The 1981 Denver Broncos season was the team's 22nd year in professional football and its 12th with the National Football League (NFL). Led by first-year head coach Dan Reeves ,[ 1] the Broncos were 10–6, tied for first in the AFC West , but failed to make the postseason again due to their loss to the Buffalo Bills , who gained the final berth.
The Broncos were undefeated at home in 1981,[ 2] but had six road losses. After a promising 8–3 start, Denver lost three of their final five games, including a critical loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 12. Entering the season finale against the Chicago Bears , they had a one-game lead over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC West,[ 2] but the loss at Soldier Field ended their season, losing the tiebreakers for the division and wild card berths.[ 3] [ 4]
Prior to this season, ownership changed in February; coaching and front office changes were made in March.[ 1] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7]
Contents
1 NFL Draft
2 Personnel
3 Preseason
4 Regular season
4.1 Schedule
4.2 Game summaries
4.2.1 Week 1 (Sunday, September 6, 1981): vs. Oakland Raiders
4.2.2 Week 2 (Sunday, September 13, 1981): at Seattle Seahawks
4.2.3 Week 3 (Sunday, September 20, 1981): vs. Baltimore Colts
4.2.4 Week 4 (Sunday, September 27, 1981): vs. San Diego Chargers
4.2.5 Week 5 (Sunday, October 4, 1981): at Oakland Raiders
4.2.6 Week 6 (Sunday, October 11, 1981): vs. Detroit Lions
4.2.7 Week 7 (Sunday, October 18, 1981): at Kansas City Chiefs
4.2.8 Week 8 (Sunday, October 25, 1981): at Buffalo Bills
4.2.9 Week 9 (Monday, November 2, 1981): vs. Minnesota Vikings
4.2.10 Week 10 (Sunday, November 8, 1981): vs. Cleveland Browns
4.2.11 Week 11 (Sunday, November 15, 1981): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4.2.12 Week 12 (Sunday, November 22, 1981): at Cincinnati Bengals
4.2.13 Week 13 (Sunday, November 29, 1981): at San Diego Chargers
4.2.14 Week 14 (Sunday, December 6, 1981): vs. Kansas City Chiefs
4.2.15 Week 15 (Sunday, December 13, 1981): vs. Seattle Seahawks
4.2.16 Week 16 (Sunday, December 20, 1981); at Chicago Bears
4.3 Standings
5 References
6 External links
1981 Denver Broncos staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Source: [ 8]
1981 Denver Broncos roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
Source:
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
1
September 6
Oakland Raiders
W 9–7
1–0
Mile High Stadium
74,796
2
September 13
at Seattle Seahawks
L 10–13
1–1
Kingdome
58,513
3
September 20
Baltimore Colts
W 28–10
2–1
Mile High Stadium
74,804
4
September 27
San Diego Chargers
W 42–24
3–1
Mile High Stadium
74,822
5
October 4
at Oakland Raiders
W 17–0
4–1
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
51,035
6
October 11
Detroit Lions
W 27–21
5–1
Mile High Stadium
74,816
7
October 18
at Kansas City Chiefs
L 14–28
5–2
Arrowhead Stadium
74,672
8
October 25
at Buffalo Bills
L 7–9
5–3
Rich Stadium
77,757
9
Minnesota Vikings
W 19–17
6–3
Mile High Stadium
74,834
10
November 8
Cleveland Browns
W 23–20 OT
7–3
Mile High Stadium
74,859
11
November 15
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
W 24–7
8–3
Tampa Stadium
64,518
12
November 22
at Cincinnati Bengals
L 21–38
8–4
Riverfront Stadium
57,207
13
November 29
at San Diego Chargers
L 17–34
8–5
Jack Murphy Stadium
51,533
14
December 6
Kansas City Chiefs
W 16–13
9–5
Mile High Stadium
74,744
15
December 13
Seattle Seahawks
W 23–13
10–5
Mile High Stadium
74,527
16
December 20
at Chicago Bears
L 24–35
10–6
Soldier Field
40,125
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
[ 9]
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
OAK
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Raiders
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 2: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
3
7
0 0 10
Seahawks
7
3
3 0 13
at Kingdome • Seattle, Washington
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SEA
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Seahawks
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
BAL
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Colts
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SD
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Scoring summary
Quarter
Time
Drive
Team
Scoring information
Score
Plays
Yards
TOP
SD
DEN
1
Broncos
Odoms 19-yard touchdown reception from Morton , Steinfort kick good
0
7
1
Broncos
Watson 93-yard touchdown reception from Morton , Steinfort kick good
0
14
1
Broncos
J Wright 2-yard touchdown reception from Morton , Steinfort kick good
0
21
2
Broncos
Watson 21-yard touchdown reception from Morton , Steinfort kick good
0
28
3
Broncos
Preston 2-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good
0
35
3
Chargers
Smith 39-yard touchdown reception from Fouts , Benirschke kick good
7
35
3
Chargers
52-yard field goal by Benirschke
10
35
4
Chargers
Cappelletti 1-yard touchdown run, Benirschke kick good
17
35
4
Chargers
Winslow 1-yard touchdown reception from Fouts , Benirschke kick good
24
35
4
Broncos
Lytle 3-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good
24
42
"TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football .
24
42
Chargers
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
OAK
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Raiders
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 6: Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Lions
7
14
0 0 21
Broncos
10
7
3 7 27
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DET
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Lions
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
KC
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Chiefs
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
BUF
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Bills
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
MIN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Vikings
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
CLE
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Browns
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 11: Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos
7
0
7 10 24
Buccaneers
0
0
7 0 7
at Tampa Stadium • Tampa, Florida
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
TB
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Buccaneers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
CIN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Bengals
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
SD
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Chargers
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
KC
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Chiefs
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
SEA
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Seahawks
Game Statistics
Broncos
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
Week 16: Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Broncos (10–6)
3
0
14 7 24
Bears (6–10)
0
14
14 7 35
at Soldier Field • Chicago, Illinois
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
DEN
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
CHI
Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Broncos
Game Statistics
Bears
First downs
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passes
Sacked–yards
Net passing yards
Total yards
Return yards
Punts
Fumbles–lost
Penalties–yards
Time of possession
Individual stats
^ a b Zimmerman, Paul (October 19, 1981). "Denver is standing mile-high once again" . Sports Illustrated . p. 48.
^ a b Mossman, John (December 14, 1981). "Broncos snow Seahawks, 23-13" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. p. 17.
^ "Bears, 35-24" . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon). Associated Press. December 21, 1981. p. 3C.
^ "Bears bust Broncos, damage Denver's hopes" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 21, 1981. p. C2.
^ "Red is out, Reeves in at Denver" . Spokesman-Review . (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. March 10, 1981. p. 19.
^ Reid, Ron (March 10, 1981). "Miller out, Reeves in as Broncos coach" . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . p. 13.
^ "Reeves hired as new Bronco coach" . Deseret News . (Salt Lake City, Utah). Associated Press. March 11, 1981. p. G2.
^ 2010 Denver Broncos Media Guide . p. 365. Retrieved March 6, 2011 .
^ "Viking comeback falls just short" . Spokane Daily Chronicle . (Washington). Associated Press. November 3, 1981. p. 18.
^ Pro Football Reference ; Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – September 6, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – September 6, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – September 13, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – September 13, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – September 20, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – September 20, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 27, 1981
^ The Football Database ; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 27, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – October 4, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – October 4, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos – October 11, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos – October 11, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – October 18, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – October 18, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills – October 25, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills – October 25, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos – November 2, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos – November 2, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos – November 8, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos – November 8, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 15, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 15, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals – November 22, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals – November 22, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 29, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 29, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – December 6, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – December 6, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – December 13, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – December 13, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference ; Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – December 20, 1981
^ The Football Database ; Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – December 20, 1981