play role. However CBS Sports executives debated on whether Madden should be paired with incumbent lead play-by-play announcer Pat Summerall or should #2 announcer Vin Scully be promoted to the role. To resolve the situation, both Scully and Summerall were paired with Madden in four-week stretches. Scully was paired with Madden during the first four weeks of the season while Summerall was primarily covering the US Open Tennis Championships. Then Summerall called games with Madden while Scully covered the Major League Baseball playoffs for CBS Radio. After the eighth week of the NFL season, CBS Sports executives decided that Summerall had better chemistry with Madden than Scully did. Scully was later assigned as a consolation prize the NFC Championship Game. After the season, he would move to NBC to cover Major League Baseball and golf, but he decided to never call NFL games again.https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/24/sports/baseball/vin-scully-nfl-pat-summerall-john-madden.html The Day Vin Scully Didn't Land That N.F.L. Broadcasting Job Weintraub Rob The New York Times May 23, 2016 August 30, 2022 August 27, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220827040406/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/24/sports/baseball/vin-scully-nfl-pat-summerall-john-madden.html live Regular season game not broadcast by Network TV DateTimeTeamsLocal TVAnnouncersSeptember 5, 19818:00 PM EDTMinnesota @ Tampa BayKSTP-TV (Minnesota)WTOG-TV (Tampa Bay) References 1981 NFL Standings Week by Week https://champsorchumps.us/summary/nfl/1981/through-week-1 17 March 2024 champsorchumps.us en 17 March 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240317135802/https://champsorchumps.us/summary/nfl/1981/through-week-1 live NFL Record and Fact Book (1-932994-36-X) NFL History 1981–1990 https://web.archive.org/web/20081006014832/http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1981-1990 October 6, 2008 (Last accessed December 4, 2005) Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (0-06-270174-6) Category:NFL seasons National Football League