1981 Cincinnati Bengals Game-by-Game Results
Team Record: 12-4
Finishing 1st in the NFL's Central Division of the American Football Conference
Postseason: 2-1 Lost Super Bowl
Coach: Forrest Gregg (12-4)
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
1981 Cincinnati Bengals Roster
The Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League ended the 1981 season with a record of 12 wins and 4 losses, finishing first in the NFL's Central Division of the American Football Conference. The team compiled a postseason mark of 2-1.
The Bengals piled up points with 421 points, while the defense surrendered 304. Ken Anderson directed the offense, slinging for 3,754 yards. Dan Ross paced all receivers, grabbing 71 passes, while Cris Collinsworth accumulated 1,009 receiving yards.
Pete Johnson carried the ball for a team-best 1,077 yards for Cincinnati.
Ken Riley seized 5 opponent throws.
Forrest Gregg coached the team. The 1981 Cincinnati Bengals lost in the Super Bowl.
Click on column headings to sort.
Regular Season Points For: 421
Regular Season Points Against: 304
| Date | Game | Res | Home | Road | Record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 6, 1981 | Seattle Seahawks 21 at Cincinnati Bengals 27 | W | 1-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | ||
| September 13, 1981 | Cincinnati Bengals 31 at New York Jets 30 | W | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-0-0 | ||
| September 20, 1981 | Cleveland Browns 20 at Cincinnati Bengals 17 | L | 1-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-1-0 | ||
| September 27, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 24 at Cincinnati Bengals 27 | W | 2-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 3-1-0 | OT | |
| October 4, 1981 | Cincinnati Bengals 10 at Houston Oilers 17 | L | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 3-2-0 | ||
| October 11, 1981 | Cincinnati Bengals 41 at Baltimore Colts 19 | W | 2-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 4-2-0 | ||
| October 18, 1981 | Pittsburgh Steelers 7 at Cincinnati Bengals 34 | W | 3-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 5-2-0 | ||
| October 25, 1981 | Cincinnati Bengals 7 at New Orleans Saints 17 | L | 3-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 5-3-0 | ||
| November 1, 1981 | Houston Oilers 21 at Cincinnati Bengals 34 | W | 4-1-0 | 2-2-0 | 6-3-0 | ||
| November 8, 1981 | Cincinnati Bengals 40 at San Diego Chargers 17 | W | 4-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 7-3-0 | ||
| November 15, 1981 | Los Angeles Rams 10 at Cincinnati Bengals 24 | W | 5-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 8-3-0 | ||
| November 22, 1981 | Denver Broncos 21 at Cincinnati Bengals 38 | W | 6-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 9-3-0 | ||
| November 29, 1981 | Cincinnati Bengals 41 at Cleveland Browns 21 | W | 6-1-0 | 4-2-0 | 10-3-0 | ||
| December 6, 1981 | San Francisco 49ers 21 at Cincinnati Bengals 3 | L | 6-2-0 | 4-2-0 | 10-4-0 | ||
| December 13, 1981 | Cincinnati Bengals 17 at Pittsburgh Steelers 10 | W | 6-2-0 | 5-2-0 | 11-4-0 | ||
| December 20, 1981 | Cincinnati Bengals 30 at Atlanta Falcons 28 | W | 6-2-0 | 6-2-0 | 12-4-0 | ||
| January 3, 1982 | Buffalo Bills 21 at Cincinnati Bengals 28 | W | 1-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | AFC Divisional Playoff | |
| January 10, 1982 | San Diego Chargers 7 at Cincinnati Bengals 27 | W | 2-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 2-0-0 | AFC Championship | |
| January 24, 1982 | San Francisco 49ers 26 at Cincinnati Bengals 21 | L | 2-1-0 | 0-0-0 | 2-1-0 | Super Bowl 16 Pontiac, MI |
