NFL playoffs, 1981-82
Encyclopedia
The NFL playoffs following the 1981 NFL season led up to Super Bowl XVI
. Both conference champions had losing records the previous season, the only time this has happened. All four of the AFC playoff games were between teams who had never faced each other in the postseason before. This was the only time this happened in either conference since the playoffs were expanded to ten teams in 1978.
's interception at the Buffalo 1-yard line with 2 seconds left in the game preserved a 31-27 victory and gave Buffalo their first playoff win since 1965.
The Bills jumped to a 24-0 lead by the second quarter. First New York's Bruce Harper
fumbled the opening kickoff while being tackled by Ervin Parker, and Charles Romes
returned the ball 26-yards to the end zone. Then after a punt, quarterback Joe Ferguson
completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Frank Lewis, while interceptions by Simpson and linebacker Phil Villapiano
led to a 29-yard field goal by Nick Mike-Mayer
and a 26-yard scoring reception by Lewis. However, Jets quarterback Richard Todd threw a 30-yard touchdown to tight end Mickey Shuler
, and kicker Pat Leahy added two field goals to cut Buffalo's lead, 24-13.
With about 10 minutes left in the game, running back Joe Cribbs
ran for a 45-yard touchdown, increasing the Bills lead to 31-13. But Todd then led the Jets 80 yards in 8 plays and completed a 30-yard touchdown to Bobby Jones. Then after forcing a punt, New York drove for another score, aided by a pass interference call against Bills defensive back Mario Clark
that nullified an interception. Kevin Long
finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the score to 31-27. The Jets got the ball back with 2:36 remaining and then drove 69 yards to the Buffalo 11-yard line, aided by a holding penalty that wiped out an interception by defensive back Steve Freeman
. However, Simpson's interception at the 1-yard line halted New York's comeback with 2 seconds left.
Simpson recorded 2 interceptions, while Lewis caught 7 passes for a franchise postseason record 158 yards and 2 touchdowns. Shuler caught 6 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. Todd threw for 377 yards, while Ferguson threw for 268. Both quarterbacks threw 2 touchdowns and were intercepted four times.
fumbled a punt and Beasley Reece
recovered the ball at the Philadelphia 26-yard line. A few plays later, quarterback Scott Brunner
then threw a 9-yard touchdown to running back Leon Bright
(the extra point attempt failed). Later in the first period, Brunner threw a 10-yard touchdown to wide receiver John Mistler
, Henry then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Mark Haynes
recovered the ball in the end zone to give New York a 20-0 lead. In the second quarter, Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski
completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Harold Carmichael
, but it was countered by Brunner's 22-yard touchdown to wide receiver Tom Mullady to give the Giants a 27-7 halftime lead. However, New York was shut out in the second half, while the Eagles opened the third period by marching 82 yards to score on running back Wilbert Montgomery
's 6-yard rushing touchdown. Montgomery added another touchdown with 2:51 left in the game, but the Giants were able to run out the rest of the clock to preserve the victory. It marked the Giants first post season victory since 1956
.
made a 9-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Danny White
, and Rafael Septien
later added a 32-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 10-0 halftime lead. Dallas then took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 80-yards to score on running back Ron Springs
' 1-yard rushing touchdown. Two interceptions later in the third quarter led to two more touchdowns by the Cowboys.
kicked the winning 29-yard field goal after 13:52 of overtime, ending a game that became known in NFL lore
as the Epic in Miami. This game set playoff records for the most points scored in a playoff game (79), the most total yards by both teams (1,036), and most passing yards by both teams (809). The Chargers jumped to a 24-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, but after Don Strock
replaced starting quarterback David Woodley, the Dolphins scored 17 unanswered points in the second period. On the final play of the first half, Strock threw a pass to Duriel Harris
, who then lateraled the ball
to Tony Nathan
, who then ran 25 yards to the end zone.
In the third quarter, Miami tied the game, 24-24, with Strock's 15-yard touchdown completion to tight end Joe Rose. Each team then scored two touchdowns, with San Diego quarterback Dan Fouts
's 9-yard tying score to James Brooks
with about a minute left in regulation. Dolphins kicker Uwe von Schamann
had a chance to win the game on the last play of regulation, but his field goal attempt was blocked by Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow
.
In overtime, the Chargers took the opening kickoff and advanced to the Miami 8-yard line, but Benirschke missed a 27-yard field goal attempt. Then after both teams exchanged punts twice, the Dolphins reached the San Diego 17-yard line, only to see von Schamann's 34-yard attempt get blocked by defensive lineman Leroy Jones. The Chargers then drive to the Miami 10-yard line, where Benirschke eventually kicks the winning field goal.
Strock turned in the best game of his life, completing 29 of 43 passes for 403 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Fouts put on one of the best performances of his hall of fame career, completing 33 of 53 passes for 433 yards and 3 touchdowns. The image of an exhausted Winslow, who finished the game with 13 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown, being helped off the field by two of his Chargers teammates has been constantly replayed ever since.
Two key plays allowed the Bengals to start their first two drives in Buffalo territory, and they took advantage of their field position with touchdowns on each one. First, defensive back Mike Fuller returned a punt 27 yards to the Bills 42-yard line. Six plays later, Charles Alexander
scored a 1-yard touchown run. On Buffalo's ensuing drive, defensive back Ken Riley
intercepted a pass from Ferguson and returned it to the Bills 48-yard line. Cincinnati then drove 48 yards in 8 plays and scored with fullback Pete Johnson
's 1-yard run to take an early 14-0 lead. Late in the second quarter, Ferguson's 54-yard completion to Jerry Butler
set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Joe Cribbs
, cutting the score to 14-7 by halftime.
In the third quarter, a 44-yard touchdown run by Cribbs tied the game, but he was injured on the play and was forced to sit the rest of the game out. Cincinnati scored again with Alexander's 20-yard touchdown run, but was countered by Ferguson's 20-yard touchdown pass to Butler. With 10:39 remaining in the game, Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Cris Collinsworth
, giving Cincinnati the lead, 28-21. The Bills drove to the Cincinnati 21-yard line with about three minutes left to play, and it appeared that Ferguson completed a fourth-down pass to Lou Piccone
to gain a first down. However, Buffalo was called for a delay of game penalty, and Ferguson's pass attempt on the next snap fell incomplete. The Bengals were then able to take over and run out the clock.
Anderson finished the game with 14 of 21 completions for 192 yards and a touchdown. Johnson, the team's leading rusher with 1,077 yards during the season, was held to just 45 yards, but it did not matter as the Bengals still racked up 136 yards on the ground, 72 of them and two touchdowns from Alexander. Ferguson threw for 202 yards and a touchdown, but completed only 15 of 31 passes and was intercepted twice. Cribbs finished with a career postseason high 90 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Butler caught 4 passes for 98 yards and a score.
lead the 49ers to victory in his first ever playoff game, completing 20 of 31 passes for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 1 interception. His top target in the game was receiver Dwight Clark
, who caught 5 passes for 104 yards.
The 49ers jumped to a 24-7 lead in the second quarter, and scored 2 touchdowns in the final period to secure the victory. San Francisco took the opening kickoff and advanced 85 yards to score on Montana's 8-yard touchdown to tight end Charle Young
. The Giants countered with quarterback Scott Brunner's 72-yard touchdown completion to wide receiver Earnest Gray
. Then after the 49ers went ahead, 10-7, in the second quarter, San Francisco defensive back Ronnie Lott
intercepted a pass from Brunner to set up wide receiver Freddie Solomon's
58-yard touchdown reception. Linebacker Keena Turner
recovered a fumble on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, and Ricky Patton
scored on a 25-yard touchdown run a few plays later to give the 49ers a 24-7 lead. Later, a 48-yard field goal by New York kicker Joe Danelo
made the score 24-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, Brunner completed a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Johnny Perkins to cut the score, 24-17. But in the fourth quarter, running back Bill Ring
scored on a 3-yard rushing touchdown, and Lott returned his second interception of the game 20-yards to the end zone. Brunner then made a 17-yard touchdown to Perkins to close out the scoring.
, the Bengals defeated the Chargers, 27–7. Despite a game-time temperature of -9 °F and a 35-mile-per-hour wind that sent wind chill
s as low as –59 °F, Bengals' quarterback Ken Anderson threw for 161 yards and 2 touchdown passes, with no interceptions, and rushed for 39 yards to lead his team to a victory. Cincinnati's defense intercepted San Diego quarterback Dan Fouts
twice and recovered 2 fumbles, while their offense didn't commit a single turnover until late in the final period when the game was already out of reach.
Cincinnati scored first with a 31-yard field goal from kicker Jim Breech
. Then Chargers' rookie kick returner James Brooks
lost a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and the Bengals scored a touchdown on an 8-yard pass from Anderson to tight end M. L. Harris
, increasing their lead to 10-0. In the second quarter, the Chargers cut their deficit to 10-7 with Fouts' 33-yard touchdown pass to Kellen Winslow
. But on the Chargers' next drive, Fouts was intercepted by Bengals defensive back Louis Breeden
. Breeden's interception set up another Bengals touchdown on Pete Johnson
's 1-yard run, giving them a 17–7 lead. The Bengals completely took over the game from that point on. Breech kicked another field goal in the third quarter to increase the lead to 20–7. Then in final period, Anderson put the game away with an 3-yard touchdown completion to receiver Don Bass
.
, 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark
made a leaping grab at the back of the end zone to score the winning touchdown with 51 seconds left in the game. San Francisco opened the scoring with quarterback Joe Montana's 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Freddie Solomon
. However, Dallas countered with a 44-yard field goal by Rafael Septien
, and then Tony Hill
's 26-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Danny White. Montana then threw a 20-yard touchdown to Clark, to retake the lead, 14–10. Then a controversial pass interference penalty on 49ers defensive back Ronnie Lott
nullified his interception and gave the Cowboys a first down at the San Francisco 12-yard line. Three plays later, running back Tony Dorsett
scored on a 5-yard rushing touchdown to give Dallas a 17–14 lead by halftime.
In the third quarter, the 49ers regained the lead again with a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Johnny Davis. However, Septien made a 22-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Then, Cowboys cornerback Everson Walls
recovered a fumble to set up White's 21-yard touchdown to tight end Doug Cosbie
to give Dallas a 27–21 advantage. With 4:54 left in the game, San Francisco found themselves with the ball at their own 11-yard line. They marched 83 yards to the Dallas 6-yard line, where Montana threw a high pass that Clark just managed to grab for the game winning touchdown. Other contributors on the final 89-yard drive that led to the play now referred to as “The Catch” included Freddie Solomon
(WR), Lenvil Elliott
(RB), Earl Cooper (FB), Mike Wilson
, Charle Young
(TE), Dan Audick
(LT), John Ayers
(LG), Fred Quillan
(C), Randy Cross
(RG), and Keith Fahnhorst
(RT).
However, the Cowboys still had enough time left in the game for one last drive. White threw a completion to Drew Pearson
that almost went for a touchdown, but 49ers defensive back Eric Wright made a key tackle by getting one hand inside Pearson's jersey and dragging him down. Two plays later, Lawrence Pillers
sacked While, forcing a fumble that was recovered by 49ers lineman Jim Stuckey
, and the 49ers had their victory. Clark finished the game with 8 receptions for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Super Bowl XVI
Super Bowl XVI was an American football game played on January 24, 1982, at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan to decide the National Football League champion following the 1981 regular season. It marked the first time that a Super Bowl was held at a cold-weather city...
. Both conference champions had losing records the previous season, the only time this has happened. All four of the AFC playoff games were between teams who had never faced each other in the postseason before. This was the only time this happened in either conference since the playoffs were expanded to ten teams in 1978.
AFC: Buffalo Bills 31, New York Jets 27
Bills defensive back Bill SimpsonBill Simpson (American football)
William Thomas "Bill" Simpson is a former professional American football defensive back who played in the National Football League from 1974-1982. Before his NFL career, he played defensive back and punted for Michigan State University and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2nd round of...
's interception at the Buffalo 1-yard line with 2 seconds left in the game preserved a 31-27 victory and gave Buffalo their first playoff win since 1965.
The Bills jumped to a 24-0 lead by the second quarter. First New York's Bruce Harper
Bruce Harper
Bruce Harper was an American football running back and kick returner for the New York Jets of the NFL. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Kutztown by the Jets in 1977. Bruce Harper is the all-time kick returner in New York Jets history with 5407 yards in kickoff returns...
fumbled the opening kickoff while being tackled by Ervin Parker, and Charles Romes
Charles Romes
Charles Michael Romes was an American football cornerback in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers. He played college football at North Carolina Central University....
returned the ball 26-yards to the end zone. Then after a punt, quarterback Joe Ferguson
Joe Ferguson
Joseph Carlton Ferguson, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the NFL. Ferguson played college football at the University of Arkansas, where he still holds the school's single game record for most completions and in that same season was named the Southwest Conference's Offensive...
completed a 50-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Frank Lewis, while interceptions by Simpson and linebacker Phil Villapiano
Phil Villapiano
Philip James Villapiano is a former American football linebacker in the NFL. He played in four Pro Bowls and was a part of the Oakland Raiders Super Bowl XI winning team....
led to a 29-yard field goal by Nick Mike-Mayer
Nick Mike-Mayer
Nicholas "Nick" Mike-Mayer is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League from 1973-1982 for the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Buffalo Bills. Nick made the Pro Bowl in his rookie year. He later played with the San Antonio Gunslingers of the United States...
and a 26-yard scoring reception by Lewis. However, Jets quarterback Richard Todd threw a 30-yard touchdown to tight end Mickey Shuler
Mickey Shuler
Mickey Charles Shuler Sr. , is a former professional American football tight end from 1978 to 1991. He played in 181 games over 14 seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles...
, and kicker Pat Leahy added two field goals to cut Buffalo's lead, 24-13.
With about 10 minutes left in the game, running back Joe Cribbs
Joe Cribbs
Joe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
ran for a 45-yard touchdown, increasing the Bills lead to 31-13. But Todd then led the Jets 80 yards in 8 plays and completed a 30-yard touchdown to Bobby Jones. Then after forcing a punt, New York drove for another score, aided by a pass interference call against Bills defensive back Mario Clark
Mario Clark
Mario Sean Clark was an American football cornerback who played for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers of the NFL...
that nullified an interception. Kevin Long
Kevin Long (football)
For the NFL offensive lineman of the same name see Kevin Long .Kevin Fernando Long is a retired American football running back who played in the National Football League and the United States Football League.-College:Kevin Long attended University of South Carolina and was a standout fullback for...
finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the score to 31-27. The Jets got the ball back with 2:36 remaining and then drove 69 yards to the Buffalo 11-yard line, aided by a holding penalty that wiped out an interception by defensive back Steve Freeman
Steve Freeman
Steven Jay Freeman is a former American football defensive back.After playing college football at Mississippi State University, he was selected by the National Football League's New England Patriots in the 1975 NFL Draft. However, he was released by the Patriots before the start of the regular...
. However, Simpson's interception at the 1-yard line halted New York's comeback with 2 seconds left.
Simpson recorded 2 interceptions, while Lewis caught 7 passes for a franchise postseason record 158 yards and 2 touchdowns. Shuler caught 6 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. Todd threw for 377 yards, while Ferguson threw for 268. Both quarterbacks threw 2 touchdowns and were intercepted four times.
NFC: New York Giants 27, Philadelphia Eagles 21
The Giants jumped to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter, but had to withstand an Eagles comeback at the end to hold on to a 27-21 win. In the first quarter, Eagles kick/punt returner Wally HenryWally Henry
Wallace Henry is a former professional American football wide receiver.-NFL career:Henry played in the National Football League for six seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles...
fumbled a punt and Beasley Reece
Beasley Reece
Beasley Young Reece, Jr. was an American football defensive back with a nine year NFL career from 1976 to 1984...
recovered the ball at the Philadelphia 26-yard line. A few plays later, quarterback Scott Brunner
Scott Brunner (football player)
Scott Lee Brunner is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League who played for the New York Giants from 1980 to 1983, the Denver Broncos in 1984, and the St. Louis Cardinals in 1985.-Early life:Brunner was born in Sellersville, Pennsylvania, and grew up in...
then threw a 9-yard touchdown to running back Leon Bright
Leon Bright
Leon "Pop" Bright, Jr. is a former Gridiron football player in the Canadian Football League for four years and in the National Football League for five years....
(the extra point attempt failed). Later in the first period, Brunner threw a 10-yard touchdown to wide receiver John Mistler
John Mistler
John Andrew Mistler is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Buffalo Bills. He was drafted in the third round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Giants out of Arizona State University.Mistler worked as a color analyst on Arizona...
, Henry then fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Mark Haynes
Mark Haynes
Mark Haynes is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League who played in three Pro Bowls as a member of the New York Giants, and in three Super Bowls for the Denver Broncos....
recovered the ball in the end zone to give New York a 20-0 lead. In the second quarter, Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski
Ron Jaworski
Ronald Vincent "Ron" Jaworski is a former American football quarterback and currently an NFL analyst on ESPN. He is also CEO of Ron Jaworski Golf Management, Inc., based out of Blackwood, New Jersey, and manages golf courses in southern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and West Virginia...
completed a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Harold Carmichael
Harold Carmichael
Lee Harold Carmichael is a retired American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played 13 seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles , and one season for the Dallas Cowboys . He played college football at Southern University...
, but it was countered by Brunner's 22-yard touchdown to wide receiver Tom Mullady to give the Giants a 27-7 halftime lead. However, New York was shut out in the second half, while the Eagles opened the third period by marching 82 yards to score on running back Wilbert Montgomery
Wilbert Montgomery
Wilbert Montgomery is a former American football player in the National Football League for nine years with the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions...
's 6-yard rushing touchdown. Montgomery added another touchdown with 2:51 left in the game, but the Giants were able to run out the rest of the clock to preserve the victory. It marked the Giants first post season victory since 1956
1956 NFL season
The 1956 NFL season was the 37th regular season of the National Football League. CBS became the first network to televise some regular season games across the nation...
.
NFC: Dallas Cowboys 38, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0
The Cowboys crushed the Buccaneers, limiting them to 24 rushing yards and forcing 4 interceptions and 4 sacks. After the first quarter remained scoreless, Dallas wide receiver Tony HillTony Hill (American football)
Leroy Anthony Hill, Jr. is a former professional American football wide receiver who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1977 to 1986...
made a 9-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Danny White
Danny White
Wilford Daniel "Danny" White is a former quarterback and punter for the Dallas Cowboys, an American football coach in the Arena Football League and also occasionally appears as an analyst on broadcasts of college football games. He was named the head coach of the Arena Football League expansion...
, and Rafael Septien
Rafael Septien
Jose Rafael Septien was a Mexican placekicker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1978 through 1986. He was the leading scorer for the Cowboys those nine years...
later added a 32-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 10-0 halftime lead. Dallas then took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 80-yards to score on running back Ron Springs
Ron Springs
Ronald Edward "Ron" Springs was a professional American football running back, who played eight seasons in the NFL, for the Dallas Cowboys from 1979–1984, followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1985-1986. He is the father of NFL cornerback Shawn Springs...
' 1-yard rushing touchdown. Two interceptions later in the third quarter led to two more touchdowns by the Cowboys.
AFC: San Diego Chargers 41, Miami Dolphins 38 (OT)
Chargers placekicker Rolf BenirschkeRolf Benirschke
Rolf Joachim Benirschke is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers from 1978 to 1987, and was the host of the NBC daytime Wheel Of Fortune in 1989.-Early career:...
kicked the winning 29-yard field goal after 13:52 of overtime, ending a game that became known in NFL lore
National Football League lore
National Football League lore is a collection of information that NFL fans retain and share.Since the NFL was founded in 1920, it has grown from an informal network of teams based mostly in small towns and cities into the most popular and successful sports league in the United States...
as the Epic in Miami. This game set playoff records for the most points scored in a playoff game (79), the most total yards by both teams (1,036), and most passing yards by both teams (809). The Chargers jumped to a 24-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, but after Don Strock
Don Strock
Don Strock is a former professional football player who was the head coach of the Florida International University football team from 2002–2006.-College:Strock played college football at Virginia Tech, and graduated in 1973...
replaced starting quarterback David Woodley, the Dolphins scored 17 unanswered points in the second period. On the final play of the first half, Strock threw a pass to Duriel Harris
Duriel Harris
Duriel LaDon Harris, Jr. is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and the Dallas Cowboys...
, who then lateraled the ball
Lateral pass
In American football, a lateral pass or lateral, officially backward pass , occurs when the ball carrier throws the football to any teammate behind him or directly next to him...
to Tony Nathan
Tony Nathan
Tony Curtis Nathan is an American football coach and former running back.Nathan was a running back from Alabama who was selected in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, with whom he played from 1979-1987...
, who then ran 25 yards to the end zone.
In the third quarter, Miami tied the game, 24-24, with Strock's 15-yard touchdown completion to tight end Joe Rose. Each team then scored two touchdowns, with San Diego quarterback Dan Fouts
Dan Fouts
Daniel Francis Fouts is a retired Hall of Fame American football quarterback in the National Football League. Fouts played his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987...
's 9-yard tying score to James Brooks
James Brooks (American football player)
James Brooks is a retired NFL football running back.-High school and college career:His young career started with success in elementary school. He led the Warner Robins High School Demons to a State championship and a National Championship ranking in 1976...
with about a minute left in regulation. Dolphins kicker Uwe von Schamann
Uwe von Schamann
Uwe Detlef Walter von Schamann is a former professional American football placekicker. He played for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League, from 1979 to 1984.-Early life:...
had a chance to win the game on the last play of regulation, but his field goal attempt was blocked by Chargers tight end Kellen Winslow
Kellen Winslow
Kellen Boswell Winslow is a former American football tight end with the Missouri Tigers and the San Diego Chargers. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the game. He is currently the athletic director at Central State University.Winslow did not play high...
.
In overtime, the Chargers took the opening kickoff and advanced to the Miami 8-yard line, but Benirschke missed a 27-yard field goal attempt. Then after both teams exchanged punts twice, the Dolphins reached the San Diego 17-yard line, only to see von Schamann's 34-yard attempt get blocked by defensive lineman Leroy Jones. The Chargers then drive to the Miami 10-yard line, where Benirschke eventually kicks the winning field goal.
Strock turned in the best game of his life, completing 29 of 43 passes for 403 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Fouts put on one of the best performances of his hall of fame career, completing 33 of 53 passes for 433 yards and 3 touchdowns. The image of an exhausted Winslow, who finished the game with 13 receptions for 166 yards and a touchdown, being helped off the field by two of his Chargers teammates has been constantly replayed ever since.
AFC: Cincinnati Bengals 28, Buffalo Bills 21
The Bengals won their first playoff game in team history after Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson's fourth-down pass fell incomplete, thus enabling Cincinnati to take over and run out the clock.Two key plays allowed the Bengals to start their first two drives in Buffalo territory, and they took advantage of their field position with touchdowns on each one. First, defensive back Mike Fuller returned a punt 27 yards to the Bills 42-yard line. Six plays later, Charles Alexander
Charles Alexander (American football)
Charles Alexander is a former professional American football player who played running back for seven seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals.-Louisiana State University:...
scored a 1-yard touchown run. On Buffalo's ensuing drive, defensive back Ken Riley
Ken Riley
Kenneth Jerome Riley is a former professional American Football defensive back who played his entire career for the Cincinnati Bengals, in the American Football League in 1969 and in the NFL from 1970 through 1983...
intercepted a pass from Ferguson and returned it to the Bills 48-yard line. Cincinnati then drove 48 yards in 8 plays and scored with fullback Pete Johnson
Pete Johnson (American football)
Pete Johnson is a former college and professional American football running back. He spent 8 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals. Before his NFL career, Johnson played for the Ohio State Buckeyes.-College career:Johnson played fullback for Ohio State from 1973 through 1976...
's 1-yard run to take an early 14-0 lead. Late in the second quarter, Ferguson's 54-yard completion to Jerry Butler
Jerry Butler (American football)
Jerry O'Dell Butler is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played his entire career with the Buffalo Bills . Butler was a Pro Bowl selection in 1980. In his career, he caught 278 receptions for 4,301 yards and 29 touchdowns...
set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Joe Cribbs
Joe Cribbs
Joe Stanier Cribbs is a retired National Football League and United States Football League football running back. He played collegiately at Auburn University along with future NFL backs William Andrews and James Brooks...
, cutting the score to 14-7 by halftime.
In the third quarter, a 44-yard touchdown run by Cribbs tied the game, but he was injured on the play and was forced to sit the rest of the game out. Cincinnati scored again with Alexander's 20-yard touchdown run, but was countered by Ferguson's 20-yard touchdown pass to Butler. With 10:39 remaining in the game, Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Cris Collinsworth
Cris Collinsworth
Anthony Cris Collinsworth is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for eight seasons in the 1980s. He played college football for the University of Florida, and thereafter, he played his entire professional career for...
, giving Cincinnati the lead, 28-21. The Bills drove to the Cincinnati 21-yard line with about three minutes left to play, and it appeared that Ferguson completed a fourth-down pass to Lou Piccone
Lou Piccone
Louis James Piccone was an American football wide receiver and kick returner who played nine seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. He played college football at West Liberty State College.Piccone caught 100 passes, 1,380 yards and 6 touchdowns in 9 years...
to gain a first down. However, Buffalo was called for a delay of game penalty, and Ferguson's pass attempt on the next snap fell incomplete. The Bengals were then able to take over and run out the clock.
Anderson finished the game with 14 of 21 completions for 192 yards and a touchdown. Johnson, the team's leading rusher with 1,077 yards during the season, was held to just 45 yards, but it did not matter as the Bengals still racked up 136 yards on the ground, 72 of them and two touchdowns from Alexander. Ferguson threw for 202 yards and a touchdown, but completed only 15 of 31 passes and was intercepted twice. Cribbs finished with a career postseason high 90 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Butler caught 4 passes for 98 yards and a score.
NFC: San Francisco 49ers 38, New York Giants 24
25-year old San Francisco quarterback Joe MontanaJoe Montana
Joseph Clifford "Joe" Montana, Jr. , nicknamed Joe Cool, Golden Joe, The Golden Great and Comeback Joe, is a retired American football player. Montana started his NFL career in 1979 with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played quarterback for the next 14 seasons...
lead the 49ers to victory in his first ever playoff game, completing 20 of 31 passes for 304 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 1 interception. His top target in the game was receiver Dwight Clark
Dwight Clark
Dwight Edward Clark is a former American Pro Bowl wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers from 1979 to 1987...
, who caught 5 passes for 104 yards.
The 49ers jumped to a 24-7 lead in the second quarter, and scored 2 touchdowns in the final period to secure the victory. San Francisco took the opening kickoff and advanced 85 yards to score on Montana's 8-yard touchdown to tight end Charle Young
Charle Young
Charle Edward Young is a former American football tight end who played for 13 seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973–1976, the Los Angeles Rams from 1977–1979, the San Francisco 49ers from 1980–1982, and the Seattle Seahawks from...
. The Giants countered with quarterback Scott Brunner's 72-yard touchdown completion to wide receiver Earnest Gray
Earnest Gray
Earnest L. Gray is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League who played for the New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football at the University of Memphis and was drafted by the Giants in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft...
. Then after the 49ers went ahead, 10-7, in the second quarter, San Francisco defensive back Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott
Ronald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his crushing hits on opposing players...
intercepted a pass from Brunner to set up wide receiver Freddie Solomon's
Freddie Solomon
.Freddie Solomon , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1975 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 184-lb. wide receiver from the University of Tampa, Solomon played in 11 NFL seasons for the Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers from 1975 to 1985...
58-yard touchdown reception. Linebacker Keena Turner
Keena Turner
Keena Turner , is a former American professional football player who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1980 NFL Draft and traded on draft day to the San Francisco 49ers. A 6'2" 237 pound linebacker from Purdue University, Turner played in 11 NFL seasons and spent his entire...
recovered a fumble on the first play after the ensuing kickoff, and Ricky Patton
Ricky Patton
Ricky Patton , is a former professional American football player who played running back for five seasons for the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers. He started in Super Bowl XVI for the 49ers....
scored on a 25-yard touchdown run a few plays later to give the 49ers a 24-7 lead. Later, a 48-yard field goal by New York kicker Joe Danelo
Joe Danelo
Joseph Peter Danelo is a former American football placekicker who played in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers, the New York Giants, and the Buffalo Bills between 1975 and 1984...
made the score 24-10 at halftime. In the third quarter, Brunner completed a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Johnny Perkins to cut the score, 24-17. But in the fourth quarter, running back Bill Ring
Bill Ring
William Thomas Ring is a former NFL running back who played six seasons in the National Football League from . He was a reserve and special teams player for the San Francisco 49ers during the early success of the Bill Walsh era...
scored on a 3-yard rushing touchdown, and Lott returned his second interception of the game 20-yards to the end zone. Brunner then made a 17-yard touchdown to Perkins to close out the scoring.
AFC Championship: Cincinnati Bengals 27, San Diego Chargers 7
Known as the Freezer BowlFreezer Bowl
In NFL lore, the Freezer Bowl was the 1981 AFC Championship Game between the San Diego Chargers and the Cincinnati Bengals. The game was played in the coldest temperature in NFL history in terms of wind chill...
, the Bengals defeated the Chargers, 27–7. Despite a game-time temperature of -9 °F and a 35-mile-per-hour wind that sent wind chill
Wind chill
Wind chill is the felt air temperature on exposed skin due to wind. The wind chill temperature is always lower than the air temperature, and the windchill is undefined at the higher temps...
s as low as –59 °F, Bengals' quarterback Ken Anderson threw for 161 yards and 2 touchdown passes, with no interceptions, and rushed for 39 yards to lead his team to a victory. Cincinnati's defense intercepted San Diego quarterback Dan Fouts
Dan Fouts
Daniel Francis Fouts is a retired Hall of Fame American football quarterback in the National Football League. Fouts played his entire professional career with the San Diego Chargers from 1973 through 1987...
twice and recovered 2 fumbles, while their offense didn't commit a single turnover until late in the final period when the game was already out of reach.
Cincinnati scored first with a 31-yard field goal from kicker Jim Breech
Jim Breech
James Thomas Breech is a former American football kicker in the National Football League, who played for Oakland Raiders in 1979 and Cincinnati Bengals from 1980-1992. Before his NFL career, Breech played for the University of California and Sacramento High School...
. Then Chargers' rookie kick returner James Brooks
James Brooks (American football player)
James Brooks is a retired NFL football running back.-High school and college career:His young career started with success in elementary school. He led the Warner Robins High School Demons to a State championship and a National Championship ranking in 1976...
lost a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and the Bengals scored a touchdown on an 8-yard pass from Anderson to tight end M. L. Harris
M. L. Harris
Michael Lee Harris is a former professional American football player who played tight end for six seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals. He also played four seasons in the Canadian Football League....
, increasing their lead to 10-0. In the second quarter, the Chargers cut their deficit to 10-7 with Fouts' 33-yard touchdown pass to Kellen Winslow
Kellen Winslow
Kellen Boswell Winslow is a former American football tight end with the Missouri Tigers and the San Diego Chargers. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest tight ends in the history of the game. He is currently the athletic director at Central State University.Winslow did not play high...
. But on the Chargers' next drive, Fouts was intercepted by Bengals defensive back Louis Breeden
Louis Breeden
Louis Breeden is a former professional American Football player who played defensive back for the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League.-Career:...
. Breeden's interception set up another Bengals touchdown on Pete Johnson
Pete Johnson (American football)
Pete Johnson is a former college and professional American football running back. He spent 8 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals. Before his NFL career, Johnson played for the Ohio State Buckeyes.-College career:Johnson played fullback for Ohio State from 1973 through 1976...
's 1-yard run, giving them a 17–7 lead. The Bengals completely took over the game from that point on. Breech kicked another field goal in the third quarter to increase the lead to 20–7. Then in final period, Anderson put the game away with an 3-yard touchdown completion to receiver Don Bass
Don Bass
Donald Wayne Bass was a professional American football tight end in the National Football League. He played five seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New Orleans Saints . He played college football at the University of Houston...
.
NFC Championship: San Francisco 49ers 28, Dallas Cowboys 27
In a play that would become immortalized as The CatchThe Catch (American football)
The Catch refers to the winning touchdown reception by Dwight Clark off a Joe Montana pass in the January 10, 1982, NFC Championship Game between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers...
, 49ers wide receiver Dwight Clark
Dwight Clark
Dwight Edward Clark is a former American Pro Bowl wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers from 1979 to 1987...
made a leaping grab at the back of the end zone to score the winning touchdown with 51 seconds left in the game. San Francisco opened the scoring with quarterback Joe Montana's 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Freddie Solomon
Freddie Solomon
.Freddie Solomon , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1975 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 184-lb. wide receiver from the University of Tampa, Solomon played in 11 NFL seasons for the Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers from 1975 to 1985...
. However, Dallas countered with a 44-yard field goal by Rafael Septien
Rafael Septien
Jose Rafael Septien was a Mexican placekicker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1978 through 1986. He was the leading scorer for the Cowboys those nine years...
, and then Tony Hill
Tony Hill (American football)
Leroy Anthony Hill, Jr. is a former professional American football wide receiver who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1977 to 1986...
's 26-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Danny White. Montana then threw a 20-yard touchdown to Clark, to retake the lead, 14–10. Then a controversial pass interference penalty on 49ers defensive back Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott
Ronald Mandel "Ronnie" Lott is a former American football player who starred as a cornerback, free safety, and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his crushing hits on opposing players...
nullified his interception and gave the Cowboys a first down at the San Francisco 12-yard line. Three plays later, running back Tony Dorsett
Tony Dorsett
Anthony "Tony" Drew Dorsett is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.-Early years:...
scored on a 5-yard rushing touchdown to give Dallas a 17–14 lead by halftime.
In the third quarter, the 49ers regained the lead again with a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Johnny Davis. However, Septien made a 22-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Then, Cowboys cornerback Everson Walls
Everson Walls
Everson Collins Walls is a former American football cornerback in the NFL, having played for the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Giants, and the Cleveland Browns. During his 14 seasons, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. He was also a 3-time All-Pro selection...
recovered a fumble to set up White's 21-yard touchdown to tight end Doug Cosbie
Doug Cosbie
Douglas Durant Cosbie is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft. A 6'6", 236-lb. tight end from Santa Clara University, Cosbie played his entire NFL career for the Cowboys from...
to give Dallas a 27–21 advantage. With 4:54 left in the game, San Francisco found themselves with the ball at their own 11-yard line. They marched 83 yards to the Dallas 6-yard line, where Montana threw a high pass that Clark just managed to grab for the game winning touchdown. Other contributors on the final 89-yard drive that led to the play now referred to as “The Catch” included Freddie Solomon
Freddie Solomon
.Freddie Solomon , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 2nd round of the 1975 NFL Draft. A 5'11", 184-lb. wide receiver from the University of Tampa, Solomon played in 11 NFL seasons for the Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers from 1975 to 1985...
(WR), Lenvil Elliott
Lenvil Elliott
Lenvil Elliott was a former professional American football player who played running back for nine seasons in the National Football League. He was a part of the San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XVI winning team.-Early life:...
(RB), Earl Cooper (FB), Mike Wilson
Mike Wilson (wide receiver)
Michael Ruben Wilson is a former professional American football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers from 1981 to 1990. He played football collegiately at Washington State University and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 9th round of the 1981 NFL Draft...
, Charle Young
Charle Young
Charle Edward Young is a former American football tight end who played for 13 seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973–1976, the Los Angeles Rams from 1977–1979, the San Francisco 49ers from 1980–1982, and the Seattle Seahawks from...
(TE), Dan Audick
Dan Audick
Daniel James Audick, Ed.D., is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League from 1977 through 1984. Dan was born into a large military family as the son of Col. Albert E. Audick, Sr. and Stella Audick...
(LT), John Ayers
John Ayers
John Ayers was a National Football League offensive lineman from 1977 through 1987. During that span, he appeared in two Super Bowls: Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XIX for the San Francisco 49ers...
(LG), Fred Quillan
Fred Quillan
Frederick David Quillan is a former professional American football offensive lineman from 1978 through 1987. During that span he appeared in two Super Bowls: Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XIX for the San Francisco 49ers. He played college football at the University of Oregon...
(C), Randy Cross
Randy Cross
Randall "Randy" Laureat Cross , is a football analyst and former NFL offensive lineman. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in July 2011.-High school years:...
(RG), and Keith Fahnhorst
Keith Fahnhorst
Keith Fahnhorst is a former National Football League offensive lineman from 1974 through 1987. During that span he appeared in two Super Bowls: Super Bowl XVI and Super Bowl XIX for the San Francisco 49ers...
(RT).
However, the Cowboys still had enough time left in the game for one last drive. White threw a completion to Drew Pearson
Drew Pearson (American football)
Drew Pearson is a sportscaster and former American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League.-Early years:...
that almost went for a touchdown, but 49ers defensive back Eric Wright made a key tackle by getting one hand inside Pearson's jersey and dragging him down. Two plays later, Lawrence Pillers
Lawrence Pillers
Lawrence Pillers is a former American football defensive end who played for the New York Jets, the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons in a ten year career that lasted from 1976 to 1985 in the National Football League.Pillers played college football at Alcorn State University and was...
sacked While, forcing a fumble that was recovered by 49ers lineman Jim Stuckey
Jim Stuckey
James Stuckey is a former American Football defensive tackle who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Jets in a seven year career that lasted from 1980 to 1986 in the National Football League....
, and the 49ers had their victory. Clark finished the game with 8 receptions for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns.