The 1981 YEAR IN FOOTBALL
Dallas Cowboys (12-4)
Head Coach: Tom Landry
Passing Leader: Danny White (3098)
Rushing Leader: Tony Dorsett (1646)
Receiving Leader: Tony Hill (46-953)
Miami Dolphins (11-4-1)
Head Coach: Don Shula
Passing Leader: David Woodley (2470)
Rushing Leader: Tony Nathan (782)
Receiving Leader: Duriel Harris (53-911)
Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
Head Coach: Dick Vermeil
Passing Leader: Ron Jaworski (3095)
Rushing Leader: Wilbert Montgomery (1402)
Receiving Leader: Harold Carmichael (61-1028)
New York Jets (10-5-1)
Head Coach: Walt Michaels
Passing Leader: Richard Todd (3231)
Rushing Leader: Freeman McNeil (623)
Receiving Leader: Bruce Harper (52-459)
New York Giants (9-7)
Head Coach: Ray Perkins
Passing Leader: Phil Simms (2031)
Rushing Leader: Rob Carpenter (748)
Receiving Leader: Johhny Perkins (51-858)
Buffalo Bills (10-6)
Head Coach: Chuck Knox
Passing Leader: Joe Ferguson (3652)
Rushing Leader: Joe Cribbs (1097)
Receiving Leader: Frank Lewis (70-1244)
Washington Redskins (8-8)
Head Coach: Joe Gibbs
Passing Leader: Joe Theismann (3568)
Rushing Leader: Joe Washington (916)
Receiving Leader: Joe Washington (70-558)
Baltimore Colts (2-14)
Head Coach: Mike McCormack
Passing Leader: Bert Jones (3094)
Rushing Leader: Curtis Dickey (779)
Rec. Leader: Randy McMillan (50-466)
St. Louis Cardinals (7-9)
Head Coach: Jim Hanifan
Passing Leader: Jim Hart (1694)
Rushing Leader: Otis Anderson (1376)
Receiving Leader: Pat Tilley (66-1040)
New England Patriots (2-14)
Head Coach: Ron Erhardt
Passing Leader: Steve Grogan (1859)
Rushing Leader: Tony Collins (873)
Receiving Leader: Don Hasselbeck (46-808)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
Head Coach: John McKay
Passing Leader: Doug Williams (3563)
Rushing Leader: Jerry Eckwood (651)
Receiving Leader: Kevin House (56-1176)
Detroit Lions (8-8)
Head Coach: Monte Clark
Passing Leader: Eric Hipple (2358)
Rushing Leader: Billy Sims (1437)
Receiving Leader: Freddie Scott (53-1022)
Green Bay Packers (8-8)
Head Coach: Bart Starr
Passing Leader: Lynn Dickey (2593)
Rushing Leader: Gerry Ellis (860)
Receiving Leader: James Lofton (71-1294)
Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
Head Coach: Bud Grant
Passing Leader: Tommy Kramer (3912)
Rushing Leader: Ted Brown (1063)
Receiving Leader: Ted Brown (83-694)
Chicago Bears (6-10)
Head Coach: Neill Armstrong
Passing Leader: Vince Evans (2354)
Rushing Leader: Walter Payton (1222)
Receiving Leader: Walter Payton (41-379)
San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
Head Coach: Bill Walsh
Passing Leader: Joe Montana (3565)
Rushing Leader: Ricky Patton (543)
Receiving Leader: Dwight Clark (85-1105)
Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
Head Coach: Leeman Bennett
Passing Leader: Steve Bartkowski (3829)
Rushing Leader: William Andrews (1301)
Receiving Leader: William Andrews (81-735)
Los Angeles Rams (6-10)
Head Coach: Ray Malavasi
Passing Leader: Pat Haden (1815)
Rushing Leader: Wendell Tyler (1074)
Receiving Leader: Preston Dennard (49-821)
New Orleans Saints (4-12)
Head Coach: Bum Phillips
Passing Leader: Archie Manning (1447)
Rushing Leader: George Rogers (1674)
Receiving Leader: Jack Holmes (38-206)
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6
Dallas 26, WASHINGTON 10 Baltimore 29, NEW ENGLAND 28
Kansas City 37, PITTSBURGH 33 Miami 20, ST. LOUIS 7
TAMPA BAY 21, Minnesota 13 Green Bay 16, CHICAGO 9
ATLANTA 27, New Orleans 0 Houston 27, LOS ANGELES 20
DENVER 9, Oakland 7 Philadelphia 24, NY GIANTS 10
DETROIT 24, San Francisco 17 BUFFALO 31, NY Jets 0
CINCINNATI 27, Seattle 21
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 7
San Diego 44, CLEVELAND 14
NFC EASTERN DIVISION AFC EASTERN DIVISION
Dallas 1 0 0 1.000 26 10 Buffalo 1 0 0 1.000 31 0
Philadelphia 1 0 0 1.000 24 10 Baltimore 1 0 0 1.000 29 28
NY Giants 0 1 0 .000 10 24 Miami 1 0 0 1.000 20 7
Washington 0 1 0 .000 10 26 New England 0 1 0 .000 28 29
St. Louis 0 1 0 .000 7 20 NY Jets 0 1 0 .000 0 31
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
GREEN BAY 1 0 0 1.000 16 9 Cincinnati 1 0 0 1.000 27 21
Tampa Bay 1 0 0 1.000 21 13 Houston 1 0 0 1.000 27 20
Detroit 1 0 0 1.000 24 17 Pittsburgh 0 1 0 .000 33 37
Minnesota 0 1 0 .000 13 21 Cleveland 0 1 0 .000 14 44
Chicago 0 1 0 .000 9 16 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION San Diego 1 0 0 1.000 44 14
Atlanta 1 0 0 1.000 27 0 Denver 1 0 0 1.000 9 7
Los Angeles 0 1 0 1.000 20 27 Kansas City 1 0 0 1.000 37 33
San Francisco 0 1 0 .000 17 24 Oakland 0 1 0 .000 7 9
New Orleans 0 1 0 .000 0 27 Seattle 0 1 0 .000 21 27
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10
MIAMI 30, Pittsburgh 10
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13
SAN FRANCISCO 28, Chicago 17 Atlanta 31, GREEN BAY 17
SEATTLE 13, Denver 10 Buffalo 35, BALTIMORE 3
PHILADELPHIA 13, New England 3 Cincinnati 31, NY JETS 30
NY Giants 17, WASHINGTON 7 Houston 9, CLEVELAND 3
DALLAS 30, St. Louis 17 SAN DIEGO 28, Detroit 23
KANSAS CITY 19, Tampa Bay 10 NEW ORLEANS 23, Los Angeles 17
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 14
Oakland 36, MINNESOTA 10
NFC EASTERN DIVISION AFC EASTERN DIVISION
Dallas 2 0 0 1.000 56 27 Buffalo 2 0 0 1.000 66 3
Philadelphia 2 0 0 1.000 37 13 Miami 2 0 0 1.000 50 17
NY Giants 1 1 0 .500 27 31 Baltimore 1 1 0 .500 32 63
Washington 0 2 0 .000 17 43 New England 0 2 0 .000 31 42
St. Louis 0 2 0 .000 24 50 NY Jets 0 2 0 .000 30 62
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
GREEN BAY 1 1 0 .500 33 40 Cincinnati 2 0 0 1.000 58 51
Tampa Bay 1 1 0 .500 31 32 Houston 2 0 0 1.000 36 23
Detroit 1 1 0 .500 47 45 Pittsburgh 0 2 0 .000 43 67
Minnesota 0 2 0 .000 23 57 Cleveland 0 2 0 .000 17 53
Chicago 0 2 0 .000 26 44 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION San Diego 2 0 0 1.000 72 37
Atlanta 2 0 0 1.000 58 17 Kansas City 2 0 0 1.000 56 43
San Francisco 1 1 0 .500 45 41 Denver 1 1 0 .500 19 20
New Orleans 1 1 0 .500 23 44 Oakland 1 1 0 .500 43 19
Los Angeles 0 2 0 .000 37 50 Seattle 1 1 0 .500 34 37
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17
Philadelphia 20, BUFFALO 14
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 21
DENVER 28, Baltimore 10 LOS ANGELES 35, Green Bay 23
Miami 16, HOUSTON 10 Cleveland 20, CINCINNATI 17
OAKLAND 20, Seattle 10 MINNESOTA 26, Detroit 24
NY GIANTS 20, New Orleans 7 ATLANTA 34, San Francisco 17
CHICAGO 28, Tampa Bay 17 ST. LOUIS 40, Washington 30
San Diego 42, KANSAS CITY 21 PITTSBURGH 38, NY Jets 10
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 22
Dallas 35, NEW ENGLAND 21
NFC EASTERN DIVISION AFC EASTERN DIVISION
Dallas 3 0 0 1.000 91 48 Miami 3 0 0 1.000 66 27
Philadelphia 3 0 0 1.000 57 27 Buffalo 2 1 0 .667 80 23
NY Giants 2 1 0 .667 47 38 Baltimore 1 2 0 .333 42 91
St. Louis 1 2 0 .333 64 80 NY Jets 0 3 0 .000 40 100
Washington 0 3 0 .000 47 83 New England 0 3 0 .000 52 77
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
GREEN BAY 1 2 0 .333 56 75 Houston 2 1 0 .667 46 39
Tampa Bay 1 2 0 .333 48 60 Cincinnati 2 1 0 .667 75 71
Detroit 1 2 0 .333 71 71 Pittsburgh 1 2 0 .333 81 77
Minnesota 1 2 0 .333 49 81 Cleveland 1 2 0 .333 37 70
Chicago 1 2 0 .333 54 61 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION San Diego 3 0 0 1.000 114 58
Atlanta 3 0 0 1.000 92 34 Kansas City 2 1 0 .667 77 85
San Francisco 1 2 0 .333 62 75 Denver 2 1 0 .667 47 30
New Orleans 1 2 0 .333 30 64 Oakland 2 1 0 .667 63 29
Los Angeles 1 2 0 .333 72 73 Seattle 1 2 0 .333 44 57
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27
Minnesota 30, Green Bay 13 @ Mil CINCINNATI 27, Buffalo 24 (OT)
CLEVELAND 28, Atlanta 17 NY JETS 33, Houston 17
DENVER 42, San Diego 24 PHILADELPHIA 36, Washington 13
TAMPA BAY 20, St. Louis 10 Miami 31, BALTIMORE 28
Kansas City 20, SEATTLE 14 DETROIT 16, Oakland 0
PITTSBURGH 27, New England 21 DALLAS 18, NY Giants 10
SAN FRANCISCO 21, New Orleans 14
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28
Los Angeles 24, CHICAGO 7
NFC EASTERN DIVISION AFC EASTERN DIVISION
Dallas 4 0 0 1.000 109 58 Miami 4 0 0 1.000 97 55
Philadelphia 4 0 0 1.000 84 48 Buffalo 2 2 0 .500 104 50
NY Giants 2 2 0 .500 57 56 Baltimore 1 3 0 .250 70 122
St. Louis 1 3 0 .250 74 100 NY Jets 1 3 0 .250 73 117
Washington 0 4 0 .000 60 119 New England 0 4 0 .000 73 104
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Minnesota 2 2 0 .500 79 94 Cincinnati 3 1 0 .750 102 95
Tampa Bay 2 2 0 .500 68 70 Cleveland 2 2 0 .500 65 87
Detroit 2 2 0 .500 87 71 Pittsburgh 2 2 0 .500 108 98
GREEN BAY 1 3 0 .250 69 105 Houston 2 2 0 .500 63 72
Chicago 1 3 0 .250 61 85 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION San Diego 3 1 0 .750 138 100
Atlanta 3 1 0 .750 109 62 Kansas City 3 1 0 .750 97 99
San Francisco 2 2 0 .500 83 89 Denver 3 1 0 .750 89 54
Los Angeles 2 2 0 .500 96 80 Oakland 2 2 0 .500 63 45
New Orleans 1 3 0 .250 44 85 Seattle 1 3 0 .250 58 77
SUNDAY OCTOBER 4
ST. LOUIS 20, Dallas 17 BUFFALO 23, Baltimore 17
TAMPA BAY 28, Detroit 10 Denver 17, OAKLAND 0
Pittsburgh 20, NEW ORLEANS 6 MINNESOTA 24, Chicago 21
Green Bay 27, NY GIANTS 14 HOUSTON 17, Cincinnati 10
San Fran 30, WASHINGTON 17 LOS ANGELES 27, Cleveland 16
SAN DIEGO 24, Seattle 10 NEW ENGLAND 33, Kansas City 17
MIAMI 28, NY Jets 28 (T)
MONDAY OCTOBER 5
PHILADELPHIA 16, Atlanta 13
NFC EASTERN DIVISION AFC EASTERN DIVISION
Philadelphia 5 0 0 1.000 100 61 Miami 4 0 1 .900 125 83
Dallas 4 1 0 .800 126 78 Buffalo 3 2 0 .600 127 67
NY Giants 2 3 0 .400 71 83 NY Jets 1 3 1 .300 101 145
St. Louis 2 3 0 .400 94 117 Baltimore 1 4 0 .200 87 145
Washington 0 5 0 .000 77 149 New England 1 4 0 .200 106 121
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Minnesota 3 2 0 .600 103 115 Cincinnati 3 2 0 .600 112 102
Tampa Bay 3 2 0 .600 96 80 Pittsburgh 3 2 0 .600 128 104
Detroit 2 3 0 .400 97 98 Houston 3 2 0 .600 80 82
GREEN BAY 2 3 0 .400 96 119 Cleveland 2 3 0 .400 81 114
Chicago 1 4 0 .200 82 109 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION San Diego 4 1 0 .800 162 110
San Francisco 3 2 0 .600 113 106 Denver 4 1 0 .800 106 54
Los Angeles 3 2 0 .600 123 96 Kansas City 3 2 0 .600 114 132
Atlanta 3 2 0 .600 122 78 Oakland 2 3 0 .400 63 62
New Orleans 1 4 0 .200 50 105 Seattle 1 4 0 .200 68 101
SUNDAY OCTOBER 11
NY JETS 28, New England 24 Cincinnati 41, BALTIMORE 16
Minnesota 33, SAN DIEGO 31 PITTSBURGH 13, Cleveland 7
NY GIANTS 34, St. Louis 14 SAN FRANCISCO 45, Dallas 14
Tampa Bay 21, GREEN BAY 10 DENVER 27, Detroit 21
Los Angeles 37, ATLANTA 35 KANSAS CITY 27, Oakland 0
HOUSTON 35, Seattle 17 Philadelphia 31, NEW ORLEANS 14
Washington 24, CHICAGO 7
MONDAY OCTOBER 12
BUFFALO 31, Miami 21
NFC EASTERN DIVISION AFC EASTERN DIVISION
Philadelphia 6 0 0 1.000 131 75 Miami 4 1 1 .750 146 114
Dallas 4 2 0 .667 140 123 Buffalo 4 2 0 .667 158 88
NY Giants 3 3 0 .500 105 97 NY Jets 2 3 1 .417 129 169
St. Louis 2 4 0 .333 108 151 Baltimore 1 5 0 .167 103 186
Washington 1 5 0 .167 101 156 New England 1 5 0 .167 130 149
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Minnesota 4 2 0 .667 136 146 Cincinnati 4 2 0 .667 153 118
Tampa Bay 4 2 0 .667 117 90 Pittsburgh 4 2 0 .667 141 111
Detroit 2 4 0 .333 118 125 Houston 4 2 0 .667 115 99
GREEN BAY 2 4 0 .333 106 140 Cleveland 2 4 0 .333 88 127
Chicago 1 5 0 .167 89 133 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION Denver 5 1 0 .833 133 75
San Francisco 4 2 0 .667 158 120 San Diego 4 2 0 .667 193 143
Los Angeles 4 2 0 .667 160 131 Kansas City 4 2 0 .667 141 132
Atlanta 3 3 0 .500 157 115 Oakland 2 4 0 .333 63 89
New Orleans 1 5 0 .167 64 136 Seattle 1 5 0 .167 85 136
SUNDAY OCTOBER 18
San Francisco 13, Green Bay 3 @ Mil MIAMI 13, Washington 10
MINNESOTA 35, Philadelphia 23 KANSAS CITY 28, Denver 14
OAKLAND 18, Tampa Bay 16 CLEVELAND 20, New Orleans 17
NY JETS 33, Buffalo 14 CINCINNATI 34, Pittsburgh 7
NEW ENGLAND 38, Houston 10 San Diego 43, BALTIMORE 14
NY Giants 32, SEATTLE 0 DALLAS 29, Los Angeles 17
ATLANTA 41, St. Louis 20
MONDAY OCTOBER 19
DETROIT 48, Chicago 17
NFC EASTERN DIVISION AFC EASTERN DIVISION
Philadelphia 6 1 0 .857 154 110 Miami 5 1 1 .786 159 124
Dallas 5 2 0 .714 169 140 Buffalo 4 3 0 .571 172 121
NY Giants 4 3 0 .571 137 97 NY Jets 3 3 1 .500 162 183
St. Louis 2 5 0 .286 128 192 New England 2 5 0 .286 168 159
Washington 1 6 0 .143 111 169 Baltimore 1 6 0 .143 117 229
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Minnesota 5 2 0 .714 171 169 Cincinnati 5 2 0 .714 187 125
Tampa Bay 4 3 0 .571 133 108 Pittsburgh 4 3 0 .571 148 145
Detroit 3 4 0 .429 166 142 Houston 4 3 0 .571 125 137
GREEN BAY 2 5 0 .286 109 153 Cleveland 3 4 0 .429 108 144
Chicago 1 6 0 .143 106 181 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION Denver 5 2 0 .714 147 103
San Francisco 5 2 0 .714 171 123 San Diego 5 2 0 .714 236 157
Los Angeles 4 3 0 .571 177 160 Kansas City 5 2 0 .714 169 146
Atlanta 4 3 0 .571 198 135 Oakland 3 4 0 .429 81 105
New Orleans 1 6 0 .143 81 156 Seattle 1 6 0 .143 85 168
SUNDAY OCTOBER 25
Kansas City 28, OAKLAND 17 Seattle 19, NY JETS 3
NEW ORLEANS 17, Cincinnati 7 DALLAS 28, Miami 27
DETROIT 31, Green Bay 27 BUFFALO 9, Denver 7
WASHINGTON 24, New England 22 ST. LOUIS 30, Minnesota 17
NY Giants 27, ATLANTA 24 (OT) CHICAGO 20, San Diego 17 (OT)
PHILADELPHIA 20, Tampa Bay 10 SAN FRANCISCO 20, Los Angeles 17
CLEVELAND 42, Baltimore 28
MONDAY OCTOBER 26
PITTSBURGH 26, Houston 13
NFC EASTERN DIVISION AFC EASTERN DIVISION
Philadelphia 7 1 0 .875 174 120 Miami 5 2 1 .688 186 152
Dallas 6 2 0 .750 197 167 Buffalo 5 3 0 .625 181 128
NY Giants 5 3 0 .625 164 121 NY Jets 3 4 1 .438 165 202
St. Louis 3 5 0 .375 158 209 New England 2 6 0 .250 190 183
Washington 2 6 0 .250 135 191 Baltimore 1 7 0 .125 145 271
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Minnesota 5 3 0 .625 188 199 Cincinnati 5 3 0 .625 194 142
Tampa Bay 4 4 0 .500 143 128 Pittsburgh 5 3 0 .625 174 158
Detroit 4 4 0 .500 197 169 Cleveland 4 4 0 .500 150 172
GREEN BAY 2 6 0 .250 136 184 Houston 4 4 0 .500 138 163
Chicago 2 6 0 .250 126 198 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION Kansas City 6 2 0 .750 197 163
San Francisco 6 2 0 .750 191 140 San Diego 5 3 0 .625 253 177
Los Angeles 4 4 0 .500 194 180 Denver 5 3 0 .625 154 112
Atlanta 4 4 0 .500 222 162 Oakland 3 5 0 .375 98 133
New Orleans 2 6 0 .250 98 163 Seattle 2 6 0 .250 104 171
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1
MIAMI 27, Baltimore 10 Atlanta 41, NEW ORLEANS 10
BUFFALO 22, Cleveland 13 LOS ANGELES 20, Detroit 13
San Francisco 17, PITTSBURGH 14 TAMPA BAY 20, Chicago 10
GREEN BAY 34, Seattle 24 Dallas 17, PHILADELPHIA 14
OAKLAND 27, New England 17 CINCINNATI 34, Houston 21
NY JETS 26, NY Giants 7 SAN DIEGO 22, Kansas City 20
WASHINGTON 42, St. Louis 21
MONDAY NOVEMBER 2
DENVER 19, Minnesota 17
NFC EASTERN DIVISION AFC EASTERN DIVISION
Dallas 7 2 0 .778 214 181 Miami 6 2 1 .722 223 162
Philadelphia 7 2 0 .778 188 137 Buffalo 6 3 0 .667 203 141
NY Giants 5 4 0 .556 171 147 NY Jets 4 4 1 .500 191 209
Washington 3 6 0 .333 177 212 New England 2 7 0 .222 207 210
St. Louis 3 6 0 .333 179 251 Baltimore 1 8 0 .111 155 298
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Tampa Bay 5 4 0 .556 163 138 Cincinnati 6 3 0 .667 228 163
Minnesota 5 4 0 .556 205 218 Pittsburgh 5 4 0 .556 188 175
Detroit 4 5 0 .444 210 189 Cleveland 4 5 0 .444 163 194
GREEN BAY 3 6 0 .333 170 208 Houston 4 5 0 .444 159 197
Chicago 2 7 0 .222 136 218 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION San Diego 6 3 0 .667 275 197
San Francisco 7 2 0 .778 208 154 Kansas City 6 3 0 .667 217 185
Los Angeles 5 4 0 .556 214 193 Denver 6 3 0 .667 173 129
Atlanta 5 4 0 .556 263 172 Oakland 4 5 0 .444 125 150
New Orleans 2 7 0 .222 108 204 Seattle 2 7 0 .222 128 205
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8
Green Bay 26, NY Giants 24 @ Mil SAN FRANCISCO 17, Atlanta 14
Miami 30, NEW ENGLAND 27 (OT) Chicago 16, KANSAS CITY 13 (OT)
Philadelphia 52, ST. LOUIS 10 Cincinnati 40, SAN DIEGO 17
SEATTLE 24, Pittsburgh 21 New Orleans 21, LOS ANGELES 13
DENVER 23, Cleveland 20 (OT) NY Jets 41, BALTIMORE 14
WASHINGTON 33, Detroit 31 MINNESOTA 25, Tampa Bay 10
HOUSTON 17, Oakland 16
MONDAY NOVEMBER 9
DALLAS 27, Buffalo 14
NFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Dallas 8 2 0 .800 241 195 Miami 7 2 1 .750 253 189
Philadelphia 8 2 0 .800 250 147 Buffalo 6 4 0 .600 217 168
NY Giants 5 5 0 .500 195 173 NY Jets 5 4 1 .550 218 239
Washington 4 6 0 .400 210 243 New England 2 8 0 .200 234 240
St. Louis 3 7 0 .300 189 303 Baltimore 1 9 0 .100 169 339
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Minnesota 6 4 0 .600 230 228 Cincinnati 7 3 0 .700 268 180
Tampa Bay 5 5 0 .500 173 163 Pittsburgh 5 5 0 .500 209 199
Detroit 4 6 0 .400 241 221 Houston 5 5 0 .500 176 213
GREEN BAY 4 6 0 .400 196 232 Cleveland 4 6 0 .400 183 217
Chicago 3 7 0 .300 152 231 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION Denver 7 3 0 .700 196 149
San Francisco 8 2 0 .800 225 168 Kansas City 6 4 0 .600 230 201
Los Angeles 5 5 0 .500 227 214 San Diego 6 4 0 .600 292 237
Atlanta 5 5 0 .500 277 189 Oakland 4 6 0 .400 141 167
New Orleans 3 7 0 .300 129 217 Seattle 3 7 0 .300 152 226
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15
Cleveland 15, SAN FRANCISCO 12 Denver 24, TAMPA BAY 7
DETROIT 27, Dallas 24 PHILADELPHIA 38, Baltimore 13
KANSAS CITY 23, Houston 10 ST. LOUIS 24, Buffalo 0
CINCINNATI 24, Los Angeles 10 GREEN BAY 21, Chicago 17
MINNESOTA 20, New Orleans 10 Pittsburgh 34, ATLANTA 20
Washington 30, NY GIANTS 27 (OT) NY Jets 17, NEW ENGLAND 6
Oakland 33, MIAMI 17
MONDAY NOVEMBER 16
SEATTLE 44, San Diego 23
NFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Philadelphia 9 2 0 .818 288 160 Miami 7 3 1 .682 270 222
Dallas 8 3 0 .727 265 222 NY Jets 6 4 1 .591 235 245
NY Giants 5 6 0 .455 222 203 Buffalo 6 5 0 .545 217 192
Washington 5 6 0 .455 240 270 New England 2 9 0 .182 240 257
St. Louis 4 7 0 .364 213 303 Baltimore 1 10 0 .091 182 377
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Minnesota 7 4 0 .636 250 238 Cincinnati 8 3 0 .727 282 190
Tampa Bay 5 6 0 .455 180 187 Pittsburgh 6 5 0 .545 243 219
Detroit 5 6 0 .455 268 245 Cleveland 5 6 0 .455 198 229
GREEN BAY 5 6 0 .455 217 249 Houston 5 6 0 .455 186 236
Chicago 3 8 0 .273 169 252 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION Denver 8 3 0 .727 220 156
San Francisco 8 3 0 .727 237 183 Kansas City 7 4 0 .636 253 211
Los Angeles 5 6 0 .455 237 238 San Diego 6 5 0 .545 315 281
Atlanta 5 6 0 .455 297 223 Oakland 5 6 0 .455 174 184
New Orleans 3 8 0 .273 139 237 Seattle 4 7 0 .364 196 249
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22
Detroit 23, CHICAGO 7 CINCINNATI 38, Denver 21
TAMPA BAY 37, Green Bay 3 New Orleans 27, HOUSTON 24
Giants 20, PHILADELPHIA 10 NY JETS 16, Miami 15
Pittsburgh 32, CLEVELAND 10 BUFFALO 20, New England 17
San Francisco 33, LOS ANGELES 31 KANSAS CITY 40, Seattle 13
St. Louis 35, BALTIMORE 24 San Diego 55, OAKLAND 21
DALLAS 24, Washington 10
MONDAY NOVEMBER 23
ATLANTA 31, Minnesota 30
NFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Dallas 9 3 0 .750 289 232 Miami 7 4 1 .625 285 238
Philadelphia 9 3 0 .750 298 180 NY Jets 7 4 1 .635 251 260
NY Giants 6 6 0 .500 242 213 Buffalo 7 5 0 .583 237 209
Washington 5 7 0 .417 250 294 New England 2 10 0 .167 257 277
St. Louis 5 7 0 .417 248 327 Baltimore 1 11 0 .083 206 412
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Minnesota 7 5 0 .583 280 269 Cincinnati 9 3 0 .750 320 211
Tampa Bay 6 6 0 .500 217 190 Pittsburgh 7 5 0 .583 275 229
Detroit 6 6 0 .500 291 252 Cleveland 5 7 0 .417 208 261
GREEN BAY 5 7 0 .417 220 286 Houston 5 7 0 .417 210 263
Chicago 3 9 0 .250 176 275 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION Denver 8 4 0 .667 241 194
San Francisco 9 3 0 .750 270 214 Kansas City 8 4 0 .667 293 224
Atlanta 6 6 0 .500 328 253 San Diego 7 5 0 .583 370 302
Los Angeles 5 7 0 .417 268 271 Oakland 5 7 0 .417 195 239
New Orleans 4 8 0 .333 166 261 Seattle 4 8 0 .333 209 289
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 26
DETROIT 27, Kansas City 10 DALLAS 10, Chicago 9
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29
NY JETS 25, Baltimore 0 Atlanta 31, HOUSTON 27
SAN DIEGO 34, Denver 17 CINCINNATI 41, Cleveland 21
Green Bay 35, MINNESOTA 23 PITTSBURGH 24, Los Angeles 0
St. Louis 27, NEW ENGLAND 20 SAN FRANCISCO 17, NY Giants 10
Tampa Bay 31, NEW ORLEANS 14 Oakland 32, SEATTLE 31
BUFFALO 21, Washington 14
MONDAY NOVEMBER 30
MIAMI 13, Philadelphia 10
NFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Dallas 10 3 0 .769 299 241 Miami 8 4 1 .654 298 248
Philadelphia 9 4 0 .692 308 193 NY Jets 8 4 1 .654 276 260
NY Giants 6 7 0 .462 252 230 Buffalo 8 5 0 .605 258 223
St. Louis 6 7 0 .462 275 347 New England 2 11 0 .154 277 304
Washington 5 8 0 .385 264 315 Baltimore 1 12 0 .077 206 437
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Tampa Bay 7 6 0 .538 248 204 Cincinnati 10 3 0 .769 361 232
Detroit 7 6 0 .538 318 262 Pittsburgh 8 5 0 .605 299 229
Minnesota 7 6 0 .538 303 304 Cleveland 5 8 0 .385 229 302
GREEN BAY 6 7 0 .462 255 309 Houston 5 8 0 .385 237 294
Chicago 3 10 0 .231 185 285 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION San Diego 8 5 0 .605 404 319
San Francisco 10 3 0 .769 287 224 Denver 8 5 0 .605 258 228
Atlanta 7 6 0 .538 359 280 Kansas City 8 5 0 .605 303 251
Los Angeles 5 8 0 .385 268 295 Oakland 6 7 0 .462 227 270
New Orleans 4 9 0 .308 180 292 Seattle 4 9 0 .308 240 321
THURSDAY DECEMBER 3
HOUSTON 17, Cleveland 13
SUNDAY DECEMBER 4
TAMPA BAY 24, Atlanta 23 GREEN BAY 31, Detroit 17
Dallas 37, BALTIMORE 13 Buffalo 28, SAN DIEGO 27
WASHINGTON 15, Philadelphia 13 SEATTLE 27, NY Jets 23
DENVER 16, Kansas City 13 NY GIANTS 10, Los Angeles 7
CHICAGO 10, Minnesota 9 San Francisco 21, CINCINNATI 3
MIAMI 24, New England 14 ST. LOUIS 30, New Orleans 3
MONDAY DECEMBER 5
OAKLAND 30, Pittsburgh 27
NFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
Y-Dallas 11 3 0 .786 336 254 Miami 9 4 1 .679 322 262
Philadelphia 9 5 0 .643 321 208 Buffalo 9 5 0 .643 286 250
NY Giants 7 7 0 .500 262 237 NY Jets 8 5 1 .607 299 287
St. Louis 7 7 0 .500 305 350 New England 2 12 0 .143 291 328
Washington 6 8 0 .429 279 328 Baltimore 1 13 0 .071 219 474
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Tampa Bay 8 6 0 .571 272 227 Cincinnati 10 4 0 .714 364 253
Detroit 7 7 0 .500 335 293 Pittsburgh 8 6 0 .571 326 259
Minnesota 7 7 0 .500 312 314 Houston 6 8 0 .429 254 307
GREEN BAY 7 7 0 .500 286 326 Cleveland 5 9 0 .357 242 319
Chicago 4 10 0 .286 195 294 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION Denver 9 5 0 .643 274 241
X-San Fran 11 3 0 .786 308 227 San Diego 8 6 0 .571 431 347
Atlanta 7 7 0 .500 382 304 Kansas City 8 6 0 .571 316 267
Los Angeles 5 9 0 .357 275 305 Oakland 7 7 0 .500 257 297
New Orleans 4 10 0 .286 183 322 Seattle 5 9 0 .357 267 344
X-Clinched Division Title Y-Clinched Playoff Berth
SATURDAY DECEMBER 12
NY Jets 14, CLEVELAND 13 DETROIT 45, Minnesota 7
SUNDAY DECEMBER 13
Buffalo 19, NEW ENGLAND 10 WASHINGTON 38, Baltimore 14
Cincinnati 17, PITTSBURGH 10 Chicago 23, OAKLAND 6
Green Bay 35, NEW ORLEANS 7 NY Giants 20, ST. LOUIS 10
DALLAS 21, Philadelphia 10 SAN FRANCISCO 28, Houston 6
San Diego 24, TAMPA BAY 23 Miami 17, KANSAS CITY 7
DENVER 23, Seattle 13
MONDAY DECEMBER 14
LOS ANGELES 21, Atlanta 16
NFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
X-Dallas 12 3 0 .800 357 264 Y-Miami 10 4 1 .700 339 269
Philadelphia 9 6 0 .600 331 229 Buffalo 10 5 0 .667 305 260
NY Giants 8 7 0 .533 282 247 NY Jets 9 5 1 .633 313 300
Washington 7 8 0 .467 317 342 New England 2 13 0 .133 301 347
St. Louis 7 8 0 .467 315 370 Baltimore 1 14 0 .067 233 512
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
Tampa Bay 8 7 0 .533 295 251 X-Cincinnati 11 4 0 .733 381 263
Detroit 8 7 0 .533 380 300 Pittsburgh 8 7 0 .533 336 276
GREEN BAY 8 7 0 .533 321 333 Houston 6 9 0 .400 260 335
Minnesota 7 8 0 .467 319 359 Cleveland 5 10 0 .333 255 333
Chicago 5 10 0 .333 218 300 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION Denver 10 5 0 .667 297 254
X-San Fran 12 3 0 .800 336 233 San Diego 9 6 0 .600 455 370
Atlanta 7 8 0 .467 398 325 Kansas City 8 7 0 .533 323 284
Los Angeles 6 9 0 .400 296 321 Oakland 7 8 0 .467 263 320
New Orleans 4 11 0 .267 190 357 Seattle 5 10 0 .333 280 367
X-Clinched Division Title Y-Clinched Playoff Berth
SATURDAY DECEMBER 19
NY GIANTS 13, Dallas 10 (OT) MIAMI 16, Buffalo 6
SUNDAY DECEMBER 20
Cincinnati 30, ATLANTA 28 CHICAGO 35, Denver 24
NY JETS 28, Green Bay 3 SEATTLE 42, Cleveland 21
HOUSTON 21, Pittsburgh 20 San Francisco 21, NEW ORLEANS 17
BALTIMORE 23, New England 21 Kansas City 10, MINNESOTA 6
Tampa Bay 20, DETROIT 17 PHILADELPHIA 38, St. Louis 0
Washington 30, LOS ANGELES 7
MONDAY DECEMBER 21
SAN DIEGO 23, Oakland 10
NFC EASTERN DIVISION NFC EASTERN DIVISION
X-Dallas 12 4 0 .750 367 277 X-Miami 11 4 1 .719 345 275
Y-Philadelphia 10 6 0 .625 369 221 Y-NY Jets 10 5 1 .667 355 287
Y-NY Giants 9 7 0 .563 295 257 Y-Buffalo 10 6 0 .625 311 276
Washington 8 8 0 .500 347 349 Baltimore 2 14 0 .125 259 533
St. Louis 7 9 0 .438 315 408 New England 2 14 0 .125 322 370
NFC CENTRAL DIVISION AFC CENTRAL DIVISION
X-Tampa Bay 9 7 0 .563 315 268 X-Cincinnati 12 4 0 .750 421 304
Detroit 8 8 0 .500 397 322 Pittsburgh 8 8 0 .500 356 297
GREEN BAY 8 8 0 .500 324 361 Houston 7 9 0 .438 281 355
Minnesota 7 9 0 .438 325 369 Cleveland 5 11 0 .313 276 375
Chicago 6 10 0 .375 253 324 AFC WESTERN DIVISION
NFC WESTERN DIVISION X-San Diego 10 6 0 .625 478 390
X-San Fran 13 3 0 .813 357 250 Denver 10 6 0 .625 321 289
Atlanta 7 9 0 .438 426 355 Kansas City 9 7 0 .563 343 290
Los Angeles 6 10 0 .375 303 351 Oakland 7 9 0 .438 273 343
New Orleans 4 12 0 .250 207 378 Seattle 6 10 0 .375 322 388
X-Clinched Division Title Y-Clinched Wild Card Berth
1981 PLAYOFFS - AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Wildcard (December 27) - Buffalo (10-6) 31, NY JETS (10-5-1) 27
Divisional (January 2) - San Diego (10-6) 41, MIAMI (11-4-1) 38 (OT)
Divisional (January 3) - CINCINNATI (12-4) 28, Buffalo (11-6) 21
Conference (January 10) - CINCINNATI (13-4) 27, San Diego (11-6) 7
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Wildcard (December 27) - NY Giants (9-7) 27, PHILADELPHIA (10-6) 21
Divisional (January 2) - DALLAS (12-4) 38, Tampa Bay (9-7) 0
Divisional (January 3) - SAN FRANCISCO (13-3) 38, NY Giants (10-7) 24
Conference (January 10) - SAN FRANCISCO (14-3) 28, Dallas (13-4) 27
SUPER BOWL 16 (January 24, 1982 at Pontiac)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (15-3) 26, CINCINNATI BENGALS (14-5) 21 - Ray Wersching's Super Bowl record-tying four field goals and Joe Montana's controlled passing helped lift the San Francisco 49ers to their first NFL championship with a 26-21 victory over Cincinnati. The 49ers built a game-record 20-
Cincinnati Bengals (12-4)
Head Coach: Forrest Gregg
Passing Leader: Ken Anderson (3754)
Rushing Leader: Pete Johnson (1077)
Receiving Leader: Don Ross (71-910)
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8)
Head Coach: Chuck Noll
Passing Leader: Terry Bradshaw (2887)
Rushing Leader: Franco Harris (987)
Receiving Leader: John Stallworth (63-1098)
Houston Oilers (7-9)
Head Coach: Ed Biles
Passing Leader: Ken Stabler (1988)
Rushing Leader: Earl Campbell (1376)
Receiving Leader: Ken Burrough (40-668)
Cleveland Browns (5-11)
Head Coach: Sam Rutigliano
Passing Leader: Brian Sipe (3876)
Rushing Leader: Mike Pruitt (1103)
Receiving Leader: Ozzie Newsome (69-1002)
San Diego Chargers (10-6)
Head Coach: Don Coryell
Passing Leader: Dan Fouts (4802)
Rushing Leader: Chuck Muncie (1144)
Receiving Leader: Kellen Winslow (88-1075)
Denver Broncos (10-6)
Head Coach: Dan Reeves
Passing Leader: Craig Morton (3195)
Rushing Leader: Rick Parros (749)
Receiving Leader: Steve Watson (60-1244)
Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
Head Coach: Marv Levy
Passing Leader: Bill Kenney (1983)
Rushing Leader: Joe Delaney (1121)
Receiving Leader: J.T. Smith (63-852)
Oakland Raiders (7-9)
Head Coach: Tom Flores
Passing Leader: Marc Wilson (2311)
Rushing Leader: Kenny King (828)
Receiving Leader: Derrick Ramsey (52-674)
Seattle Seahawks (6-10)
Head Coach: Jack Patera
Passing Leader: Jim Zorn (2788)
Rushing Leader: Theotis Brown (531)
Receiving Leader: Steve Largent (75-1224)
0 halftime lead via Montana's 1-yard touchdown run, which capped an 11-play, 68-yard drive; fullback Earl Cooper's 11-yard scoring pass from Montana, which climaxed a Super Bowl record 92-yard drive on 12 plays; and Wersching's 22- and 26-yard field goals. The Bengals rebounded in the second half, closing the gap to 20-14 on quarterback Ken Anderson's 5-yard run and Dan Ross's 4-yard reception from Anderson, who established Super Bowl passing records for completions (25) and completion percentage (73.5 percent on 25 of 34). Wersching added early fourth-period field goals of 40 and 23 yards to increase the 49ers' lead to 26-14. The Bengals managed to score on an Anderson-to-Ross 3-yard pass with only 16 seconds remaining. Ross set a Super Bowl record with 11 receptions for 104 yards. Montana, the game's most valuable player, completed 14 of 22 passes for 157 yards. Cincinnati compiled 356 yards to San Francisco's 275, which marked the first time in Super Bowl history that the team that gained the most yards from scrimmage lost the game.
