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Search
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P a g e s f o r l o g g e d o u t e d i t o r s l e a r n m o r e ● C o n t r i b u t i o n s ● T a l k
( T o p )
1 N F L D r a f t
2 P e r s o n n e l
T o g g l e P e r s o n n e l s u b s e c t i o n
2 . 1 S t a f f
2 . 2 R o s t e r
3 P r e s e a s o n
T o g g l e P r e s e a s o n s u b s e c t i o n
3 . 1 S c h e d u l e
4 R e g u l a r s e a s o n
T o g g l e R e g u l a r s e a s o n s u b s e c t i o n
4 . 1 S c h e d u l e
4 . 2 G a m e s u m m a r i e s
4 . 2 . 1 W e e k 1 ( S u n d a y , S e p t e m b e r 6 , 1 9 8 1 ) : v s . O a k l a n d R a i d e r s
4 . 2 . 2 W e e k 2 ( S u n d a y , S e p t e m b e r 1 3 , 1 9 8 1 ) : a t S e a t t l e S e a h a w k s
4 . 2 . 3 W e e k 3 ( S u n d a y , S e p t e m b e r 2 0 , 1 9 8 1 ) : v s . B a l t i m o r e C o l t s
4 . 2 . 4 W e e k 4 ( S u n d a y , S e p t e m b e r 2 7 , 1 9 8 1 ) : v s . S a n D i e g o C h a r g e r s
4 . 2 . 5 W e e k 5 ( S u n d a y , O c t o b e r 4 , 1 9 8 1 ) : a t O a k l a n d R a i d e r s
4 . 2 . 6 W e e k 6 ( S u n d a y , O c t o b e r 1 1 , 1 9 8 1 ) : v s . D e t r o i t L i o n s
4 . 2 . 7 W e e k 7 ( S u n d a y , O c t o b e r 1 8 , 1 9 8 1 ) : a t K a n s a s C i t y C h i e f s
4 . 2 . 8 W e e k 8 ( S u n d a y , O c t o b e r 2 5 , 1 9 8 1 ) : a t B u f f a l o B i l l s
4 . 2 . 9 W e e k 9 ( M o n d a y , N o v e m b e r 2 , 1 9 8 1 ) : v s . M i n n e s o t a V i k i n g s
4 . 2 . 1 0 W e e k 1 0 ( S u n d a y , N o v e m b e r 8 , 1 9 8 1 ) : v s . C l e v e l a n d B r o w n s
4 . 2 . 1 1 W e e k 1 1 ( S u n d a y , N o v e m b e r 1 5 , 1 9 8 1 ) : a t T a m p a B a y B u c c a n e e r s
4 . 2 . 1 2 W e e k 1 2 ( S u n d a y , N o v e m b e r 2 2 , 1 9 8 1 ) : a t C i n c i n n a t i B e n g a l s
4 . 2 . 1 3 W e e k 1 3 ( S u n d a y , N o v e m b e r 2 9 , 1 9 8 1 ) : a t S a n D i e g o C h a r g e r s
4 . 2 . 1 4 W e e k 1 4 ( S u n d a y , D e c e m b e r 6 , 1 9 8 1 ) : v s . K a n s a s C i t y C h i e f s
4 . 2 . 1 5 W e e k 1 5 ( S u n d a y , D e c e m b e r 1 3 , 1 9 8 1 ) : v s . S e a t t l e S e a h a w k s
4 . 2 . 1 6 W e e k 1 6 ( S u n d a y , D e c e m b e r 2 0 , 1 9 8 1 ) ; a t C h i c a g o B e a r s
4 . 3 S t a n d i n g s
5 R e f e r e n c e s
6 E x t e r n a l l i n k s
T o g g l e t h e t a b l e o f c o n t e n t s
1 9 8 1 D e n v e r B r o n c o s s e a s o n
1 l a n g u a g e
● I t a l i a n o
E d i t l i n k s
● A r t i c l e ● T a l k
E n g l i s h
● R e a d ● E d i t ● V i e w h i s t o r y
T o o l s
T o o l s
A c t i o n s
● R e a d ● E d i t ● V i e w h i s t o r y
G e n e r a l
● W h a t l i n k s h e r e ● R e l a t e d c h a n g e s ● U p l o a d f i l e ● S p e c i a l p a g e s ● P e r m a n e n t l i n k ● P a g e i n f o r m a t i o n ● C i t e t h i s p a g e ● G e t s h o r t e n e d U R L ● D o w n l o a d Q R c o d e ● W i k i d a t a i t e m
P r i n t / e x p o r t
● D o w n l o a d a s P D F ● P r i n t a b l e v e r s i o n
A p p e a r a n c e
F r o m W i k i p e d i a , t h e f r e e e n c y c l o p e d i a
The 1981 Denver Broncos seasonNational Football League (NFL). Led by first-year head coach Dan Reeves ,[1] 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] 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] 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]
NFL Draft
[ edit ]
Personnel
[ edit ]
Staff
[ edit ]
1981 Denver Broncos staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Source: [8]
Roster
[ edit ]
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:
Preseason
[ edit ]
Schedule
[ edit ]
Regular season
[ edit ]
Schedule
[ edit ]
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Venue
Attendance
1 September 6
Oakland Raiders W 1–0
Mile High Stadium
74,796
2 September 13
at Seattle Seahawks L 1–1
Kingdome
58,513
3 September 20
Baltimore Colts
W 2–1
Mile High Stadium
74,804
4 September 27
San Diego Chargers W 3–1
Mile High Stadium
74,822
5 October 4
at Oakland Raiders W 4–1
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum
51,035
6 October 11
Detroit Lions
W 5–1
Mile High Stadium
74,816
7 October 18
at Kansas City Chiefs L 5–2
Arrowhead Stadium
74,672
8 October 25
at Buffalo Bills
L 5–3
Rich Stadium
77,757
9 Minnesota Vikings
W 6–3
Mile High Stadium
74,834
10 November 8
Cleveland Browns
W OT
7–3
Mile High Stadium
74,859
11 November 15
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
W 8–3
Tampa Stadium
64,518
12 November 22
at Cincinnati Bengals
L 8–4
Riverfront Stadium
57,207
13 November 29
at San Diego Chargers L 8–5
Jack Murphy Stadium
51,533
14 December 6
Kansas City Chiefs W 9–5
Mile High Stadium
74,744
15 December 13
Seattle Seahawks W 10–5
Mile High Stadium
74,527
16 December 20
at Chicago Bears
L 10–6
Soldier Field
40,125
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
[9]
Game summaries
[ edit ] [ edit ]
Week 1: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders
7 0
0 0 7
Broncos 6 3 0 0 9
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
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
[ edit ]
Week 2: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period
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
[ edit ]
Week 3: Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Colts
0
0
10 0 10
Broncos 0
14 14 0 28
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
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
[ edit ]
Week 4: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Chargers
0
0
10 14 24
Broncos 21 7 7 7 42
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
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
[ edit ]
Week 5: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Broncos 0
7 10 0 17
Raiders
0
0
0 0 0
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum • Oakland, California
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
[ edit ]
Week 6: Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period
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
[ edit ]
Week 7: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Broncos
0
0
7 7 14
Chiefs 14 0
0 14 28
at Arrowhead Stadium • Kansas City, Missouri
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
[ edit ]
Week 8: Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Broncos
0
7 0 0 7
Bills 0
3 3 3 9
at Rich Stadium • Orchard Park, New York
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
[ edit ]
Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Vikings
0
3 0 14 17
Broncos 0
3 3 13 19
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
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
[ edit ]
Week 10: Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 OT Total
Browns
0
7 7 6 0 20
Broncos 3 7 3 7 3 23
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
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
[ edit ]
Week 11: Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period
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
[ edit ]
Week 12: Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Broncos
0
7 0 14 21
Bengals 14 14 0 10 38
at Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio
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
[ edit ]
Week 13: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Broncos
0
10 0 7 17
Chargers 14 13 7 0 34
at Jack Murphy Stadium • San Diego, California
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
[ edit ]
Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Chiefs
0
6 7 0 13
Broncos 7 9 0 0 16
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
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
[ edit ]
Week 15: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Seahawks
0
3 3 7 13
Broncos 7 3 6 7 23
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
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
[ edit ]
Week 16: Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period
1 2 3 4 Total
Broncos
3 0
14 7 24
Bears 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
Standings
[ edit ]
References
[ edit ]
^ "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 . 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
^ Pro Football Reference Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – September 13, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – September 20, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 27, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – October 4, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos – October 11, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – October 18, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills – October 25, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos – November 2, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos – November 8, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – November 15, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals – November 22, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 29, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – December 6, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – December 13, 1981
^ Pro Football Reference Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – December 20, 1981
External links
[ edit ]
t
e
R e t r i e v e d f r o m " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1981_Denver_Broncos_season&oldid=1235689716 " C a t e g o r i e s : ● 1 9 8 1 N a t i o n a l F o o t b a l l L e a g u e s e a s o n b y t e a m ● D e n v e r B r o n c o s s e a s o n s ● 1 9 8 1 i n s p o r t s i n C o l o r a d o ● A m e r i c a n f o o t b a l l s e a s o n s t u b s H i d d e n c a t e g o r i e s : ● A r t i c l e s w i t h s h o r t d e s c r i p t i o n ● S h o r t d e s c r i p t i o n m a t c h e s W i k i d a t a ● U s e m d y d a t e s f r o m D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 3 ● A l l s t u b a r t i c l e s
● T h i s p a g e w a s l a s t e d i t e d o n 2 0 J u l y 2 0 2 4 , a t 1 7 : 3 1 ( U T C ) . ● T e x t i s a v a i l a b l e u n d e r t h e C r e a t i v e C o m m o n s A t t r i b u t i o n - S h a r e A l i k e L i c e n s e 4 . 0 ;
a d d i t i o n a l t e r m s m a y a p p l y . B y u s i n g t h i s s i t e , y o u a g r e e t o t h e T e r m s o f U s e a n d P r i v a c y P o l i c y . W i k i p e d i a ® i s a r e g i s t e r e d t r a d e m a r k o f t h e W i k i m e d i a F o u n d a t i o n , I n c . , a n o n - p r o f i t o r g a n i z a t i o n . ● P r i v a c y p o l i c y ● A b o u t W i k i p e d i a ● D i s c l a i m e r s ● C o n t a c t W i k i p e d i a ● C o d e o f C o n d u c t ● D e v e l o p e r s ● S t a t i s t i c s ● C o o k i e s t a t e m e n t ● M o b i l e v i e w
