| Team: | Denver Broncos |
| Year: | 1981 |
| Record: | 10–6 |
| Division Place: | 2nd AFC West |
| Coach: | Dan Reeves |
| General Manager: | Grady Alderman |
| Owner: | Edgar Kaiser |
| Stadium: | Mile High Stadium |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Shortnavlink: | Broncos seasons |
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]
See main article: article and 1981 NFL Draft.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York Jets | L 7–33 | 0–1 | Mile High Stadium | 63,644 | ||
| 2 | at Miami Dolphins | L 14–24 | 0–2 | Miami Orange Bowl | 41,502 | ||
| 3 | Green Bay Packers | W 17–7 | 1–2 | Mile High Stadium | 72,450 | ||
| 4 | at Cincinnati Bengals | W 24–20 | 2–2 | Riverfront Stadium | 41,713 |
See main article: 1981 NFL season.
| 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 23–20OT | 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. | ||||||||
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