1981 Denver Broncos season

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.

1981 Denver Broncos season
Owner	Edgar Kaiser
General manager	Grady Alderman
Head coach	Dan Reeves
Home stadium	Mile High Stadium
Results
Record	10–6
Division place	2nd AFC West
Playoffs	Did not qualify
← 1980 Broncos seasons 1982 →

Uniforms of the Broncos from 1968-96

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]

NFL draft

Main article: 1981 NFL draft

1981 Denver Broncos draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
1	15	Dennis Smith *	S	USC
2	42	Clay Brown	TE	BYU
4	106	Mark Herrmann	QB	Purdue
5	125	Ken Lanier	T	Florida State
6	151	Alvin Lewis	RB	Colorado State
7	181	Steve Busick	LB	USC
9	234	Rusty Olsen	DE	Washington
11	290	Pat Walker	WR	Miami (FL)
12	317	John Hankerd	LB	Notre Dame
12	321	Mandel Robinson	RB	Wyoming
Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

Staff

1981 Denver Broncos staff

Front office Owner – Edgar Kaiser General Manager – Grady Alderman Director of Player Personnel – John Beake Director of Scouting – Carroll Hardy Head coaches Head Coach – Dan Reeves Special Assistant – Nick Nicolau Offensive coaches Running Backs – Charlie Lee Wide Receivers – Rod Dowhower Tight Ends – Fran Polsfoot Offensive Line – Jerry Frei

Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Joe Collier Defensive Line – Stan Jones Linebackers – Bob Zeman Defensive Backs – Richie McCabe Special teams coaches Special Teams – Reed Johnson

Source:^[8]

Roster

1981 Denver Broncos roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 17 Steve DeBerg 10 Mark Herrmann  7 Craig Morton Running backs (RB) 35 Larry Canada 41 Rob Lytle 24 Rick Parros 46 Dave Preston 32 Tony Reed Wide receivers (WR) 83 Wade Manning 25 Haven Moses 80 Rick Upchurch 81 Steve Watson Tight ends (TE) 85 Ron Egloff 88 Riley Odoms 87 James Wright

Offensive linemen (OL) 64 Billy Bryan C 73 Kelvin Clark T 62 Tom Glassic G 65 Glenn Hyde C/G 60 Paul Howard G 76 Ken Lanier T 71 Claudie Minor T 70 Dave Studdard T Defensive linemen (DL) 77 Greg Boyd DE 68 Rubin Carter NT 79 Barney Chavous DE 75 Rulon Jones DE 72 Don Latimer NT 66 Brison Manor DE

Linebackers (LB) 58 Steve Busick ILB 56 Larry Evans ILB 53 Randy Gradishar ILB 57 Tom Jackson OLB 59 Mark Merrill ILB 50 Jim Ryan OLB 51 Bob Swenson OLB Defensive backs (DB) 43 Steve Foley FS 31 Mike Harden FS 22 Aaron Kyle CB 49 Dennis Smith CB 39 Roland Solomon CB 36 Bill Thompson SS 37 Steve Trimble CB Special teams (ST) 11 Luke Prestridge P 19 Fred Steinfort K

Reserve 82 Amp Arnold WR (IR) 54 Keith Bishop G (IR) 55 Matt Braswell C/G (IR) 89 Clay Brown TE (IR) 52 Tom Davis C (IR) 84 Jimmy Robinson WR (IR) 45 Perry Smith CB (IR) 20 Louis Wright CB (IR) Rookies in italics

Source:

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	August 7	New York Jets	L 7–33	0–1	Mile High Stadium	63,644
2	August 15	at Miami Dolphins	L 14–24	0–2	Miami Orange Bowl	41,502
3	August 22	Green Bay Packers	W 17–7	1–2	Mile High Stadium	72,450
4	August 29	at Cincinnati Bengals	W 24–20	2–2	Riverfront Stadium	41,713

Regular season

Main article: 1981 NFL season

Schedule

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	November 2	Minnesota Vikings	W 19–17	6–3	Mile High Stadium	74,834
10	November 8	Cleveland Browns	W 23–20 OT	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.

^[9]

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 6, 1981): vs. Oakland Raiders

Week 1: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	7	0	0	0	7
Broncos	6	3	0	0	9

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: September 6
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 74,796
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play–by–play) and Len Dawson (color commentator)
• ^[10][11]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
OAK	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP OAK DEN 1 Raiders Chester 9-yard touchdown reception from Plunkett, Bahr kick good 7 0 1 Broncos Upchurch 44-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Morton kick no good (pass failed) 7 6 2 Broncos 29-yard field goal by Steinfort 7 9 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 7 9

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Raiders	Game Statistics	Broncos
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 2 (Sunday, September 13, 1981): at Seattle Seahawks

Week 2: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	3	7	0	0	10
Seahawks	7	3	3	0	13

at Kingdome • Seattle, Washington

• Date: September 13
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game weather: indoors (dome)
• Game attendance: 58,513
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas (play–by–play) and Jim Turner (color commentator)
• ^[12][13]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SEA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN SEA 1 Broncos 30-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 0 4 Seahawks Boyd 3-yard touchdown reception from Zorn, Herrera kick good 3 7 2 Seahawks 43-yard field goal by Herrera 3 10 2 Broncos Odoms 11-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 10 10 3 Seahawks 22-yard field goal by Herrera 10 13 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 10 13

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Broncos	Game Statistics	Seahawks
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 3 (Sunday, September 20, 1981): vs. Baltimore Colts

Week 3: Baltimore Colts at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colts	0	0	10	0	10
Broncos	0	14	14	0	28

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: September 20
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 74,804
• Referee: Chuck Heberling
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play–by–play) and Jim Turner (color commentator)
• ^[14][15]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
BAL	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP BAL DEN 2 Broncos Egloff 7-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 0 7 2 Broncos Watson 29-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 0 14 3 Colts 21-yard field goal by Wood 3 14 3 Colts Dickey 63-yard touchdown run, Wood kick good 10 14 3 Broncos Watson 18-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 10 21 3 Broncos Watson 48-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 10 28 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 10 28

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Colts	Game Statistics	Broncos
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 4 (Sunday, September 27, 1981): vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 4: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	0	0	10	14	24
Broncos	21	7	7	7	42

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: September 27
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 74,822
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)
• ^[16][17]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SD	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP SD DEN 1 Broncos Odoms 19-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 0 7 1 Broncos Watson 93-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 0 14 1 Broncos J Wright 2-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 0 21 2 Broncos Watson 21-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 0 28 3 Broncos Preston 2-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 0 35 3 Chargers Smith 39-yard touchdown reception from Fouts, Benirschke kick good 7 35 3 Chargers 52-yard field goal by Benirschke 10 35 4 Chargers Cappelletti 1-yard touchdown run, Benirschke kick good 17 35 4 Chargers Winslow 1-yard touchdown reception from Fouts, Benirschke kick good 24 35 4 Broncos Lytle 3-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 24 42 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 42

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Chargers	Game Statistics	Broncos
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 5 (Sunday, October 4, 1981): at Oakland Raiders

Week 5: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	7	10	0	17
Raiders	0	0	0	0	0

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum • Oakland, California

• Date: October 4
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 51,035
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play–by–play) and Len Dawson (color commentator)
• ^[18][19]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
OAK	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN OAK 2 Broncos Preston 4-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 7 0 3 Broncos 31-yard field goal by Steinfort 10 0 3 Broncos Parros 20-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 17 0 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 0

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Broncos	Game Statistics	Raiders
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 6 (Sunday, October 11, 1981): vs. Detroit Lions

Week 6: Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	7	14	0	0	21
Broncos	10	7	3	7	27

• Date: October 11
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 74,618
• Referee: Bob McElwee
• TV announcers (CBS): Frank Glieber (play–by–play) and John Dockery (color commentator)
• ^[20][21]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DET	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DET DEN 1 Broncos Watson 95-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 0 7 1 Broncos 24-yard field goal by Steinfort 0 10 1 Lions Sims 48-yard touchdown run, Murray kick good 7 10 2 Lions Sims 1-yard touchdown run, Murray kick good 14 10 2 Broncos Watson 40-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 14 17 2 — — — Lions Interception returned 60 yards for touchdown by Hall, Murray kick good 21 17 3 Broncos 24-yard field goal by Steinfort 21 20 4 Broncos Parros 15-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 21 27 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 21 27

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Lions	Game Statistics	Broncos
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 7 (Sunday, October 18, 1981): at Kansas City Chiefs

Week 7: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	0	7	7	14
Chiefs	14	0	0	14	28

at Arrowhead Stadium • Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: October 18
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 74,672
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas (play–by–play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
• ^[22][23]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
KC	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN KC 1 Chiefs Jackson 1-yard touchdown run, Lowery kick good 0 7 1 — — — Chiefs Fumble recovery returned 47 yards for touchdown by Paul, Lowery kick good 0 14 3 Broncos Watson 11-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 7 14 4 Chiefs Marshall 64-yard touchdown reception from Kenney, Lowery kick good 7 21 4 Broncos Watson 11-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 14 21 4 Chiefs Delaney 82-yard touchdown run, Lowery kick good 14 28 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 28

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Broncos	Game Statistics	Chiefs
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 8 (Sunday, October 25, 1981): at Buffalo Bills

Week 8: Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	7	0	0	7
Bills	0	3	3	3	9

at Rich Stadium • Orchard Park, New York

• Date: October 25
• Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST
• Game attendance: 77,757
• Referee: Gene Barth
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)
• ^[24][25]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
BUF	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN BUF 2 Broncos Watson 36-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 7 0 2 Bills 41-yard field goal by Mike-Mayer 7 3 3 Bills 46-yard field goal by Mike-Mayer 7 6 4 Bills 36-yard field goal by Mike-Mayer 7 9 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 7 9

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Broncos	Game Statistics	Bills
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 9 (Monday, November 2, 1981): vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 9: Minnesota Vikings at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Vikings	0	3	0	14	17
Broncos	0	3	3	13	19

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: November 2
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 74,834
• Referee: Fred Wyant
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play–by–play), Howard Cosell (color commentator) and Fran Tarkenton (color commentator)
• ^[26][27]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
MIN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP MIN DEN 2 Broncos 42-yard field goal by Steinfort 0 3 2 Vikings 32-yard field goal by Danmeier 3 3 3 Broncos 49-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 6 4 Broncos Lytle 5-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick no good 3 12 4 Broncos Watson 15-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 3 19 4 Vikings Galbreath 1-yard touchdown run, Danmeier kick good 10 19 4 Vikings Galbreath 1-yard touchdown run, Danmeier kick good 17 19 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 19

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Vikings	Game Statistics	Broncos
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 10 (Sunday, November 8, 1981): vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 10: Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Browns	0	7	7	6	0	20
Broncos	3	7	3	7	3	23

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: November 8
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 74,859
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)
• ^[28][29]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
CLE	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP CLE DEN 1 Broncos 45-yard field goal by Steinfort 0 3 2 Browns Miller 1-yard touchdown run, Bahr kick good 7 3 2 Broncos Watson 5-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 7 10 3 Broncos 43-yard field goal by Steinfort 7 13 3 Browns Logan 23-yard touchdown reception from Sipe, Bahr kick good 14 13 4 Broncos Preston 4-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 14 20 4 Browns 27-yard field goal by Bahr 17 20 4 Browns 32-yard field goal by Bahr 20 20 OT Broncos 30-yard field goal by Steinfort 20 23 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 23

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Browns	Game Statistics	Broncos
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 11 (Sunday, November 15, 1981): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 11: Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	7	0	7	10	24
Buccaneers	0	0	7	0	7

at Tampa Stadium • Tampa, Florida

• Date: November 15
• Game time: 11:02 a.m. MST
• Game attendance: 64,518
• Referee: Jim Tunney
• TV announcers (NBC): Merle Harmon (play–by–play) and George Kunz (color commentator)
• ^[30][31]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
TB	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN TB 1 4:04 10 45 Broncos Odoms 12-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 7 0 3 13:53 — — — Buccaneers Interception returned 40 yards for touchdown by Brown, Capece kick good 7 7 3 7:22 13 80 Broncos Canada 1-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 14 7 4 13:33 13 60 Broncos Canada 3-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Steinfort kick good 21 7 4 11:01 4 3 Broncos 31-yard field goal by Steinfort 24 7 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 7

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 2 hours, 45 minutes

Broncos	Game Statistics	Buccaneers
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 12 (Sunday, November 22, 1981): at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 12: Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	7	0	14	21
Bengals	14	14	0	10	38

at Riverfront Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio

• Date: November 22
• Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST
• Game attendance: 57,207
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas (play–by–play) and Gene Washington (color commentator)
• ^[32][33]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
CIN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN CIN 1 Bengals Johnson 39-yard touchdown run, Breech kick good 0 7 1 Bengals Johnson 2-yard touchdown reception from Anderson, Breech kick good 0 14 2 Broncos Lytle 5-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 7 14 2 Bengals Anderson 2-yard touchdown run, Breech kick good 7 21 2 Bengals Collinsworth 7-yard touchdown reception from Anderson, Breech kick good 7 28 4 Bengals 38-yard field goal by Breech 7 31 4 Broncos Watson 14-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Steinfort kick good 14 31 4 Bengals Alexander 65-yard touchdown reception from Anderson, Breech kick good 14 38 4 Broncos Lytle 14-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Steinfort kick good 21 38 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 21 38

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Broncos	Game Statistics	Bengals
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 13 (Sunday, November 29, 1981): at San Diego Chargers

Week 13: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	10	0	7	17
Chargers	14	13	7	0	34

at Jack Murphy Stadium • San Diego, California

• Date: November 29
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 51,533
• Referee: Bob McElwee
• TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)
• ^[34][35]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SD	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN SD 1 Chargers Muncie 14-yard touchdown run, Benirschke kick good 0 7 1 Chargers Muncie 1-yard touchdown run, Benirschke kick good 0 14 2 Broncos Canada 4-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 7 14 2 Chargers Muncie 4-yard touchdown run, Benirschke kick good 7 20 2 Broncos 21-yard field goal by Steinfort 10 20 2 Chargers Muncie 3-yard touchdown run, Benirschke kick good 10 27 3 Chargers Sievers 1-yard touchdown reception from Fouts, Benirschke kick good 10 34 4 Broncos Moses 10-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Steinfort kick good 17 34 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 34

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Broncos	Game Statistics	Chargers
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 14 (Sunday, December 6, 1981): vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week 14: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	0	6	7	0	13
Broncos	7	9	0	0	16

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: December 6
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 74,744
• Referee: Red Cashion
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)
• ^[36][37]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
KC	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP KC DEN 1 Broncos Lytle 2-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 0 7 2 Broncos 21-yard field goal by Steinfort 0 10 2 Broncos Canada 2-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick no good 0 16 2 Chiefs 43-yard field goal by Lowery 3 16 2 Chiefs 45-yard field goal by Lowery 6 16 3 Chiefs Hadnot 1-yard touchdown run, Lowery kick good 13 16 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 13 16

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Chiefs	Game Statistics	Broncos
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 15 (Sunday, December 13, 1981): vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 15: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	0	3	3	7	13
Broncos	7	3	6	7	23

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: December 13
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 74,527
• Referee: Fred Wyant
• TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play–by–play) and Jim Turner (color commentator)
• ^[38][39]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SEA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP SEA DEN 1 Broncos Odoms 22-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 0 7 2 Seahawks 28-yard field goal by Alvarez 3 7 2 Broncos 33-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 10 3 Broncos 43-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 13 3 Broncos 24-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 16 3 Seahawks 20-yard field goal by Alvarez 6 16 4 Broncos Parros 8-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 6 23 4 Seahawks Hughes 5-yard touchdown reception from Krieg, Alvarez kick good 13 23 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 13 23

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Seahawks	Game Statistics	Broncos
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Week 16 (Sunday, December 20, 1981); at Chicago Bears

Week 16: Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos (10–6)	3	0	14	7	24
Bears (6–10)	0	14	14	7	35

at Soldier Field • Chicago, Illinois

• Date: December 20
• Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST
• Game attendance: 40,125
• Referee: Gordon McCarter
• TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas (play–by–play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
• ^[40][41]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
CHI	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN CHI 1 Broncos 46-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 0 2 Bears Payton 19-yard touchdown reception from Evans, Roveto kick good 3 7 2 Bears Harper 4-yard touchdown run, Roveto kick good 3 14 3 — — — Bears Interception returned 69 yards for touchdown by Fencik, Roveto kick good 3 21 3 Broncos Odoms 6-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 10 21 3 — — — Bears Interception returned 44 yards for touchdown by Harris, Roveto kick good 10 28 3 Broncos Upchurch 25-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Steinfort kick good 17 28 4 Bears Payton 25-yard touchdown reception from Evans, Roveto kick good 17 35 4 Broncos Upchurch 39-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Steinfort kick good 24 35 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 35

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

Broncos	Game Statistics	Bears
	First downs
	Rushes–yards
	Passing yards
	Passes
	Sacked–yards
	Net passing yards
	Total yards
	Return yards
	Punts
	Fumbles–lost
	Penalties–yards
	Time of possession

Individual stats

Standings

AFC West
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
San Diego Chargers(3)	10	6	0	.625	6–2	8–4	478	390	W2
Denver Broncos	10	6	0	.625	5–3	7–5	321	289	L1
Kansas City Chiefs	9	7	0	.563	5–3	7–5	343	290	W1
Oakland Raiders	7	9	0	.438	2–6	5–7	273	343	L2
Seattle Seahawks	6	10	0	.375	2–6	6–8	322	388	W1