1981 San Francisco 49ers season explained

Team:San Francisco 49ers
Year:1981
Record:13–3
Division Place:1st NFC West
Owner:Edward J. DeBartolo Jr.
General Manager:Bill Walsh
Coach:Bill Walsh
Def Coach:Chuck Studley
Stadium:Candlestick Park
Playoffs:Won Divisional Playoffs
(vs. Giants) 38–24
Won NFC Championship
(vs. Cowboys) 28–27
Won Super Bowl XVI
(vs. Bengals) 26–21
Shortnavlink:49ers seasons

The 1981 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 32nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 36th overall and their third under head coach Bill Walsh.

The 49ers were 13–3 in the regular season for their first winning season in five years and first playoff appearance in nine years. The franchise's most successful season to date, it was considered to be "the birth of a dynasty",[1] when the 49ers began a decade of dominance over much of the NFL. The 49ers drew an average home attendance of 54,398 in the season.

The 49ers won Super Bowl XVI, defeating the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals 26–21. It was the first of five Super Bowl victories in franchise history, all within the next thirteen seasons. From 1981 to 1997, the 49ers would have thirteen NFC West titles, eight NFC top seeds, and seven seasons with the NFL's best regular season record.

Third-year quarterback Joe Montana began the season as the starter, and produced two fourth-quarter comeback victories. His signature game of the season was the NFC Championship Game, which culminated in "The Catch", a last-minute touchdown pass from Montana to Dwight Clark, propelling the 49ers to victory over Dallas, and a berth in their first Super Bowl. The 49ers were undefeated in their first five Super Bowls.

NFL Films produced a documentary about the team's season entitled A Very Special Team; it was narrated by John Facenda. On March 23, 2007, NFL Network aired, the 1981 San Francisco 49ers, with team commentary from Dwight Clark, Ronnie Lott and Randy Cross, and narrated by Gene Hackman.

Offseason

NFL Draft

A turning point for the franchise was the drafting of safety Ronnie Lott from the University of Southern California, later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In addiction, they also drafted cornerback Eric Wright from Missouri and safety Carlton Williamson from Pittsburgh.

See main article: article and 1981 NFL Draft.

1981 San Francisco 49ers Draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
18Ronnie LottCBUSC
236John HartyDTIowafrom Washington
Traded to the Bears
40Eric WrightCBMissourifrom Chicago
365Carlton WilliamsonSSPittsburgh
4Traded to the Cowboys
5121Lynn ThomasCBPittsburgh
122Arrington JonesRBWinston-Salem Statefrom Chicago
6147Pete KuglerDTPenn State
7Traded to the Eagles
8203Garry WhiteRBMinnesota
9Traded to the Bengals
10Traded to the Colts
11286Ron DeBoseTEUCLA
12313Major OgilvieRBAlabama
322Joe AdamsQBTennessee Statefrom Pittsburgh

[2]

Training Camp

The 1981 San Francisco 49ers season held training camp at Red Morten Park in Redwood City, California.

Personnel

Roster

[3] [4]

Preseason

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentTimeTVResultRecordGame SiteAttendanceRecap
1at Seattle Seahawks7:30p.m. PDTKPIX-TVW 27–24 1–0KingdomeRecap
2San Diego Chargers6:00p.m. PDTKPIX-TVL 28–311–1Candlestick ParkRecap
3Seattle Seahawks6:00p.m. PDTKPIX-TVW 24–222–1Candlestick ParkRecap
4at Oakland Raiders6:00p.m. PDTKPIX-TVL 7–212–2Oakland–Alameda County ColiseumRecap

Preseason Game summaries

Regular season

With the offense in good shape, Walsh and the 49ers focused on overhauling the defense in 1981. Walsh took the highly unusual step of overhauling his entire secondary with rookies and untested players, bringing on board Ronnie Lott, Eric Wright and Carlton Williamson and giving Dwight Hicks a prominent role. He also acquired veteran linebacker Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds and veteran defensive lineman and sack specialist Fred Dean.

These new additions, when added to existing defensive mainstays like Keena Turner, turned the 49ers into a dominant team. After a 1–2 start, the 49ers won all but one of their final games to finish with a 13–3 record, easily the best record in the team's history. Additionally, the 49ers defense yielded more than 20 points in only three games. Dean and Hicks made the Pro Bowl. The 49ers selection of Lott in the 1981 NFL draft proved to be a seminal one. In addition to making the NFC Pro Bowl roster, Lott was voted First-Team All-Pro and received nods from all 5 newspapers that voted, a significant honor for a rookie. Giants' linebacker Lawrence Taylor was the only other rookie from the 1981 NFL draft to achieve this unanimous selection to the First Team All-Pro unit.

Led by Montana, the unusual offense was centered around the short passing game, which Walsh used as ball control. Both Dwight Clark and Freddie Solomon had excellent years receiving; Clark as the possession receiver, and Solomon as more of a deep threat. The 49ers running game, however, was among the weakest for any champion in NFL history. Ricky Patton led the 49ers with only 543 yards rushing. The 49ers' most valuable running back, however, might have been Earl Cooper, whose strength was as a pass-catching back (he had 51 catches during the season).

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentTimeTVResultRecordGame SiteAttendanceRecap
1September 6at Detroit Lions10:00a.m. PDTCBSL 17–240–1Pontiac Silverdome63,710Recap
2September 13Chicago Bears1:00p.m. PDTCBSW 28–171–1Candlestick Park49,520Recap
3September 20at Atlanta Falcons10:00a.m. PDTCBSL 17–341–2Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium56,653Recap
4September 27New Orleans Saints1:00p.m. PDTCBSW 21–142–2Candlestick Park44,433Recap
5October 4at Washington Redskins10:00a.m. PDTCBSW 30–173–2Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium51,843Recap
6October 11Dallas Cowboys1:00p.m. PDTCBSW 45–144–2Candlestick Park57,574Recap
7October 18at Green Bay Packers
(at Milwaukee)		11:00a.m. PDTCBSW 13–35–2Milwaukee County Stadium50,171Recap
8October 25Los Angeles Rams1:00p.m. PSTCBSW 20–176–2Candlestick Park59,190Recap
9November 1at Pittsburgh Steelers10:00a.m. PSTCBSW 17–147–2Three Rivers Stadium52,878Recap
10November 8Atlanta Falcons1:00p.m. PSTCBSW 17–148–2Candlestick Park59,127Recap
11November 15Cleveland Browns1:00p.m. PSTNBCL 12–158–3Candlestick Park52,455Recap
12November 22at Los Angeles Rams1:00p.m. PSTCBSW 33–319–3Anaheim Stadium63,456Recap
13November 29New York Giants1:00p.m. PSTCBSW 17–1010–3Candlestick Park57,186Recap
14December 6at Cincinnati BengalsW 21–311–3Riverfront Stadium56,796Recap
15December 13Houston OilersW 28–612–3Candlestick Park55,707Recap
16December 20at New Orleans Saints11:00a.m. PSTCBSW 21–1713–3Louisiana Superdome43,639Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Regular Season Game summaries

[5]

49ers +4

49ersGame StatisticsLions
19First downs21
33–121Rushes–yards30–127
195Passing yards196
18–28–116–27–1
4–19Sacked–yards4–28
176Net passing yards168
297Total yards295
105Return yards47
3–33.74–46.2
2–2Fumbles–lost1–1
8–54Penalties–yards7–65
31:56Time of possession28:04

Individual stats

[6]

49ers Pick

BearsGame Statistics49ers
18First downs20
36–123Rushes–yards32–125
216Passing yards287
19–33–120–32–0
1–0Sacked–yards0–0
216Net passing yards287
339Total yards412
106Return yards110
6–41.55–38.0
2–2Fumbles–lost2–2
4–16Penalties–yards3–25
25:16Time of possession34:44

Individual stats

[7]

49ers +9

49ersGame StatisticsFalcons
23First downs18
30–113Rushes–yards34–163
274Passing yards222
24–34–214–23–0
1–1Sacked–yards2–22
273Net passing yards200
386Total yards363
110Return yards199
3–35.33–36.7
1–1Fumbles–lost2–0
3–25Penalties–yards4v50
32:08Time of possession27:52

Individual stats

Joe Montana was intercepted twice in 34 passes (24 completed) as the Niners fell to the Falcons for the eleventh time in the last eight seasons.

[8]

49ers –6

SaintsGame Statistics49ers
18First downs15
37–163Rushes–yards39–146
250Passing yards175
21–38–216–22–1
0–0Sacked–yards1–7
250Net passing yards168
413Total yards314
192Return yards102
6–40.29–45.1
3–2Fumbles–lost1–1
11–106Penalties–yards8–79
30:44Time of possession29:16

Individual stats

[9]

49ers +2

49ersGame StatisticsRedskins
16First downs19
35–128Rushes–yards23–83
193Passing yards241
15–28–122–46–4
2–25Sacked–yards2–20
168Net passing yards221
296Total yards304
176Return yards224
5–40.05–40.4
1–1Fumbles–lost4–2
3–27Penalties–yards7–50
29:17Time of possession30:43

Individual stats

[10]

49ers +5

CowboysGame Statistics49ers
10First downs23
21–83Rushes–yards46–150
135Passing yards304
12–29–220–33–0
3–26Sacked–yards1–14
109Net passing yards290
192Total yards440
138Return yards110
8–39.56–46.2
3–2Fumbles–lost4–1
5–40Penalties–yards4–28
25:53Time of possession34:07

Individual stats

[11]

49ers –1

49ersGame StatisticsPackers
21First downs13
47–126Rushes–yards19–78
220Passing yards193
23–32–014–24–1
1–9Sacked–yards4–30
211Net passing yards163
337Total yards241
85Return yards101
7–35.97–40.0
2–1Fumbles–lost1–0
7–35Penalties–yards4–35
37:41Time of possession22:19

Individual stats

Week 8 (Sunday, October 25, 1981): vs. Los Angeles Rams

[12]

49ers –1

RamsGame Statistics49ers
25First downs14
37–145Rushes–yards28–60
310Passing yards287
20–39–118–32–0
6–54Sacked–yards3–22
256Net passing yards265
401Total yards325
267Return yards90
5–43.010–43.3
0–0Fumbles–lost0–0
7–39Penalties–yards5–45
33:18Time of possession26:42

Individual stats

Week 9 (Sunday, November 1, 1981): at Pittsburgh Steelers

[13]

49ers +5

49ersGame StatisticsSteelers
25First downs16
39–130Rushes–yards28–144
210Passing yards125
23–38–212–23–3
1–10Sacked–yards0–0
200Net passing yards125
330Total yards269
86Return yards192
5–45.82–48.5
0–0Fumbles–lost3–3
6–55Penalties–yards8–45
34:16Time of possession25:34

Individual stats

[14]

49ers +2½

FalconsGame Statistics49ers
19First downs17
26–76Rushes–yards34–82
236Passing yards223
20–42–316–30–1
3–20Sacked–yards2–18
216Net passing yards205
292Total yards287
126Return yards162
8–44.910–42.0
2–0Fumbles–lost4–0
8–82Penalties–yards11–74
29:29Time of possession30:31

Individual stats

[15]

49ers –3

BrownsGame Statistics49ers
14First downs21
26–106Rushes–yards35–118
180Passing yards213
16–33–124–42–2
2–19Sacked–yards3–26
161Net passing yards187
267Total yards305
165Return yards84
5–42.44–36.0
1–1Fumbles–lost1–0
7–55Penalties–yards4–29
24:48Time of possession35:12

Individual stats

The Niners’ winning streak ended in a battle of six combined field goals. Opposing quarterbacks Brian Sipe and Montana combined for 393 yards, three interceptions, and an average passer rating of 56.

Week 12 (Sunday, November 22, 1981): at Los Angeles Rams

[16]

49ers +3

49ersGame StatisticsRams
19First downs27
28–71Rushes–yards47–203
283Passing yards208
19–30–118–32–1
3–24Sacked–yards1–0
259Net passing yards208
330Total yards411
220Return yards91
2–44.04–44.8
1–1Fumbles–lost4–1
5–51Penalties–yards7–71
25:00Time of possession35:00

Individual stats

The game lead tied or changed eight times as the Rams wound up using quarterbacks Dan Pastorini and Pat Haden while running back Mike Guman threw a seven-yard touchdown to Preston Dennard. Amos Lawrence opened the third quarter by scoring on the opening kickoff and Ronnie Lott scored after intercepting Pastorini.

[17]

|scoring=First quarter

Second quarter

Fourth quarter

|stats=Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Turnovers

}}

Week 14 at Cincinnati Bengals

[18]

Week 15 vs. Houston Oilers

[19]

[20]

49ers –7

49ersGame StatisticsSaints
19First downs15
31–154Rushes–yards36–133
195Passing yards110
17–25–114–23–1
0–0Sacked–yards2–21
195Net passing yards89
349Total yards222
74Return yards118
4–46.04–34.8
3–2Fumbles–lost1–0
5–45Penalties–yards3–30
26:03Time of possession33:57

Individual stats

Regular Season Stats

Passing

Passing
PlayerPosGGSQBrecCmpAttCmp%YdsTDTD%IntInt%LngY/AAY/AY/CY/GRateSkYdsNY/AANY/ASk%4QCGWD
QB 16 16 13–3–0 311 488 63.7 3565 19 3.9 12 2.5 78 7.3 7.0 11.5 222.8 88.4 26 193 5.1 6.56 6.25 2 2
QB 4 0 15 26 57.7 171 1 3.8 1 3.8 27 6.6 5.6 11.4 42.8 74.4 3 30 10.3 4.86 4.00 1 1
WR 15 15 1 1 100.0 25 0 0.0 0 0.0 25 25.0 25.0 25.0 1.7 118.7 0 0 0.0 25.00 25.00
RB 12 1 1 1 100.0 5 0 0.0 0 0.0 5 5.0 5.0 5.0 0.4 87.5 0 0 0.0 5.00 5.00
WR 16 16 0 1 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.4 39.6 0 0 0.0 0.00 0.00
Team Total1613–3–032851763.43766203.9132.5787.36.911.5235.487.7292235.36.496.1533
Opp Total1627351453.13135163.1275.3676.14.3611.5195.960.2362906.55.23.5

Rushing

Rushing
PlayerPosGGSAttYdsTDLngY/AY/GA/G
RB 16 15 152 543 4 28 3.6 33.9 9.5
FB 16 11 98 330 1 23 3.4 20.6 6.1
RB 11 5 94 297 7 14 3.2 18.6 5.9
RB 12 1 76 224 1 9 2.9 18.7 6.3
RB 12 0 60 193 1 12 3.2 16.1 5.0
RB 12 0 22 106 0 16 4.8 8.8 1.8
QB 16 16 25 95 2 20 3.8 5.9 1.6
RB 13 0 13 48 1 14 3.7 3.7 1.0
WR 15 15 9 43 0 16 4.8 2.9 0.6
WR 16 16 3 32 0 18 10.7 2.0 0.2
RB 4 0 7 29 0 9 4.1 7.3 1.8
QB 4 0 1 1 0 1 1.0 0.3 0.3
Team Total16560194117283.5121.335.0
Opp Total164641918104.1119.929.0

Statistical comparison

San Francisco 49ersOpponents
First downs317280
First downs rushing110113
First downs passing183144
First downs penalty2423
Third down efficiency114/25987/224
Fourth down efficiency0/00/0
Net yards rushing19411918
Rushing attempts560454
Yards per rush3.54.1
Passing – Completions/attempts328/517273/514
Times sacked-total yards29–22336–290
Interceptions thrown1327
Net yards passing35432845
Total net yards54844763
Punt returns-total yards48–34457–664
Kickoff returns-total yards45–90967–1389
Interceptions-total return yards27–44813–297
Punts-average yardage93–41.583–41.4
Fumbles-lost26–1236–21
Penalties-total yards92–752108–866
Time of possession31:3828:22
Turnovers2548

Quarter-by-quarter

49ers Quarter-by-quarter
1234T
49ers801008889357
Opponents40765579250

Individual leaders

49ers Passing
C/ATT1YdsTDINTRating
Montana311/4883565191288.4
Benjamin15/261711174.4
Solomon1/12500118.8
Easley1/150087.5
Clark0/100039.6
49ers Rushing
Car2YdsTDLG3Yds/Car
Patton1525434283.6
Cooper983301233.4
Davis942977143.2
Easley76224192.9
Hofer601931123.2
Ring221060164.8
Montana25952203.8
Lawrence13481143.7
Solomon9430164.8
Clark33201810.7
Elliott729094.1
Benjamin11011.0
49ers Receiving
Rec4YdsTDLG3Yds/Rec
Clark85110547813.0
Solomon5996986016.4
Cooper514770509.4
Young3740052910.8
Hofer272440229.0
Patton271951317.2
Wilson912512713.9
Easley9620216.9
Elliott78101911.6
Ramson44501611.3
Ring3281219.3
Shumann321087.0
Lawrence310053.3
Davis3–103–0.3
Peets15055.0
49ers Interception
Int5YdsTDLG3Y/Int
Hicks923917226.6
Lott711734116.7
Williamson44402811.0
Wright3260268.7
McColl12202222.0
Martin10000
Reynolds10000
Turner10000
49ers Punts
Pnt6YdsLG3BlckY/P
Miller93385865041.5
49ers Kickoff Returns
Rt7YdsTDLG3Y/Rt
Lawrence1743719225.7
Ring1021702921.7
Lott711102015.9
Wilson46702216.8
Jones34302214.3
Hicks12202222.0
Ramson11201212.0
Davis10000.0
Patton10000.0
49ers Punt Returns
Rt8YdsTDLG3Y/Rt
Solomon291730196.0
Hicks191710399.0
49ers Extra Points
XPXPAXP%
Wersching3030100
Bahr1212100
49ers Field Goals
1–1920–2930–3940–4950+FGFGAFG%
Wersching2–27–74–74–7172373.9
Bahr0–20–12–32633.9

1Completions/attempts2Carries3Long gain4Receptions5Interceptions6Punts7Kickoff Returns8Punt Returns

Postseason

RoundDateOpponent (seed)TimeTVResultRecordGame SiteAttendanceRecap
DivisionalJanuary 3, 1982New York Giants (5)2:00p.m. PSTCBSW 38–241–0Candlestick Park58,360Recap
NFC ChampionshipJanuary 10, 1982Dallas Cowboys (2)2:00p.m. PSTCBSW 28–272–0Candlestick Park60,525Recap
Super Bowl XVIJanuary 24, 1982vs. Cincinnati Bengals (A1)W 26–213–0Pontiac Silverdome81,270Recap

[21]

|scoring=First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

|stats=Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

Turnovers

}}

The Giants were making their first appearance in the postseason since 1963. First-year starting quarterback Joe Montana led the 49ers to victory in his debut playoff game, completing 20 of 31 passes for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 1 interception. His top target in the game was receiver Dwight Clark, who caught 5 passes for 104 yards.

See main article: article and The Catch (American football). [22]

49ers +3

CowboysGame Statistics49ers
16First downs26
32–115Rushes–yards31–127
173Passing yards286
16–24–122–35–3
4–38Sacked–yards3–20
135Net passing yards266
250Total yards393
102Return yards136
6–39.33–35.7
4–2Fumbles–lost3–3
5–39Penalties–yards7–106
32:57Time of possession27:03

Individual stats

The 49ers were making their third appearance in the NFC Championship Game. Their opponent was their opponent for the two previous NFC Championship Games-the Dallas Cowboys. In both previous matches, the 49ers had lost the game. The game is remembered for "The Catch".

The play, remembered in 49er lore as "Red Right Tight—Sprint Right Option" had called for both the primary receiver, Solomon, and Dwight Clark to line up on the right. Montana was supposed to roll to his right and find Solomon. Clark's pattern called for him to cut left across the end zone, stop, and immediately reverse his path to the right. If Solomon were covered, it would be up to Montana to find Clark. Due to the pressure, Montana's pass was high, but Clark was in position to make his memorable grab. Future New England Patriots/Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who grew up in the Bay Area, attended the game as a four-year-old. The 49ers were victorious despite an astonishing six turnovers, including three interceptions by Joe Montana.

A photograph of the catch, with Clark at the height of his leap and Everson Walls reaching out to try to block the ball, was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated the following week.

Super Bowl XVI

[23]

Awards and records

1982 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl

See main article: article and 1982 Pro Bowl.

NumberPlayerPositionConference
87Dwight ClarkWRNFC Pro Bowlers
51Randy CrossRG, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
74Fred DeanDENFC Pro Bowlers
22Dwight HicksSNFC Pro Bowlers
42Ronnie LottRCB, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
16Joe MontanaQB, StarterNFC Pro Bowlers
[24]

Media

Pre season Local TV

Local Radio

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Remembering the Silverdome and the 49er dynasty.
  2. Web site: 1981 San Francisco 49ers Draftees. Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. Web site: 1981 San Francisco 49ers starters and roster . Pro-Football-Reference.com . November 14, 2014.
  4. News: Team rosters . Spokane Chronicle . (Washington) . January 23, 1982 . 12.
  5. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981090611 The Football Database
  6. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981091303 The Football Database
  7. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981092009 The Football Database
  8. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981092708 The Football Database
  9. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981100412 The Football Database
  10. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981101103 The Football Database
  11. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981101811 The Football Database
  12. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981102506 The Football Database
  13. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981110112 The Football Database
  14. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981110801 The Football Database
  15. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981111504 The Football Database
  16. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981112211 The Football Database
  17. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981112907 The Football Database
  18. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981120612 The Football Database
  19. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981121306 The Football Database
  20. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1981122009 The Football Database
  21. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1982010302 The Football Database
  22. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1982011002 The Football Database
  23. https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore.html?gid=1982012401 The Football Database
  24. Book: . San Francisco 49ers 2015 Media Guide . San Francisco 49ers . 517 .

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