| Team: | Seattle Seahawks |
| Year: | 1981 |
| Record: | 6–10 |
| Division Place: | 5th AFC West |
| Coach: | Jack Patera |
| General Manager: | John Thompson |
| Owner: | The Nordstrom family |
| Stadium: | Kingdome |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers: | WR Steve Largent |
| Ap All-Pros: | None |
| Shortnavlink: | Seahawks seasons |
The 1981 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's sixth season with the National Football League (NFL). The Seahawks got off to a terrible start, losing six of their first seven games, on the way to a 6–10 season. Steve Largent would have a stellar season with 1,224 receiving yards. Seattle opened their season at Cincinnati, and held a 21–0 lead before the Bengals rallied for an improbable 27–21 win. This loss proved to be the beginning of the end for the Seahawks in 1981, as they would struggle as the season progressed.
See main article: 1981 NFL draft.
| Mike Babb | Punter | Oregon | |
| Kim Baker | Linebacker | Nebraska | |
| David Bayle | Tight End | Washington | |
| Dan Boomhower | Running back | Kearney State | |
| Dave Boschma | Safety | Linfield | |
| Chris Buono | Safety | Furman | |
| Brad Chace | Safety | Colorado | |
| Bob Chauza | Tackle | Northwest Missouri State | |
| Bob Danenhauer | Linebacker | Nebraska–Omaha | |
| Bill Fenn | Fullback | Illinois State | |
| Steve Griffiths | Linebacker | Penn State |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco 49ers | L 24–27 | 0–1 | Kingdome | Recap | ||
| 2 | St. Louis Cardinals | L 21–30 | 0–2 | Kingdome | Recap | ||
| 3 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 17–24 | 0–3 | Candlestick Park | Recap | ||
| 4 | Baltimore Colts | W 31–17 | 1–3 | Kingdome | Recap |
Source: Seahawks Media Guides[2] [3]
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 6 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 21–27 | 0–1 | Riverfront Stadium | Recap | |
| 2 | September 13 | Denver Broncos | W 13–10 | 1–1 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 3 | September 20 | at Oakland Raiders | L 10–20 | 1–2 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | Recap | |
| 4 | September 27 | Kansas City Chiefs | L 14–20 | 1–3 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 5 | October 4 | at San Diego Chargers | L 10–24 | 1–4 | Jack Murphy Stadium | Recap | |
| 6 | October 11 | at Houston Oilers | L 17–35 | 1–5 | Houston Astrodome | Recap | |
| 7 | October 18 | New York Giants | L 0–32 | 1–6 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 8 | October 25 | at New York Jets | W 19–3 | 2–6 | Shea Stadium | Recap | |
| 9 | November 1 | at Green Bay Packers | L 24–34 | 2–7 | Lambeau Field | Recap | |
| 10 | November 8 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W 24–21 | 3–7 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 11 | San Diego Chargers | W 44–23 | 4–7 | Kingdome | Recap | ||
| 12 | November 22 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 13–40 | 4–8 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap | |
| 13 | November 29 | Oakland Raiders | L 31–32 | 4–9 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 14 | December 6 | New York Jets | W 27–23 | 5–9 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 15 | December 13 | at Denver Broncos | L 13–23 | 5–10 | Mile High Stadium | Recap | |
| 16 | December 20 | Cleveland Browns | W 42–21 | 6–10 | Kingdome | Recap |
Bold indicates division opponents.
Source: 1981 NFL season results[4]