1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|NFL team season}} |
{{short description|NFL team season}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} |
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{{Infobox NFL season |
{{Infobox NFL team season |
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| team = Pittsburgh Steelers |
| team = Pittsburgh Steelers |
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| logo = |
| logo = |
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| owner = [[Art Rooney]] |
| owner = [[Art Rooney]] |
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| stadium = [[Three Rivers Stadium]] |
| stadium = [[Three Rivers Stadium]] |
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| playoffs = '' |
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify'' |
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| pro bowlers = CB [[Mel Blount]]<br>LB [[Jack Lambert (American football)|Jack Lambert]]<br>S [[Donnie Shell]]<br>C [[Mike Webster]] |
| pro bowlers = CB [[Mel Blount]]<br>LB [[Jack Lambert (American football)|Jack Lambert]]<br>S [[Donnie Shell]]<br>C [[Mike Webster]] |
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| AP All-pros = Mel Blount ''<small>(1st team)</small>''<br>Jack Lambert ''<small>(1st team)</small>''<br>Mike Webster ''<small>(1st team)</small>''<br>Donnie Shell ''<small>(2nd team)</small>'' |
| AP All-pros = Mel Blount ''<small>(1st team)</small>''<br>Jack Lambert ''<small>(1st team)</small>''<br>Mike Webster ''<small>(1st team)</small>''<br>Donnie Shell ''<small>(2nd team)</small>'' |
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| shortnavlink = Steelers seasons |
| shortnavlink = Steelers seasons |
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}} |
}} |
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The '''1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season''' was the franchise's 49th in the [[National Football League]]. After enduring an injury plagued 9–7 season the previous year |
The '''1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season''' was the franchise's 49th in the [[National Football League]]. After enduring an injury plagued 9–7 season the previous year and missing the playoffs for the first time since 1971, the Steelers had hoped that the 1980 season was just a small hiatus from contending for championships. However, while the Steelers had flashes of their former glory years after starting the season with 2 unimpressive losses, the 1981 season would end in an 8–8 record and eventually prove the end of the Steelers great dynasty of the 1970s. The Steelers had a chance to make the playoffs with an 8–5 start to the year but lost all of their last three games to miss the playoffs. |
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==Offseason== |
==Offseason== |
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===NFL draft=== |
===NFL draft=== |
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{{main|1981 NFL draft}} |
{{main|1981 NFL draft}} |
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|BDC1=#EEC607 |
|BDC1=#EEC607 |
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|Front Office= |
|Front Office= |
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*Chairman of the |
* Chairman of the board – [[Art Rooney|Arthur J. Rooney]] |
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*President – [[Dan Rooney|Daniel M. Rooney]] |
* President – [[Dan Rooney|Daniel M. Rooney]] |
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*Vice |
* Vice president – John R. McGinley |
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*Vice |
* Vice president – Arthur J. Rooney, Jr. |
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*Controller – Dennis P. Thimons |
* Controller – Dennis P. Thimons |
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*Traveling |
* Traveling secretary – James A. Boston |
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*Public |
* Public relations director – Ed Kiely |
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*Publicity |
* Publicity director – Joe Gordon |
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*Assistant |
* Assistant publicity director – John Evenson |
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*Director of |
* Director of ticket sales – Geraldine Glenn |
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*Director of |
* Director of player personnel – [[Dick Haley]] |
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*Assistant |
* Assistant director of player personnel – [[Bill Nunn (American football)|William Nunn, Jr.]] |
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*Talent |
* Talent scout – West Coast – [[Bob Schmitz]] |
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*Pro |
* Pro talent scout – [[Tom Modrak]] |
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*College |
* College talent scout – [[Joe Krupa]] |
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|Head Coaches= |
|Head Coaches= |
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*Head |
* Head coach – [[Chuck Noll]] |
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*Assistant |
* Assistant head coach – [[George Perles]] |
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|Offensive Coaches= |
|Offensive Coaches= |
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*Offensive |
* Offensive line – [[Rollie Dotsch]] |
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*Offensive |
* Offensive backfield – [[Dick Hoak]] |
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*Receivers – [[Tom Moore (American football coach)|Tom Moore]] |
* Receivers – [[Tom Moore (American football coach, born 1938)|Tom Moore]] |
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|Defensive Coaches= |
|Defensive Coaches= |
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*Defensive |
* Defensive coordinator – [[Woody Widenhofer]] |
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*Defensive |
* Defensive assistant – [[Tony Dungy]] |
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*Defensive |
* Defensive backfield – [[Dick Walker (American football)|Dick Walker]] |
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|Strength and Conditioning= |
|Strength and Conditioning= |
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*[[Paul Uram]] |
*[[Paul Uram]] |
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*Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber |
*Physician, M.D. – Dr. David S. Huber |
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*Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates |
*Physician, M.D. – Dr. Anthony P. Yates |
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*Physician, |
* Physician, orthopedic – Dr. Paul Steele |
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*Neurological |
* Neurological surgery consultant – Dr. Joseph C. Maroon |
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*Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek |
* Dentist – Dr. George P. Boucek |
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*Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli |
* Ophthalmologist – Dr. Phillip Buzzelli |
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*Trainer – Ralph Berlin |
* Trainer – Ralph Berlin |
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*Assistant |
* Assistant trainer – Gary Stragar |
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*Equipment |
* Equipment manager – Anthony Parisi |
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*Field |
* Field manager – Rodgers Freyvogel |
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*Film |
* Film director – Bob McCartney |
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*Photographers – Harry Homa, Bill Amatucci |
* Photographers – Harry Homa, Bill Amatucci |
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<ref name=1981MediaGuide>{{cite book |title=1981 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide}}</ref> |
<ref name=1981MediaGuide>{{cite book |title=1981 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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|Wide Receivers= |
|Wide Receivers= |
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{{NFLplayer|87|Johnnie Dirden|KR}} |
{{NFLplayer|87|Johnnie Dirden|KR}} |
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{{NFLplayer|86|Jim Smith|d= |
{{NFLplayer|86|Jim Smith|d=wide receiver|PR }} |
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{{NFLplayer|82|John Stallworth}} |
{{NFLplayer|82|John Stallworth}} |
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{{NFLplayer|88|Lynn Swann}} |
{{NFLplayer|88|Lynn Swann}} |
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{{NFLplayer|67|Gary Dunn|DT}} |
{{NFLplayer|67|Gary Dunn|DT}} |
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{{NFLplayer|95|John Goodman|d=American football |DE}} |
{{NFLplayer|95|John Goodman|d=American football |DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|75|Joe Greene |
{{NFLplayer|75|Joe Greene|DT}} |
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{{NFLplayer|68|L. C. Greenwood|DE}} |
{{NFLplayer|68|L. C. Greenwood|DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|90| Bob Kohrs|DE}} |
{{NFLplayer|90| Bob Kohrs|DE}} |
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{{NFLplayer|47|Mel Blount|CB}} |
{{NFLplayer|47|Mel Blount|CB}} |
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{{NFLplayer|29|Ron Johnson|d= cornerback|DB}} |
{{NFLplayer|29|Ron Johnson|d= cornerback|DB}} |
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{{NFLplayer|31| |
{{NFLplayer|31|Donnie Shell|SS}} |
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{{NFLplayer|26|J. T. Thomas|d=defensive back|FS }} |
{{NFLplayer|26|J. T. Thomas|d=defensive back|FS }} |
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{{NFLplayer|42|Anthony Washington|d= American football|DB}} |
{{NFLplayer|42|Anthony Washington|d= American football|DB}} |
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|Reserve Lists= |
|Reserve Lists= |
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{{NFLplayer|78|Joe Cugliari|DT|IR}} |
{{NFLplayer|78|Joe Cugliari|rookie=y|DT|IR}} |
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{{NFLplayer|55|Rick Donnalley |
{{NFLplayer|55|Rick Donnalley|rookie=y|C-G|IR}} |
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{{NFLplayer|46|Steve Fedell|LB|IR}} |
{{NFLplayer|46|Steve Fedell|LB|IR}} |
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{{NFLplayer|46|Bryan Hinkle|LB|IR}} |
{{NFLplayer|46|Bryan Hinkle|rookie=y|LB|IR}} |
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{{NFLplayer|25|Ricky Martin|d=American football|WR|IR}} |
{{NFLplayer|25|Ricky Martin|d=American football|WR|IR}} |
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{{NFLplayer|87|Frank Wilson|d=b. 1958|RB/TE|IR}} |
{{NFLplayer|87|Frank Wilson|d=b. 1958|RB/TE|IR}} |
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<ref name=1981MediaGuide/> |
<ref name=1981MediaGuide/> |
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<ref>{{cite book |title=1982 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide}}</ref> |
<ref>{{cite book |title=1982 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide}}</ref> |
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<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1981_roster.htm|title=1981 Pittsburgh Steelers|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com| |
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1981_roster.htm|title=1981 Pittsburgh Steelers|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2014-12-19}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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=== Schedule === |
=== Schedule === |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
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|- |
|- |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Week |
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! Week |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Date |
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! Date |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Opponent |
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! Opponent |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Game Site |
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! Game Site |
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! Kickoff <small>([[North American Eastern Time Zone|ET]])</small> |
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Kickoff <small>([[North American Eastern Time Zone|ET]])</small> |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| TV |
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! TV |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Result |
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! Result |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Record |
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! Record |
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|-style="background:#ddffdd;" |
|-style="background:#ddffdd;" |
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! 1 |
! 1 |
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| {{dow tooltip|August 8, 1981}} |
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| Sat. Aug. 8 |
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| at [[Cleveland Browns]] |
| at [[1981 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] |
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| [[Cleveland Municipal Stadium]] |
| [[Cleveland Municipal Stadium]] |
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| 7:30 p.m. |
| 7:30 p.m. |
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|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
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! 2 |
! 2 |
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| {{dow tooltip|August 15, 1981}} |
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| Sat. Aug. 15 |
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| at [[Philadelphia Eagles]] |
| at [[1981 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]] |
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| [[Veterans Stadium]] |
| [[Veterans Stadium]] |
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| 6:00 p.m. |
| 6:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background: #ffdddd;" |
|-style="background: #ffdddd;" |
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! 3 |
! 3 |
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| {{dow tooltip|August 22, 1981}} |
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| Sat. Aug. 22 |
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| at [[Dallas Cowboys]] |
| at [[1981 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] |
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| [[Texas Stadium]] |
| [[Texas Stadium]] |
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| 9:00 p.m. |
| 9:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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! 4 |
! 4 |
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| {{dow tooltip|August 29, 1981}} |
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| Sat. Aug. 29 |
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| [[New York Giants]] |
| [[1981 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] |
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| [[Three Rivers Stadium]] |
| [[Three Rivers Stadium]] |
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| 6:00 p.m. |
| 6:00 p.m. |
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=== Schedule === |
=== Schedule === |
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{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
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|- |
|- |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Week |
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! Week |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Date |
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! Date |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Opponent |
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! Opponent |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Game Site |
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! Game Site |
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! Kickoff <small>([[North American Eastern Time Zone|ET]])</small> |
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Kickoff <small>([[North American Eastern Time Zone|ET]])</small> |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| TV |
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! TV |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Result |
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! Result |
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! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Pittsburgh Steelers|year=1981|border=2}}"| Record |
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! Record |
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|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
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! 1 |
! 1 |
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| |
| September 6 |
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| [[Kansas City Chiefs]] |
| [[1981 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] |
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| [[Three Rivers Stadium]] |
| [[Three Rivers Stadium]] |
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| 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
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! 2 |
! 2 |
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| {{dow tooltip|September 10, 1981}} |
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| Thu. Sep. 10 |
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| at [[Miami Dolphins]] |
| at [[1981 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] |
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| [[Miami Orange Bowl]] |
| [[Miami Orange Bowl]] |
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| 8:30 p.m. |
| 8:30 p.m. |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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! 3 |
! 3 |
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| |
| September 20 |
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| [[New York Jets]] |
| [[1981 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] |
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| Three Rivers Stadium |
| Three Rivers Stadium |
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| 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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! 4 |
! 4 |
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| |
| September 27 |
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| [[New England Patriots]] |
| [[1981 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] |
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| Three Rivers Stadium |
| Three Rivers Stadium |
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| 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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! 5 |
! 5 |
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| |
| October 4 |
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| at [[New Orleans Saints]] |
| at [[1981 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]] |
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| [[Louisiana Superdome]] |
| [[Louisiana Superdome]] |
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| 2:00 p.m. |
| 2:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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! 6 |
! 6 |
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| |
| October 11 |
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| [[Cleveland Browns]] |
| '''[[1981 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]''' |
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| Three Rivers Stadium |
| Three Rivers Stadium |
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| 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
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! 7 |
! 7 |
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| |
| October 18 |
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| at [[Cincinnati Bengals]] |
| at '''[[1981 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]''' |
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| [[Riverfront Stadium]] |
| [[Riverfront Stadium]] |
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| 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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! 8 |
! 8 |
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| {{dow tooltip|October 26, 1981}} |
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| Mon. Oct. 26 |
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| [[Houston Oilers]] |
| '''[[1981 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]]''' |
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| Three Rivers Stadium |
| Three Rivers Stadium |
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| 9:00 p.m. |
| 9:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
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! 9 |
! 9 |
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| |
| November 1 |
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| [[San Francisco 49ers]] |
| [[1981 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] |
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| Three Rivers Stadium |
| Three Rivers Stadium |
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| 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
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! 10 |
! 10 |
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| |
| November 8 |
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| at [[Seattle Seahawks]] |
| at [[1981 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] |
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| [[Kingdome]] |
| [[Kingdome]] |
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| 4:00 p.m. |
| 4:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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! 11 |
! 11 |
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| |
| November 15 |
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| at [[Atlanta Falcons]] |
| at [[1981 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] |
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| [[Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium]] |
| [[Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium]] |
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| 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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! 12 |
! 12 |
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| |
| November 22 |
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| at [[Cleveland Browns]] |
| at '''[[1981 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]''' |
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| [[Cleveland Municipal Stadium]] |
| [[Cleveland Municipal Stadium]] |
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| 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
|-style="background: #ddffdd;" |
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! 13 |
! 13 |
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| |
| November 29 |
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| [[Los Angeles Rams]] |
| [[1981 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]] |
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| Three Rivers Stadium |
| Three Rivers Stadium |
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| 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
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! 14 |
! 14 |
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| {{dow tooltip|December 7, 1981}} |
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| Mon. Dec. 7 |
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| at [[Oakland Raiders]] |
| at [[1981 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] |
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| [[Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]] |
| [[Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]] |
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| 9:00 p.m. |
| 9:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
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! 15 |
! 15 |
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| |
| December 13 |
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| [[Cincinnati Bengals]] |
| '''[[1981 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]''' |
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| Three Rivers Stadium |
| Three Rivers Stadium |
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| 1:00 p.m. |
| 1:00 p.m. |
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|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
|-style="background:#ffdddd;" |
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! 16 |
! 16 |
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| |
| December 20 |
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| at [[Houston Oilers]] |
| at '''[[1981 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]]''' |
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| [[Astrodome]] |
| [[Astrodome]] |
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| 4:00 p.m. |
| 4:00 p.m. |
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| 8–8 |
| 8–8 |
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|} |
|} |
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'''Note:''' Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text. |
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=== Game summaries === |
=== Game summaries === |
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==== Week 1 (Sunday September 6, 1981): vs. [[Kansas City Chiefs]] ==== |
==== Week 1 (Sunday, September 6, 1981): vs. [[1981 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] ==== |
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{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
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|Road='''Chiefs''' |
|Road='''Chiefs''' |
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* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EDT |
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EDT |
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* '''Game weather:''' 67°F, wind 5 |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|67|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|5|mph|km/h knots}} |
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* '''Game attendance:''' 53,305 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 53,305 |
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* '''Referee:''' [[Jim Tunney (American football official)|Jim Tunney]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Jim Tunney (American football official)|Jim Tunney]] |
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* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Bob Costas]] (play by play), [[Bob Trumpy]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Bob Costas]] (play by play), [[Bob Trumpy]] (color commentator) |
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'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
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* Pittsburgh – [[Lynn Swann|Swann]] 18 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] (kick failed) |
* Pittsburgh – [[Lynn Swann|Swann]] 18 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] (kick failed) |
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* Kansas City – Howard 65 fumble return (Lowery kick) |
* Kansas City – Howard 65 fumble return (Lowery kick) |
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==== Week 2 (Thursday September 10, 1981): at [[Miami Dolphins]] ==== |
==== Week 2 (Thursday, September 10, 1981): at [[1981 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road=Steelers |
|Road=Steelers |
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* '''Game time:''' 8:30 pm EDT |
* '''Game time:''' 8:30 pm EDT |
||
* '''Game weather:''' 81°F, wind 10 |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|81|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|10|mph|km/h knots}} |
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* '''Game attendance:''' 74,190 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 74,190 |
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* '''Referee:''' [[Red Cashion]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Red Cashion]] |
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* '''TV announcers:''' (ABC) [[Frank Gifford]] (play by play), [[Fran Tarkenton]] & [[Howard Cosell]] (color commentators) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (ABC) [[Frank Gifford]] (play by play), [[Fran Tarkenton]] & [[Howard Cosell]] (color commentators) |
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'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
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* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 23 |
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 23 |
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* Miami – FG von Schamann 32 |
* Miami – FG von Schamann 32 |
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==== Week 3 (Sunday September 20, 1981): vs. [[New York Jets]] ==== |
==== Week 3 (Sunday, September 20, 1981): vs. [[1981 New York Jets season|New York Jets]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road=Jets |
|Road=Jets |
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* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EDT |
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EDT |
||
* '''Game weather:''' 59°F, wind 17 |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|59|°F|°C|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|17|mph|km/h knots}} |
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* '''Game attendance:''' 52,973 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 52,973 |
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* '''Referee:''' [[Gordon McCarter]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Gordon McCarter]] |
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* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Don Criqui]] (play by play), [[John Brodie]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Don Criqui]] (play by play), [[John Brodie]] (color commentator) |
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'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
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* Pittsburgh – Davis 9 run ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – Davis 9 run ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
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Line 498: | Line 502: | ||
* New York Jets – McNeil 17 pass from Ryan (Leahy kick) |
* New York Jets – McNeil 17 pass from Ryan (Leahy kick) |
||
==== Week 4 (Sunday September 27, 1981): vs. [[New England Patriots]] ==== |
==== Week 4 (Sunday, September 27, 1981): vs. [[1981 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road=Patriots |
|Road=Patriots |
||
Line 516: | Line 520: | ||
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EDT |
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EDT |
||
* '''Game weather:''' 68°F, wind 17 |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|68|°F|°C|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|17|mph|km/h knots}} |
||
* '''Game attendance:''' 53,344 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 53,344 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Gene Barth]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Gene Barth]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Bob Costas]] (play by play), [[Bob Trumpy]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Bob Costas]] (play by play), [[Bob Trumpy]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Pittsburgh – [[Franco Harris|Harris]] 1 run ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – [[Franco Harris|Harris]] 1 run ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
Line 531: | Line 535: | ||
* Pittsburgh – [[Lynn Swann|Swann]] 24 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] |
* Pittsburgh – [[Lynn Swann|Swann]] 24 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] |
||
==== Week 5 (Sunday October 4, 1981): at [[New Orleans Saints]] ==== |
==== Week 5 (Sunday, October 4, 1981): at [[New Orleans Saints]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road='''Steelers''' |
|Road='''Steelers''' |
||
Line 552: | Line 556: | ||
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Sam Nover]] (play by play), [[Harmon Wages]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Sam Nover]] (play by play), [[Harmon Wages]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Pittsburgh – [[Lynn Swann|Swann]] 16 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – [[Lynn Swann|Swann]] 16 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
Line 561: | Line 565: | ||
* Pittsburgh – [[John Stallworth|Stallworth]] 47 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – [[John Stallworth|Stallworth]] 47 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
==== Week 6 (Sunday October 11, 1981): vs. [[Cleveland Browns]] ==== |
==== Week 6 (Sunday, October 11, 1981): vs. [[1981 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road=Browns |
|Road=Browns |
||
Line 577: | Line 581: | ||
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EDT |
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EDT |
||
* '''Game weather:''' 51°F, wind 6 |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|51|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|6|mph|km/h knots}} |
||
* '''Game attendance:''' 53,255 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 53,255 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Ben Dreith]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Ben Dreith]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Don Criqui]] (play by play), [[John Brodie]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Don Criqui]] (play by play), [[John Brodie]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Pittsburgh – [[John Stallworth|Stallworth]] 9 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – [[John Stallworth|Stallworth]] 9 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
Line 589: | Line 593: | ||
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 23 |
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 23 |
||
==== Week 7 (Sunday October 18, 1981): at [[Cincinnati Bengals]] ==== |
==== Week 7 (Sunday, October 18, 1981): at [[1981 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road= Steelers |
|Road= Steelers |
||
Line 605: | Line 609: | ||
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EDT |
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EDT |
||
* '''Game weather:''' |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|57|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|20|mph|km/h knots}} |
||
* '''Game attendance:''' 57,090 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 57,090 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Jerry Markbreit]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Jerry Markbreit]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Don Criqui]] (play by play), [[John Brodie]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Don Criqui]] (play by play), [[John Brodie]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Cincinnati – FG Breech 27 |
* Cincinnati – FG Breech 27 |
||
Line 620: | Line 624: | ||
* Pittsburgh – Smith 17 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – Smith 17 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
==== Week 8 (Monday October 26, 1981): vs. [[Houston Oilers]] ==== |
==== Week 8 (Monday, October 26, 1981): vs. [[1981 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road=Oilers |
|Road=Oilers |
||
Line 636: | Line 640: | ||
* '''Game time:''' 9:00 pm EST |
* '''Game time:''' 9:00 pm EST |
||
* '''Game weather:''' |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|53|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|10|mph|km/h knots}} |
||
* '''Game attendance:''' 52,732 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 52,732 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Fred Silva]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Fred Silva]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (ABC) [[Frank Gifford]] (play by play), [[Don Meredith]] (color |
* '''TV announcers:''' (ABC) [[Frank Gifford]] (play by play), [[Don Meredith]] & [[Fran Tarkenton]] (color commentators) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 19 |
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 19 |
||
Line 652: | Line 656: | ||
* Pittsburgh – [[Franco Harris|Harris]] 1 run ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – [[Franco Harris|Harris]] 1 run ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
==== Week 9 (Sunday November 1, 1981): vs. [[San Francisco 49ers]] ==== |
==== Week 9 (Sunday, November 1, 1981): vs. [[1981 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road='''49ers''' |
|Road='''49ers''' |
||
Line 668: | Line 672: | ||
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EST |
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EST |
||
* '''Game weather:''' |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|50|°F|°C|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|8|mph|km/h knots}} |
||
* '''Game attendance:''' 52,878 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 52,878 |
||
* '''Referee:''' Bob Frederic |
* '''Referee:''' Bob Frederic |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (CBS) [[Vin Scully]] (play by play), [[Hank Stram]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (CBS) [[Vin Scully]] (play by play), [[Hank Stram]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* San Francisco – Young 5 pass from [[Joe Montana|Montana]] (Wersching kick) |
* San Francisco – Young 5 pass from [[Joe Montana|Montana]] (Wersching kick) |
||
Line 681: | Line 685: | ||
* San Francisco – Easley 1 run (Wersching kick) |
* San Francisco – Easley 1 run (Wersching kick) |
||
==== Week 10 (Sunday November 8, 1981): at [[Seattle Seahawks]] ==== |
==== Week 10 (Sunday, November 8, 1981): at [[1981 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road=Steelers |
|Road=Steelers |
||
Line 700: | Line 704: | ||
* '''Game attendance:''' 59,058 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 59,058 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Dick Jorgensen]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Dick Jorgensen]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[ |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Jay Randolph]] (play by play), [[Rocky Bleier]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Pittsburgh – [[Franco Harris|Harris]] 6 run ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – [[Franco Harris|Harris]] 6 run ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
Line 712: | Line 716: | ||
* Seattle – T. Brown 1 run (Herrera kick) |
* Seattle – T. Brown 1 run (Herrera kick) |
||
==== Week 11 (Sunday November 15, 1981): at [[Atlanta Falcons]] ==== |
==== Week 11 (Sunday, November 15, 1981): at [[1981 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road='''Steelers''' |
|Road='''Steelers''' |
||
Line 728: | Line 732: | ||
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EST |
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EST |
||
* '''Game weather:''' |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|53|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|11|mph|km/h knots}} |
||
* '''Game attendance:''' 57,485 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 57,485 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Pat Haggerty (American football official)|Pat Haggerty]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Pat Haggerty (American football official)|Pat Haggerty]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Bob Costas]] (play by play), [[Bob Trumpy]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Bob Costas]] (play by play), [[Bob Trumpy]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Pittsburgh – [[Bennie Cunningham|Cunningham]] 18 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – [[Bennie Cunningham|Cunningham]] 18 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
Line 745: | Line 749: | ||
* Atlanta – FG Luckhurst 22 |
* Atlanta – FG Luckhurst 22 |
||
==== Week 12 (Sunday November 22, 1981): at [[Cleveland Browns]] ==== |
==== Week 12 (Sunday, November 22, 1981): at [[1981 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road='''Steelers''' |
|Road='''Steelers''' |
||
Line 761: | Line 765: | ||
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EST |
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EST |
||
* '''Game weather:''' |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|30|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|15|mph|km/h knots}} |
||
* '''Game attendance:''' 77,958 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 77,958 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Gene Barth]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Gene Barth]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Don Criqui]] (play by play), [[John Brodie]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Don Criqui]] (play by play), [[John Brodie]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Cleveland – FG Bahr 33 |
* Cleveland – FG Bahr 33 |
||
Line 776: | Line 780: | ||
* Pittsburgh – Moser 5 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – Moser 5 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
==== Week 13 (Sunday November 29, 1981): vs. [[Los Angeles Rams]] ==== |
==== Week 13 (Sunday, November 29, 1981): vs. [[1981 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road=Rams |
|Road=Rams |
||
Line 792: | Line 796: | ||
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EST |
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EST |
||
* '''Game weather:''' |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|33|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|12|mph|km/h knots}} |
||
* '''Game attendance:''' 51,854 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 51,854 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Tom Dooley (American football official)|Tom Dooley]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Tom Dooley (American football official)|Tom Dooley]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (CBS) [[Vin Scully]] (play by play), [[Hank Stram]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (CBS) [[Vin Scully]] (play by play), [[Hank Stram]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Pittsburgh – [[Franco Harris|Harris]] 1 run ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – [[Franco Harris|Harris]] 1 run ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
Line 804: | Line 808: | ||
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 21 |
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 21 |
||
==== Week 14 (Monday December 7, 1981): at [[Oakland Raiders]] ==== |
==== Week 14 (Monday, December 7, 1981): at [[1981 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road=Steelers |
|Road=Steelers |
||
Line 820: | Line 824: | ||
* '''Game time:''' 9:00 pm EST |
* '''Game time:''' 9:00 pm EST |
||
* '''Game weather:''' |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|56|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|7|mph|km/h knots}} |
||
* '''Game attendance:''' 51,769 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 51,769 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Jim Tunney (American football official)|Jim Tunney]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Jim Tunney (American football official)|Jim Tunney]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (ABC) [[Frank Gifford]] (play by play), [[Don Meredith]] & [[Howard Cosell]] (color commentators) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (ABC) [[Frank Gifford]] (play by play), [[Don Meredith]] & [[Howard Cosell]] (color commentators) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Pittsburgh – [[Bennie Cunningham|Cunningham]] 5 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – [[Bennie Cunningham|Cunningham]] 5 pass from [[Terry Bradshaw|Bradshaw]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
Line 837: | Line 841: | ||
* Pittsburgh – Smith 17 pass from [[Mark Malone|Malone]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – Smith 17 pass from [[Mark Malone|Malone]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
==== Week 15 (Sunday December 13, 1981): vs. [[Cincinnati Bengals]] ==== |
==== Week 15 (Sunday, December 13, 1981): vs. [[1981 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road='''Bengals''' |
|Road='''Bengals''' |
||
Line 853: | Line 857: | ||
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EST |
* '''Game time:''' 1:00 pm EST |
||
* '''Game weather:''' |
* '''Game weather:''' {{convert|27|°F|°C|1|disp=or}}, wind {{convert|5|mph|km/h knots}} |
||
* '''Game attendance:''' 50,623 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 50,623 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Red Cashion]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Red Cashion]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Don Criqui]] (play by play), [[John Brodie]] (color commentator) |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) [[Don Criqui]] (play by play), [[John Brodie]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 48 |
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 48 |
||
Line 866: | Line 870: | ||
* Pittsburgh – [[Franco Harris|Harris]] 2 pass from [[Mark Malone|Malone]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
* Pittsburgh – [[Franco Harris|Harris]] 2 pass from [[Mark Malone|Malone]] ([[David Trout|Trout]] kick) |
||
==== Week 16 (Sunday December 20, 1981): at [[Houston Oilers]] ==== |
==== Week 16 (Sunday, December 20, 1981): at [[1981 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]] ==== |
||
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
{{Linescore Amfootball| |
||
|Road=Steelers |
|Road=Steelers |
||
Line 885: | Line 889: | ||
* '''Game attendance:''' 41,056 |
* '''Game attendance:''' 41,056 |
||
* '''Referee:''' [[Bob McElwee]] |
* '''Referee:''' [[Bob McElwee]] |
||
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) Phil Stone (play by play), [[Gene Washington ( |
* '''TV announcers:''' (NBC) Phil Stone (play by play), [[Gene Washington (American football, born 1947)|Gene Washington]] (color commentator) |
||
'''Scoring |
'''Scoring drives:''' |
||
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 40 |
* Pittsburgh – FG [[David Trout|Trout]] 40 |
||
Line 903: | Line 907: | ||
1. Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide 1982 |
1. Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide 1982 |
||
{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
||
==External links== |
|||
* [http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/1981.htm 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season] at Profootballreference.com |
|||
* [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1981-pit 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season] statistics at jt-sw.com |
|||
{{Pittsburgh Steelers seasons}} |
{{Pittsburgh Steelers seasons}} |
Latest revision as of 13:17, 24 February 2024
1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season | |
---|---|
Owner | Art Rooney |
General manager | Dick Haley |
Head coach | Chuck Noll |
Home field | Three Rivers Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 8–8 |
Division place | 2nd AFC Central |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | CB Mel Blount LB Jack Lambert S Donnie Shell C Mike Webster |
AP All-Pros | Mel Blount (1st team) Jack Lambert (1st team) Mike Webster (1st team) Donnie Shell (2nd team) |
Team MVP | Jack Lambert |
The 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 49th in the National Football League. After enduring an injury plagued 9–7 season the previous year and missing the playoffs for the first time since 1971, the Steelers had hoped that the 1980 season was just a small hiatus from contending for championships. However, while the Steelers had flashes of their former glory years after starting the season with 2 unimpressive losses, the 1981 season would end in an 8–8 record and eventually prove the end of the Steelers great dynasty of the 1970s. The Steelers had a chance to make the playoffs with an 8–5 start to the year but lost all of their last three games to miss the playoffs.
Offseason
[edit]NFL draft
[edit]1981 Pittsburgh Steelers draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 17 | Keith Gary | Defensive end | Oklahoma | |
Made roster |
Staff
[edit]
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Roster
[edit]Preseason
[edit]Zeitplan
[edit]Week | Date | Opponent | Game Site | Kickoff (ET) | TV | Result | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 8 | at Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 7:30 p.m. | WPXI | W 34–31 | 1–0 |
2 | August 15 | at Philadelphia Eagles | Veterans Stadium | 6:00 p.m. | WPXI | L 36–20 | 1–1 |
3 | August 22 | at Dallas Cowboys | Texas Stadium | 9:00 p.m. | NBC | L 24–14 | 1–2 |
4 | August 29 | New York Giants | Three Rivers Stadium | 6:00 p.m. | WPXI | W 31–6 | 2–2 |
Regular season
[edit]Zeitplan
[edit]Week | Date | Opponent | Game Site | Kickoff (ET) | TV | Result | Record |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 6 | Kansas City Chiefs | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | L 37–33 | 0–1 |
2 | September 10 | at Miami Dolphins | Miami Orange Bowl | 8:30 p.m. | ABC | L 30–10 | 0–2 |
3 | September 20 | New York Jets | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | W 38–10 | 1–2 |
4 | September 27 | New England Patriots | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | W 27–21 (OT) | 2–2 |
5 | October 4 | at New Orleans Saints | Louisiana Superdome | 2:00 p.m. | NBC | W 20–6 | 3–2 |
6 | October 11 | Cleveland Browns | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | W 13–7 | 4–2 |
7 | October 18 | at Cincinnati Bengals | Riverfront Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | L 34–7 | 4–3 |
8 | October 26 | Houston Oilers | Three Rivers Stadium | 9:00 p.m. | ABC | W 26–13 | 5–3 |
9 | November 1 | San Francisco 49ers | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | L 17–14 | 5–4 |
10 | November 8 | at Seattle Seahawks | Kingdome | 4:00 p.m. | NBC | L 24–21 | 5–5 |
11 | November 15 | at Atlanta Falcons | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | W 34–20 | 6–5 |
12 | November 22 | at Cleveland Browns | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | W 32–10 | 7–5 |
13 | November 29 | Los Angeles Rams | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | CBS | W 24–0 | 8–5 |
14 | December 7 | at Oakland Raiders | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 9:00 p.m. | ABC | L 30–27 | 8–6 |
15 | December 13 | Cincinnati Bengals | Three Rivers Stadium | 1:00 p.m. | NBC | L 17–10 | 8–7 |
16 | December 20 | at Houston Oilers | Astrodome | 4:00 p.m. | NBC | L 21–20 | 8–8 |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
[edit]Week 1 (Sunday, September 6, 1981): vs. Kansas City Chiefs
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chiefs | 10 | 3 | 10 | 14 | 37 |
Steelers | 6 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
- Game weather: 67 °F or 19.4 °C, wind 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h; 4.3 kn)
- Game attendance: 53,305
- Referee: Jim Tunney
- TV announcers: (NBC) Bob Costas (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Swann 18 pass from Bradshaw (kick failed)
- Kansas City – Marshall 48 pass from Kenney (Lowery kick)
- Kansas City – FG Lowery 35
- Pittsburgh – Harris 7 run (kick failed)
- Pittsburgh – Harris 1 run (Trout kick)
- Kansas City – FG Lowery 40
- Kansas City – Carson 53 pass from Kenney (Lowery kick)
- Pittsburgh – Hawthorne 1 run (Trout kick)
- Kansas City – FG Lowery 42
- Kansas City – McKnight 3 run (Lowery kick)
- Pittsburgh – Smith 41 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Kansas City – Howard 65 fumble return (Lowery kick)
Week 2 (Thursday, September 10, 1981): at Miami Dolphins
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Dolphins | 0 | 13 | 14 | 3 | 30 |
at Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
- Game time: 8:30 pm EDT
- Game weather: 81 °F or 27.2 °C, wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
- Game attendance: 74,190
- Referee: Red Cashion
- TV announcers: (ABC) Frank Gifford (play by play), Fran Tarkenton & Howard Cosell (color commentators)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 23
- Miami – Woodley 1 run (kick failed)
- Miami – Franklin 1 run (von Schamann kick)
- Pittsburgh – Smith 32 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Miami – Nathan 13 pass from Woodley (von Schamann kick)
- Miami – Vigorito 87 punt return (von Schamann kick)
- Miami – FG von Schamann 32
Week 3 (Sunday, September 20, 1981): vs. New York Jets
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jets | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
Steelers | 7 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 38 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
- Game weather: 59 °F or 15 °C, wind 17 miles per hour (27 km/h; 15 kn)
- Game attendance: 52,973
- Referee: Gordon McCarter
- TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Davis 9 run (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 25
- Pittsburgh – Pollard 23 run (Trout kick)
- New York Jets – FG Leahy 47
- Pittsburgh – Bradshaw 1 run (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – Pollard 1 run (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – Thornton 1 run (Trout kick)
- New York Jets – McNeil 17 pass from Ryan (Leahy kick)
Week 4 (Sunday, September 27, 1981): vs. New England Patriots
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Patriots | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 21 |
Steelers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 27 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
- Game weather: 68 °F or 20 °C, wind 17 miles per hour (27 km/h; 15 kn)
- Game attendance: 53,344
- Referee: Gene Barth
- TV announcers: (NBC) Bob Costas (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Harris 1 run (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – Cunningham 1 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- New England – Cavanaugh 1 run (Smith kick)
- Pittsburgh – Harris 1 run (Trout kick)
- New England – Collins 10 run (Smith kick)
- New England – Morgan 12 pass from Cavanaugh (Smith kick)
- Pittsburgh – Swann 24 pass from Bradshaw
Week 5 (Sunday, October 4, 1981): at New Orleans Saints
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 7 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
Saints | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Game time: 2:00 pm EDT
- Game weather: Dome
- Game attendance: 64,578
- Referee: Jerry Seeman
- TV announcers: (NBC) Sam Nover (play by play), Harmon Wages (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Swann 16 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 25
- New Orleans – FG Ricardo 26
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 43
- New Orleans – FG Ricardo 33
- Pittsburgh – Stallworth 47 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
Week 6 (Sunday, October 11, 1981): vs. Cleveland Browns
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Browns | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Steelers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
- Game weather: 51 °F or 10.6 °C, wind 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h; 5.2 kn)
- Game attendance: 53,255
- Referee: Ben Dreith
- TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Stallworth 9 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 19
- Cleveland – Newsome 29 pass from Sipe (Bahr kick)
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 23
Week 7 (Sunday, October 18, 1981): at Cincinnati Bengals
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Bengals | 10 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Game time: 1:00 pm EDT
- Game weather: 57 °F or 13.9 °C, wind 20 miles per hour (32 km/h; 17 kn)
- Game attendance: 57,090
- Referee: Jerry Markbreit
- TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Cincinnati – FG Breech 27
- Cincinnati – Johnson 3 run (Breech kick)
- Cincinnati – FG Breech 23
- Cincinnati – Verser 73 pass from Ken Anderson (Breech kick)
- Cincinnati – Alexander 3 run (Breech kick)
- Cincinnati – Johnson 5 pass from Ken Anderson (Breech kick)
- Pittsburgh – Smith 17 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
Week 8 (Monday, October 26, 1981): vs. Houston Oilers
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oilers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
Steelers | 10 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 26 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time: 9:00 pm EST
- Game weather: 53 °F or 11.7 °C, wind 10 miles per hour (16 km/h; 8.7 kn)
- Game attendance: 52,732
- Referee: Fred Silva
- TV announcers: (ABC) Frank Gifford (play by play), Don Meredith & Fran Tarkenton (color commentators)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 19
- Pittsburgh – Smith 46 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Houston – FG Fritsch 34
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 19
- Houston – Casper 52 pass from Stabler (Fritsch kick)
- Houston – FG Fritsch 44
- Pittsburgh – Stallworth 6 pass from Bradshaw (kick failed)
- Pittsburgh – Harris 1 run (Trout kick)
Week 9 (Sunday, November 1, 1981): vs. San Francisco 49ers
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
49ers | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
Steelers | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time: 1:00 pm EST
- Game weather: 50 °F or 10 °C, wind 8 miles per hour (13 km/h; 7.0 kn)
- Game attendance: 52,878
- Referee: Bob Frederic
- TV announcers: (CBS) Vin Scully (play by play), Hank Stram (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- San Francisco – Young 5 pass from Montana (Wersching kick)
- San Francisco – FG Wersching 45
- Pittsburgh – Blount 50 interception return (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – Smith 22 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- San Francisco – Easley 1 run (Wersching kick)
Week 10 (Sunday, November 8, 1981): at Seattle Seahawks
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Seahawks | 3 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
at The Kingdome, Seattle, Washington
- Game time: 4:00 pm EST
- Game weather: Dome
- Game attendance: 59,058
- Referee: Dick Jorgensen
- TV announcers: (NBC) Jay Randolph (play by play), Rocky Bleier (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Harris 6 run (Trout kick)
- Seattle – FG Herrera 37
- Pittsburgh – Malone 90 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – Thornton 4 run (Trout kick)
- Seattle – Doornink 44 pass from Zorn (Herrera kick)
- Seattle – T. Brown 1 run (Herrera kick)
- Seattle – T. Brown 1 run (Herrera kick)
Week 11 (Sunday, November 15, 1981): at Atlanta Falcons
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 7 | 7 | 13 | 7 | 34 |
Falcons | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 20 |
at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Game time: 1:00 pm EST
- Game weather: 53 °F or 11.7 °C, wind 11 miles per hour (18 km/h; 9.6 kn)
- Game attendance: 57,485
- Referee: Pat Haggerty
- TV announcers: (NBC) Bob Costas (play by play), Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Cunningham 18 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – Stallworth 6 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Atlanta – Jackson 35 pass from Bartkowski (Luckhurst kick)
- Pittsburgh – Stallworth 19 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Atlanta – FG Luckhurst 43
- Pittsburgh – Grossman 14 pass from Bradshaw (kick blocked)
- Atlanta – Jenkins 30 pass from Bartkowski (Luckhurst kick)
- Pittsburgh – Swann 22 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Atlanta – FG Luckhurst 22
Week 12 (Sunday, November 22, 1981): at Cleveland Browns
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 12 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 32 |
Browns | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
- Game time: 1:00 pm EST
- Game weather: 30 °F or −1.1 °C, wind 15 miles per hour (24 km/h; 13 kn)
- Game attendance: 77,958
- Referee: Gene Barth
- TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Cleveland – FG Bahr 33
- Pittsburgh – Hawthorne 1 run (kick failed)
- Pittsburgh – Thornton 3 run (kick failed)
- Cleveland – Logan 13 pass from Sipe (Bahr kick)
- Pittsburgh – Harris 2 run (kick failed)
- Pittsburgh – Pinney 1 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – Moser 5 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
Week 13 (Sunday, November 29, 1981): vs. Los Angeles Rams
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Steelers | 7 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time: 1:00 pm EST
- Game weather: 33 °F or 0.6 °C, wind 12 miles per hour (19 km/h; 10 kn)
- Game attendance: 51,854
- Referee: Tom Dooley
- TV announcers: (CBS) Vin Scully (play by play), Hank Stram (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Harris 1 run (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – Swann 9 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – Bradshaw 1 run (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 21
Week 14 (Monday, December 7, 1981): at Oakland Raiders
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 27 |
Raiders | 0 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 30 |
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California
- Game time: 9:00 pm EST
- Game weather: 56 °F or 13.3 °C, wind 7 miles per hour (11 km/h; 6.1 kn)
- Game attendance: 51,769
- Referee: Jim Tunney
- TV announcers: (ABC) Frank Gifford (play by play), Don Meredith & Howard Cosell (color commentators)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – Cunningham 5 pass from Bradshaw (Trout kick)
- Oakland – Ramsey 25 pass from Wilson (Bahr kick)
- Pittsburgh – Smith 19 pass from Malone (Trout kick)
- Oakland – Whittington 17 pass from Wilson (Bahr kick)
- Pittsburgh – Malone 11 run (kick failed)
- Oakland – Chandler 36 pass from Wilson (kick failed)
- Oakland – Watts 53 punt return (Bahr kick)
- Oakland – FG Bahr 29
- Pittsburgh – Smith 17 pass from Malone (Trout kick)
Week 15 (Sunday, December 13, 1981): vs. Cincinnati Bengals
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
Steelers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Game time: 1:00 pm EST
- Game weather: 27 °F or −2.8 °C, wind 5 miles per hour (8.0 km/h; 4.3 kn)
- Game attendance: 50,623
- Referee: Red Cashion
- TV announcers: (NBC) Don Criqui (play by play), John Brodie (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 48
- Cincinnati – FG Breech 38
- Cincinnati – Curtis 2 pass from Ken Anderson (Breech kick)
- Cincinnati – Kreider 22 pass from Ken Anderson (Breech kick)
- Pittsburgh – Harris 2 pass from Malone (Trout kick)
Week 16 (Sunday, December 20, 1981): at Houston Oilers
[edit]1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 3 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 20 |
Oilers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
- Game time: 4:00 pm EST
- Game weather: Dome
- Game attendance: 41,056
- Referee: Bob McElwee
- TV announcers: (NBC) Phil Stone (play by play), Gene Washington (color commentator)
Scoring drives:
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 40
- Houston – Casper 15 pass from Nielsen (Fritsch kick)
- Houston – Casper 23 pass from Nielsen (Fritsch kick)
- Pittsburgh – FG Trout 37
- Pittsburgh – Thornton 17 run (Trout kick)
- Pittsburgh – Malone 2 run (Trout kick)
- Houston – Casper 16 pass from Nielsen (Fritsch kick)
Standings
[edit]AFC Central | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Cincinnati Bengals(1) | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 10–2 | 421 | 304 | W2 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3–3 | 5–7 | 356 | 297 | L3 |
Houston Oilers | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 6–6 | 281 | 355 | W1 |
Cleveland Browns | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 2–10 | 276 | 375 | L5 |
References
[edit]1. Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide 1982
- ^ a b 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
- ^ 1982 Pittsburgh Steelers Media Guide.
- ^ "1981 Pittsburgh Steelers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
External links
[edit]- 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season at Profootballreference.com
- 1981 Pittsburgh Steelers season statistics at jt-sw.com