The 1981 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 11–5 record in 1980. In the playoffs they beat the Dolphins in a game known as the Epic in Miami and lost to the Bengals in a game known as the Freezer Bowl.
1981 was the second straight season in which the Chargers reached the AFC Championship Game,[1] as well as their second consecutive loss.
Running back Chuck Muncie enjoyed his best season, running for 1,144 yards and 19 touchdowns, tying the then-NFL season record for rushing touchdowns.[2][3]
During this season, the Chargers lost two key players by way of trade. Before Week 3, wide receiver John Jefferson was dealt to the Green Bay Packers, while defensive end Fred Dean would be dealt to the eventual Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers by Week 5. The season was chronicled on September 18, 2008 for America's Game: The Missing Rings, as one of the five greatest NFL teams to never win the Super Bowl.
Schedule[edit]
| Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| 1 |
September 7, 1981 |
at Cleveland Browns |
W 44–14 |
78,904
|
| 2 |
September 13, 1981 |
Detroit Lions |
W 28–23 |
51,264
|
| 3 |
September 20, 1981 |
at Kansas City Chiefs |
W 42–31 |
63,866
|
| 4 |
September 27, 1981 |
at Denver Broncos |
L 42–24 |
74,822
|
| 5 |
October 4, 1981 |
Seattle Seahawks |
W 24–10 |
51,463
|
| 6 |
October 11, 1981 |
Minnesota Vikings |
L 33–31 |
50,708
|
| 7 |
October 18, 1981 |
at Baltimore Colts |
W 43–14 |
41,921
|
| 8 |
October 25, 1981 |
at Chicago Bears |
L 20–17 |
52,906
|
| 9 |
November 1, 1981 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
W 22–20 |
51,307
|
| 10 |
November 8, 1981 |
Cincinnati Bengals |
L 40–17 |
51,259
|
| 11 |
November 16, 1981 |
at Seattle Seahawks |
L 44–23 |
58,628
|
| 12 |
November 22, 1981 |
at Oakland Raiders |
W 55–21 |
50,199
|
| 13 |
November 29, 1981 |
Denver Broncos |
W 34–17 |
51,533
|
| 14 |
December 6, 1981 |
Buffalo Bills |
L 28–27 |
51,488
|
| 15 |
December 13, 1981 |
at Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
W 24–23 |
67,388
|
| 16 |
December 21, 1981 |
Oakland Raiders |
W 23–10 |
52,279
|
Game summaries[edit]
Week 1: at Cleveland Browns[edit]
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Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions[edit]
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Week 3: at Kansas City Chiefs[edit]
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Week 4: at Denver Broncos[edit]
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Week 5: vs. Seattle Seahawks[edit]
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Week 6: vs. Minnesota Vikings[edit]
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Week 7: at Baltimore Colts[edit]
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Week 8: at Chicago Bears[edit]
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Week 9: vs. Kansas City Chiefs[edit]
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Week 10: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[edit]
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Week 11: at Seattle Seahawks[edit]
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Week 12: at Oakland Raiders[edit]
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| • Chargers |
7 |
21 |
20 |
7 |
55 |
| Raiders |
7 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|
| 1 |
|
Raiders |
Derrick Ramsey 66 yard pass from Marc Wilson (Chris Bahr kick) |
Raiders 7-0 |
|
| 1 |
|
Chargers |
Chuck Muncie 1 yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick) |
Tie 7-7 |
|
| 2 |
|
Raiders |
Derrick Jensen 2 yard run (Chris Bahr kick) |
Raiders 14-0 |
|
| 2 |
|
Chargers |
James Brooks 12 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick) |
Tie 14-14 |
|
| 2 |
|
Raiders |
Marc Wilson 12 yard run (Chris Bahr kick) |
Raiders 21-14 |
|
| 2 |
|
Chargers |
Kellen Winslow 15 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick) |
Tie 21-21 |
|
| 2 |
|
Chargers |
Kellen Winslow 29 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick) |
Chargers 28-21 |
|
| 3 |
|
Chargers |
Kellen Winslow 4 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick) |
Chargers 35-21 |
|
| 3 |
|
Chargers |
Kellen Winslow 5 yard pass from Dan Fouts (kick failed) |
Chargers 41-21 |
|
| 3 |
|
Chargers |
Charlie Joiner 6 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick) |
Chargers 48-21 |
|
| 4 |
|
Chargers |
Kellen Winslow 3 yard pass from Chuck Muncie (Rolf Benirschke kick) |
Chargers 55-21 |
|
Stats
- Dan Fouts 28/44, 296 Yds, 6 TD, INT
- Kellen Winslow 13 Rec, 144 Yds, 5 TD
Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos[edit]
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This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2012) |
Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills[edit]
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This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2012) |
Week 15: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers[edit]
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This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (December 2012) |
Week 16: vs. Oakland Raiders[edit]
Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Raiders |
0 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
10 |
| • Chargers |
7 |
10 |
3 |
3 |
23 |
|
|
| Scoring summary |
|
| 1 |
|
Chargers |
James Brooks 28 yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick) |
Chargers 7-0 |
|
| 2 |
|
Raiders |
Chris Bahr 34 yard field goal |
Chargers 7-3 |
|
| 2 |
|
Chargers |
Rolf Benirschke 24 yard field goal |
Chargers 10-3 |
|
| 2 |
|
Chargers |
Charlie Joiner 29 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick) |
Chargers 17-3 |
|
| 3 |
|
Raiders |
Mark van Eeghen 1 yard run (Chris Bahr kick) |
Chargers 17-10 |
|
| 3 |
|
Chargers |
Rolf Benirschke 27 yard field goal |
Chargers 20-10 |
|
| 4 |
|
Chargers |
Rolf Benirschke 39 yard field goal |
Chargers 23-10 |
|
Last regular season game of NFL season.
Playoffs[edit]
Standings[edit]
[4]
References[edit]
See also[edit]
External links[edit]
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