1981 Buffalo Bills Game-by-Game Results
Team Record: 10-6
Finishing 3rd in the NFL's East Division of the American Football Conference
Postseason: 1-1 Lost Division Playoff
Coach: Chuck Knox (10-6)
Location: Buffalo, New York
1981 Buffalo Bills Roster
The Buffalo Bills of the National Football League ended the 1981 season with a record of 10 wins and 6 losses, finishing third in the NFL's East Division of the American Football Conference. The team compiled a postseason mark of 1-1.
Buffalo scored 311 points, while the rigid defensive squad yielded 276. Joe Ferguson directed the offense, throwing for 3,652 yards. Frank Lewis topped all receivers, hauling in 70 balls for 1,244 yards, while Jerry Butler was targeted regularly, too.
Joe Cribbs rushed for a team-leading 1,097 yards for the Bills.
Mario Clark picked off 5 opponent throws.
Chuck Knox coached the team. The 1981 Buffalo Bills lost in the Division Playoff.
Click on column headings to sort.
Regular Season Points For: 311
Regular Season Points Against: 276
| Date | Game | Res | Home | Road | Record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 6, 1981 | New York Jets 0 at Buffalo Bills 31 | W | 1-0-0 | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | ||
| September 13, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 35 at Baltimore Colts 3 | W | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-0-0 | ||
| September 17, 1981 | Philadelphia Eagles 20 at Buffalo Bills 14 | L | 1-1-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-1-0 | ||
| September 27, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 24 at Cincinnati Bengals 27 | L | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 2-2-0 | OT | |
| October 4, 1981 | Baltimore Colts 17 at Buffalo Bills 23 | W | 2-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 3-2-0 | ||
| October 12, 1981 | Miami Dolphins 21 at Buffalo Bills 31 | W | 3-1-0 | 1-1-0 | 4-2-0 | ||
| October 18, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 14 at New York Jets 33 | L | 3-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 4-3-0 | ||
| October 25, 1981 | Denver Broncos 7 at Buffalo Bills 9 | W | 4-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 5-3-0 | ||
| November 1, 1981 | Cleveland Browns 13 at Buffalo Bills 22 | W | 5-1-0 | 1-2-0 | 6-3-0 | ||
| November 9, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 14 at Dallas Cowboys 27 | L | 5-1-0 | 1-3-0 | 6-4-0 | ||
| November 15, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 0 at St. Louis Cardinals 24 | L | 5-1-0 | 1-4-0 | 6-5-0 | ||
| November 22, 1981 | New England Patriots 17 at Buffalo Bills 20 | W | 6-1-0 | 1-4-0 | 7-5-0 | ||
| November 29, 1981 | Washington Redskins 14 at Buffalo Bills 21 | W | 7-1-0 | 1-4-0 | 8-5-0 | ||
| December 6, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 28 at San Diego Chargers 27 | W | 7-1-0 | 2-4-0 | 9-5-0 | ||
| December 13, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 19 at New England Patriots 10 | W | 7-1-0 | 3-4-0 | 10-5-0 | ||
| December 19, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 6 at Miami Dolphins 16 | L | 7-1-0 | 3-5-0 | 10-6-0 | ||
| December 27, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 31 at New York Jets 27 | W | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | AFC Wild Card Playoff | |
| January 3, 1982 | Buffalo Bills 21 at Cincinnati Bengals 28 | L | 0-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | AFC Divisional Playoff |
