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1981 NFL season

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1981 NFL season
Regular season
DurationSeptember 6 – December 21, 1981
Playoffs
Start dateDecember 27, 1981
AFC ChampionsCincinnati Bengals
NFC ChampionsSan Francisco 49ers
Super Bowl XVI
DateJanuary 24, 1982
SitePontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan
ChampionsSan Francisco 49ers
Pro Bowl
DateJanuary 31, 1982
SiteAloha Stadium
1981 NFL season is located in the United States
Colts
Colts
Patriots
Patriots
Bills
Bills
Dolphins
Dolphins
Jets
Jets
Bengals
Bengals
Browns
Browns
Oilers
Oilers
Steelers
Steelers
Broncos
Broncos
Chiefs
Chiefs
Raiders
Raiders
Chargers
Chargers
Seahawks
Seahawks
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AFC teams: West, Central, East
1981 NFL season is located in the United States
Cowboys
Cowboys
Giants
Giants
Eagles
Eagles
Cardinals
Cardinals
Redskins
Redskins
Bears
Bears
Lions
Lions
Packers
Packers
Vikings
Vikings
Buccaneers
Buccaneers
Falcons
Falcons
Rams
Rams
Saints
Saints
49ers
49ers
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NFC teams: West, Central, East
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

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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

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Cal Lepore, the line judge for Super Bowl III and referee for the Miracle at the Meadowlands, retired prior to 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

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  • 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

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  • July 1, 1981: Linebacker Rusty Chambers, the Miami Dolphins leading tackler in 1978 and 1979, died in an automobile accident. [1]

Regular season

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Scheduling formula

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    Inter-conference
AFC East vs NFC East
AFC Central vs NFC West
AFC West vs NFC Central

Division races

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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

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Week[2] Eastern Central Western Wild Card (Home) Wild Card (Road)
1 Philadelphia, Dallas 1–0–0 Det, GB, TB 1–0–0 Atlanta 1–0–0 6 teams 1–0–0 6 teams 1–0–0
2 Philadelphia, Dallas 2–0–0 Det, GB, TB 1–1–0 Atlanta 2–0–0 Six teams 1–1–0 Six 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 Other Teams 1-2-0
4 Philadelphia, Dallas 4–0–0 Det, Min, TB 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, LA, SF 3–2–0 Dallas 4–1–0 5 Other Teams 3-2-0
6 Philadelphia 6–0–0 Minnesota, Tampa Bay 4–2–0 LA, San Fran 4–2–0 Dallas, Minnesota 4–2–0 San Fran, LA 4–2–0
7 Philadelphia 6–1–0 Minnesota 5–2–0 San Fran 5–2–0 Dallas 5–2–0 3 Other Teams 4-3-0
8 Philadelphia 7–1–0 Minnesota 5–3–0 San Fran 6–2–0 Dallas 6–2–0 NY Giants 5-3-0
9 Philadelphia, Dallas 7–2–0 Minnesota, Tampa Bay 5–4–0 San Fran 7–2–0 Philadelphia, Dallas 6–3–0 Atl, LA, Min, NYG, TB 5-4-0
10 Philadelphia, Dallas 8–2–0 Minnesota 6–4–0 San Fran 8–2–0 Philadelphia, Dallas 7–3–0 Atl, LA, NYG, TB 5–5–0
11 Philadelphia 9–2–0 Minnesota 7–4–0 San Fran 8–3–0 Dallas 8–3–0 7 teams 5-6-0
12 Philadelphia, Dallas 9–3–0 Minnesota 7–5–0 San Fran 9–3–0 Philadelphia, Dallas 9–3–0 Atl, Det, NYG, TB 6-6-0
13 Dallas 10–3–0 Det, Min, TB 7–6–0 San Fran 9–4–0 Philadelphia 9–4–0 Atl, Det, Min, TB 7–6–0
14 Dallas 11–3–0 Tampa Bay 8–6–0 San Fran 10–4–0 Philadelphia 9–5–0 Atl, Det, GB, Min, NYG, StL 7–7–0
15 Dallas 12–3–0 Det, Min, TB 8–7–0 San Fran 12–3–0 Philadelphia 9–6–0 Det, GB, NYG, TB 8–7–0
16 Dallas 12–4–0 Tampa Bay 9–7–0 San Fran 13–3–0 Philadelphia 10–6–0 NY Giants 9–7–0

American Football Conference

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Week[3] Eastern Central Western Wild Card (Home) Wild Card (Road)
1 Baltimore, Buffalo, Miami 1–0–0 Cincinnati, Houston 1–0–0 Denver, KC, SD 1–0–0 7 teams 1–0–0 7 teams 1–0–0
2 Miami 2–0–0 Cincinnati, Houston 2–0–0 KC, SD 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, KC, SD 3–1–0 Denver, KC, SD 3–1–0 Buf, Cle, Pit, Hou, Oak 2–2–0
5 Miami 4–0–1 Cincinnati, Houston, Pittsburgh 3–2–0 Denver, SD 4–1–0 Denver, SD 4–1–0 Buf, Cin, Hou, KC, Pit 3-2-0
6 Miami 4–1–1 Cincinnati, Pittsburgh 4–2–0 Denver 5–1–0 Buffalo 4–2–0 Hou, Pit, SD, KC 4-2-0
7 Miami 5–1–1 Cincinnati 5–2–0 Denver, KC, SD 5–2–0 Denver, KC, SD 5–2–0 Buf, Hou, KC, Pit 4-3-0
8 Miami 5–2–1 Cincinnati, Pittsburgh 5–3–0 Kansas City 6–2–0 Buffalo 5–3–0 Cin, Den, Pit 5-3-0
9 Miami 6–2–1 Cincinnati 6–3–0 Denver, KC, SD 6–3–0 Buffalo 6–3–0 Denver, KC, SD 6-3-0
10 Miami 7–2–1 Cincinnati 7–3–0 Denver 7–3–0 San Diego 6–4–0 Buffalo, KC 6–4–0
11 Miami 7–3–1 Cincinnati 8–3–0 Denver, KC 7–4–0 Denver, KC 7–4–0 NY Jets 6–4–1
12 Miami, NY Jets 7–4–1 Cincinnati 9–3–0 Denver, KC 8–4–0 Denver, KC 8–4–0 Miami, NY Jets 7–4–1
13 Miami, NY Jets 8–4–1 Cincinnati 10–3–0 Denver, KC, SD 8–5–0 Miami, NY Jets 8–4–1 Buf, Den, KC, Pit, SD 8–5–0
14 Miami 9–4–1 Cincinnati 10–4–0 Denver 9–5–0 Buffalo 9–5–0 NY Jets 8–5–1
15 Miami 10–4–1 Cincinnati 11–4–0 Denver 10–5–0 Buffalo 10–5–0 NY Jets 9–5–1
16 Miami 11–4–1 Cincinnati 12–4–0 San Diego 10–6–0 NY Jets 10–5–1 Buffalo 10–6–0

1981 Final Standings

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Tiebreakers

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  • 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

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Main article: 1981–82 NFL playoffs
Jan 2 – Texas Stadium
3 Tampa Bay 0
Dec 27 – Veterans Stadium Jan 10 – Candlestick Park
2 Dallas 38
NFC
5 NY Giants 27 2 Dallas 27
Jan 3 – Candlestick Park
4 Philadelphia 21 1 San Francisco 28
NFC Championship
5 NY Giants 24
Jan 24 – Pontiac Silverdome
1 San Francisco 38
Divisional playoffs
Wild Card playoffs N1 San Francisco 26
Jan 2 – Miami Orange Bowl
A1 Cincinnati 21
Super Bowl XVI
3 San Diego 41*
Dec 27 – Shea Stadium Jan 10 – Riverfront Stadium
2 Miami 38
AFC
5 Buffalo 31 3 San Diego 7
Jan 3 – Riverfront Stadium
4 NY Jets 27 1 Cincinnati 27
AFC Championship
5 Buffalo 21
1 Cincinnati 28


* Indicates OT victory
This box:

Records, milestones, and notable statistics

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Records Set

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  • 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

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  • 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

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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

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Team

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Points scored San Diego Chargers (478)
Total yards gained San Diego Chargers (6,744)
Yards rushing Detroit Lions (2,795)
Yards passing San Diego Chargers (4,739)
Fewest points allowed Philadelphia Eagles (221)
Fewest total yards allowed Philadelphia Eagles (4,447)
Fewest rushing yards allowed Detroit Lions (1,623)
Fewest passing yards allowed Philadelphia Eagles (2,696)

Awards

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Most Valuable Player Ken Anderson, quarterback, Cincinnati
Coach of the Year Bill Walsh, San Francisco
Offensive Player of the Year Ken Anderson, quarterback, Cincinnati
Defensive Player of the Year Lawrence Taylor, linebacker, NY Giants
Offensive Rookie of the Year George Rogers, running back, New Orleans
Defensive Rookie of the Year Lawrence Taylor, linebacker, NY Giants
Man of the Year Lynn Swann, wide receiver, Pittsburgh
Comeback Player of the Year Ken Anderson, quarterback, Cincinnati
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Joe Montana, quarterback, San Francisco

Coaching changes

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Stadium changes

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The home of the San Diego Chargers, San Diego Stadium, was renamed Jack Murphy Stadium in memory of local sportswriter Jack Murphy

Uniform changes

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  • 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

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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.[4]

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.[5]

Regular season game not broadcast by Network TV

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Date Time Teams Local TV Announcers
September 5, 1981 8:00 PM EDT Minnesota @ Tampa Bay KSTP-TV (Minnesota)
WTOG-TV (Tampa Bay)

References

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  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ "1981 NFL Standings Through Week 1". champsorchumps.us. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  3. ^ "1981 NFL Standings Through Week 1". champsorchumps.us. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  4. ^ Brulia, Tim. "A CHRONOLOGY OF PRO FOOTBALL ON TELEVISION: Part 3" (PDF). Pro Football Researchers.
  5. ^ Weintraub, Rob (May 23, 2016). "The Day Vin Scully Didn't Land That N.F.L. Broadcasting Job". The New York Times.

[1]

  1. ^ "1981 NFL Standings Week by Week". champsorchumps.us. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
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