1981 Seattle Seahawks season

{{Infobox NFL team season

| team = Seattle Seahawks

| year = 1981

| record = 6–10

| division_place = 5th AFC West

| coach = Jack Patera

| general manager = John Thompson

| owner = The Nordstrom family

| stadium = Kingdome

| playoffs = Did not qualify

| pro bowlers = WR Steve Largent

| AP All-pros = None

| uniform =

| shortnavlink = Seahawks seasons

}}

The 1981 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's sixth season with the National Football League (NFL). The Seahawks got off to a terrible start, losing six of their first seven games, on the way to a 6–10 season. Steve Largent would have a stellar season with 1,224 receiving yards. Jim Zorn was having a bounce back season, completing a career high 59% of his passes, 13 TDs 9 INT’s 6.2 yards per attempt before his injury against the Raiders at home. Seattle opened their season at Cincinnati, and held a 21–0 lead before the Bengals rallied for an improbable 27–21 win. This loss was a portent into the season. The Seahawks also blew a 24–3 3rd quarter lead at home to the Raiders before losing 32–31. Seven of their 10 losses were by two possessions or more.

The Achilles heel for the team was the running game on offense and defense. On offense they ranked 27th in yards and 26th in yards per attempt. On defense the ranking was 27th in yards 28th in yards per attempt. Only once did the defense hold a team under 100 yards rushing which was against the Chargers in San Diego, losing 24–10.

The disappointing season had some memorable highlights. At the time the biggest come behind victory, at home against the Steelers, down 21–3 winning 24–21. On Monday night, the team’s first victory over the San Diego Chargers, losing their first seven meetings, winning 44–23.

Offseason

=Draft=

{{NFL team draft start

| year = 1981

| teamname = Seattle Seahawks

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 1

| pick = 4

| player = Kenny Easley

| position = Safety

| college = UCLA

| notes =

| probowl = yes

| hof = yes

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 2

| pick = 31

| player = David Hughes

| position = Running back

| college = Boise State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 3

| pick = 58

| player = Bill Dugan

| position = Guard

| college = Penn State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 4

| pick = 87

| player = Scott Phillips

| position = Wide receiver

| college = BYU

| notes =

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 5

| pick = 114

| player = Edwin Bailey

| position = Guard

| college = South Carolina State

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 6

| pick = 140

| player = Steve Durham

| position = Defensive end

| college = Clemson

| notes =

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 7

| pick = 170

| player = Ron Johnson

| position = Wide receiver

| college = Long Beach State

| notes =

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 7

| pick = 186

| player = Brad Scovill

| position = Tight end

| college = Penn State

| notes =

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 8

| pick = 196

| player = Eric Lane

| position = Running back

| college = BYU

| notes =

| maderoster = yes

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 9

| pick = 223

| player = Jim Stone

| position = Running back

| college = Notre Dame

| notes =

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 9

| pick = 236

| player = Jimbo Whatley

| position = Wide receiver

| college = Washington State

| notes =

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 10

| pick = 252

| player = Ken Dawson

| position = Running back

| college = Savannah State

| notes =

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 11

| pick = 279

| player = Lance Olander

| position = Running back

| college = Colorado

| notes =

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft entry

| round = 12

| pick = 306

| player = Jeff Bednarek

| position = Defensive tackle

| college = Pacific

| notes =

| maderoster = no

}}

{{NFL team draft end

| probowl = yes

| hof = yes

}}

= Undrafted free agents =

class="wikitable"

|+ 1981 undrafted free agents of note

!Player

!Position

!College

Mike Babb

|Punter

|Oregon

Kim Baker

|Linebacker

|Nebraska

David Bayle

|Tight End

|Washington

Dan Boomhower

|Running back

|Kearney State

Dave Boschma

|Safety

|Linfield

Chris Buono

|Safety

|Furman

Brad Chace

|Safety

|Colorado

Bob Chauza

|Tackle

|Northwest Missouri State

Bob Danenhauer

|Linebacker

|Nebraska–Omaha

Bill Fenn

|Fullback

|Illinois State

Steve Griffiths

|Linebacker

|Penn State

Personnel

=Staff=

{{NFL final staff

| year = 1981

| team = Seattle Seahawks

| front_office =

Managing general partner – Herman Sarkowsky
general manager – John Thompson
Assistant general manager – Mark Duncan
Director of player personnel – Dick Mansperger
Director of pro scouting – Chuck Allen

| head_coach =

Head coach – Jack Patera

| offensive =

Offensive/quarterbacks/receivers – Jerry Rhome
Offensive backs – Andy MacDonald
Offensive line – Howard Mudd

| defensive =

Defensive/linebackers – Jackie Simpson
Defensive line – Jim E. Mora
Defensive backs – Jack Christiansen

| special_teams =

Special teams – Rusty Tillman

|Strength and Conditioning=

Head trainer – Bruce Scott
Assistant trainer – Jim Whitesel

}}

=Final roster=

{{NFL final roster

|Year=1981

|TeamName=Seattle Seahawks

|BC1=#00338D

|FC1=white

|BDC1=#008542

|offseason=no

|ufa=no

|rfa=no

|erfa=no

|Active=55

|Inactive=0

|PS=0

|Quarterbacks=

|Running Backs=

|Wide Receivers=

|Tight Ends=

|Offensive Linemen=

|Defensive Linemen=

|Linebackers=

|Defensive Backs=

|Special Teams=

|Reserve Lists=

|Practice Squad=

}}{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ |title=Home |website=pro-football-reference.com}}

Starters in bold.
(*) Denotes players that were selected for the 1982 Pro Bowl.

Schedule

=Preseason=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Week

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Date

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Opponent

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Result

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Record

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Game site

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Recap

style="background:#fcc"

! 1

| {{dow tooltip|August 5, 1981}}

| San Francisco 49ers

| L 24–27 {{small|(OT)}}

| 0–1

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221060856/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_08_05_SF.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 2

| {{dow tooltip|August 14, 1981}}

| St. Louis Cardinals

| L 21–30

| 0–2

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221072414/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_08_14_STL.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 3

| {{dow tooltip|August 22, 1981}}

| at San Francisco 49ers

| L 17–24

| 0–3

| Candlestick Park

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221060529/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_08_22_atSF.PDF Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 4

| {{dow tooltip|August 28, 1981}}

| Baltimore Colts

| W 31–17

| 1–3

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061258/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_08_28_BALco.PDF Recap]

:Source: Seahawks Media Guides[https://web.archive.org/web/20140407021254/http://seahawksmedia.com/MediaGuideArchives/1981MG2.pdf 1981 Seahawks Media Guide], accessed February 14, 2015.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140407021346/http://seahawksmedia.com/MediaGuideArchives/1982MG2.pdf 1982 Seahawks Media Guide], accessed February 14, 2015.

=Regular season=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Week

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Date

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Opponent

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Result

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Record

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Game site

! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}}"| Recap

style="background:#fcc"

! 1

| September 6

| at Cincinnati Bengals

| L 21–27

| 0–1

| Riverfront Stadium

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061704/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_09_06_atCIN.PDF Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 2

| September 13

| Denver Broncos

| W 13–10

| 1–1

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061512/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_09_13_DEN.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 3

| September 20

| at Oakland Raiders

| L 10–20

| 1–2

| Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061952/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_09_20_atOAK.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 4

| September 27

| Kansas City Chiefs

| L 14–20

| 1–3

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061645/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_09_27_KC.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 5

| October 4

| at San Diego Chargers

| L 10–24

| 1–4

| Jack Murphy Stadium

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061929/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_10_04_atSD.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 6

| October 11

| at Houston Oilers

| L 17–35

| 1–5

| Houston Astrodome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061655/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_10_11_atHOU.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 7

| October 18

| New York Giants

| L 0–32

| 1–6

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061241/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_10_18_NYG.PDF Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 8

| October 25

| at New York Jets

| W 19–3

| 2–6

| Shea Stadium

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221060509/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_10_25_atNYJ.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 9

| November 1

| at Green Bay Packers

| L 24–34

| 2–7

| Lambeau Field

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221060429/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_11_01_atGB.PDF Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 10

| November 8

| Pittsburgh Steelers

| W 24–21

| 3–7

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221071855/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_11_08_PIT.PDF Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 11

| {{dow tooltip|November 16, 1981}}

| San Diego Chargers

| W 44–23

| 4–7

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061337/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_11_16_SD.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 12

| November 22

| at Kansas City Chiefs

| L 13–40

| 4–8

| Arrowhead Stadium

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221062405/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_11_22_atKC.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 13

| November 29

| Oakland Raiders

| L 31–32

| 4–9

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221071815/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_11_29_OAK.PDF Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 14

| December 6

| New York Jets

| W 27–23

| 5–9

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221062315/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_12_06_NYJ.PDF Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 15

| December 13

| at Denver Broncos

| L 13–23

| 5–10

| Mile High Stadium

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221072118/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_12_13_atDEN.PDF Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 16

| December 20

| Cleveland Browns

| W 42–21

| 6–10

| Kingdome

| [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221072247/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_12_20_CLE.PDF Recap]

:Bold indicates division opponents.

:Source: 1981 NFL season results[http://www.nfl.com/teams/schedule?team=SEA&season=1981&seasonType=REG 1981 NFL season results], NFL.com, accessed February 14, 2015.

Standings

Game summaries

=Preseason=

==Week P1: vs. San Francisco 49ers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle= background:white;color:#002366;border:2px solid #008542;text-align:center;

|state=

|title= Preseason Week One: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|August 5|Wednesday}}

|time=7:34 pm local

|road=49ers

|R1=7|R2=7|R3=3|R4=7|R5=3

|home=Seahawks

|H1=7|H2=3|H3=0|H4=14|H5=0

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=56,958

|weather=indoors

|referee=Fred Silva

|TV=KIRO

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_08_05_SF.PDF Gamebook]

}}

==Week P2: vs. St. Louis Cardinals==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle= background:white;color:#002366;border:2px solid #008542;text-align:center;

|state=

|title= Preseason Week Two: Seattle Seahawks vs. St. Louis Cardinals – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|August 14|Friday}}

|time=7:34 pm local

|road=Cardinals

|R1=6|R2=7|R3=7|R4=10

|home=Seahawks

|H1=0|H2=7|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=55,520

|weather=indoors

|referee=Jim Tunney

|TV=KIRO

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_08_14_STL.PDF Gamebook]

}}

==Week P3: at San Francisco 49ers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle= background:white;color:#002366;border:2px solid #008542;text-align:center;

|state=

|title= Preseason Week Three: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|August 22|Saturday}}

|time=6:05 pm local

|road=Seahawks

|R1=17|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0

|home=49ers

|H1=7|H2=0|H3=7|H4=10

|stadium=Candlestick Park, San Francisco

|attendance=37,563

|weather=cloudy, {{convert|60|°F|°C}}, wind NE {{convert|19|mph|km/h}}

|referee=Bob McElwee

|TV=KIRO

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_08_22_atSF.PDF Gamebook]

}}

==Week P4: vs. Baltimore Colts==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle= background:white;color:#002366;border:2px solid #008542;text-align:center;

|state=

|title= Preseason Week Four: Seattle Seahawks vs. Baltimore Colts – Game summary

|date={{tooltip|August 28|Friday}}

|time=7:34 pm local

|road=Colts

|R1=7|R2=7|R3=0|R4=3

|home=Seahawks

|H1=10|H2=0|H3=14|H4=7

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=55,794

|weather=indoors

|referee=Dick Jorgensen

|TV=KIRO

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_08_28_BALco.PDF Gamebook]

}}

=Regular season=

==Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week One: Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary

|date=September 6

|time=1:00 pm local

|road=Seahawks

|R1=21|R2=0|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Bengals

|H1=0|H2=10|H3=10|H4=7

|stadium=Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

|attendance=41,177

|weather=partly cloudy, {{convert|70|°F|°C}}, 71% humidity, wind NE {{convert|4|mph|km/h}}

|referee=Bob Frederic

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061704/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_09_06_atCIN.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

SEA – John Harris 29-yard interception return (Efrén Herrera kick), 8:53 (SEA 7–0)
SEA – Steve Largent 36-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:27 (SEA 14–0)
SEA – Jim Jodat 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 3:19 (SEA 21–0)

Second quarter

CIN – Jim Breech 25-yard field goal, 10:44 (SEA 21–3)
CIN – Pete Johnson 3-yard run (Jim Breech kick), 0:57 (SEA 21–10)

Third quarter

CIN – Jim Breech 40-yard field goal, 11:32 (SEA 21–13)
CIN – Archie Griffin 3-yard run (Jim Breech kick), 2:52 (SEA 21–20)

Fourth quarter

CIN – Pete Johnson 2-yard run (Jim Breech kick), 5:04 (CIN 27–21)

|stats=

Top passers

SEA – Jim Zorn: {{tooltip|21|completions}}/{{tooltip|41|attempts}}, 230 yds, 1 {{tooltip|TD|touchdowns}}, 1 {{tooltip|INT|interceptions}}
CIN – Turk Schonert: 9/18, 130 yds

Top rushers

SEA – Jim Jodat: 8 {{tooltip|car|carries}}, 21 yds, 1 TD
CIN – Pete Johnson: 20 car, 84 yds, 2 TD

Top receivers

SEA – Steve Largent: 8 {{tooltip|rec|receptions}}, 114 yds, 1 TD
CIN – Cris Collinsworth: 4 rec, 65 yds

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

SEA –230 – 60 – 290 – 4
CIN – 165 – 210 – 375 – 4

}}

==Week 2: vs. Denver Broncos==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Two: Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos – Game summary

|date=September 13

|time=1:03 pm local

|road=Broncos

|R1=3|R2=7|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Seahawks

|H1=7|H2=3|H3=3|H4=0

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=58,513

|weather=indoors

|referee=Fred Silva

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Bob Costas and Jim Turner

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061512/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_09_13_DEN.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

DEN – Fred Steinfort 30-yard field goal, 8:34 (DEN 3–0)
SEA – Dennis Boyd 3-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 2:48 (SEA 7–3)

Second quarter

SEA – Efrén Herrera 43-yard field goal, 2:39 (SEA 10–3)
DEN – Riley Odoms 11-yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick), 1:06 (Tied 10–10)

Third quarter

SEA – Efrén Herrera 22-yard field goal, 5:53 (SEA 13–10)

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays

|stats=

Top passers

DEN – Craig Morton: 144/25, 161 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
SEA – Jim Zorn: 24/34, 199 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

DEN – Rick Parros: 13 car, 69 yds
SEA – Sherman Smith: 11 car, 58 yds

Top receivers

DEN – Steve Watson: 2 rec, 36 yds
SEA – David Hughes: 6 rec, 59 yds

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

DEN – 142 – 110 – 252 – 2
SEA – 156 – 111 – 267 – 2

}}

==Week 3: at Oakland Raiders==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Three: Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

|date=September 20

|time=1:01 pm local

|road=Seahawks

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=7|R4=0

|home=Raiders

|H1=7|H2=6|H3=0|H4=7

|stadium=Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

|attendance=45,725

|weather=clear, {{convert|68|°F|°C}}, 58% humidity, wind SW {{convert|9|mph|km/h}}

|referee=Pat Haggerty

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers=Phil Stone and Gene Washington

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061952/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_09_20_atOAK.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

OAK – Jim Plunkett 13-yard run (Chris Bahr kick), 6:14 (OAK 7–0)

Second quarter

SEA – Efrén Herrera 26-yard field goal, 4:45 (OAK 7–3)
OAK – Morris Bradshaw 29-yard pass from Jim Plunkett (PAT failed), 0:13 (OAK 13–3)

Third quarter

SEA – Sam McCullum 36-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 8:06 (OAK 13–10)

Fourth quarter

OAK – Derrick Jensen 1-yard run (Chris Bahr kick), 11:24 (OAK 20–10)

|stats=

Top passers

SEA – Jim Zorn: 24/43, 327 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
OAK – Jim Plunkett: 20/30, 262 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

SEA – Sherman Smith: 4 car, 25 yds
OAK – Derrick Jensen: 19 car, 84 yds, 1 TD

Top receivers

SEA – Sam McCullum: 6 rec, 122 yds, 1 TD
OAK – Morris Bradshaw: 3 rec, 74 yds, 1 TD

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

SEA – 308 – 82 – 390 – 2
OAK – 242 – 190 – 432 – 3

}}

==Week 4: vs. Kansas City Chiefs==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Four: Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

|date=September 27

|time=1:03 pm local

|road=Chiefs

|R1=7|R2=13|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Seahawks

|H1=0|H2=7|H3=7|H4=0

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=59,255

|weather=indoors

|referee=Tom Dooley

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Phil Stone and Gene Washington

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061645/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_09_27_KC.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

KC – Ted McKnight 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:56 (KC 7–0)

Second quarter

KC – Bill Kenney 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 13:41 (KC 14–0)
KC – Nick Lowery 30-yard field goal, 6:40 (KC 17–0)
KC – Nick Lowery 38-yard field goal, 5:28 (KC 20–0)
SEA – Sam McCullum 11-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 1:58 (KC 20–7)

Third quarter

SEA – Sherman Smith 2-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 11:01 (KC 20–14)

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays

|stats=

Top passers

KC – Bill Kenney: 16/25, 239 yds
SEA – Jim Zorn: 31/47, 308 yds, 1 TD

Top rushers

KC – Joe Delaney: 15 car, 45 yds
SEA – Jim Zorn: 4 car, 48 yds

Top receivers

KC – J.T. Smith: 5 rec, 81 yds
SEA – David Hughes: 12 rec, 103 yds

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

KC – 227 – 154 – 381 – 2
SEA – 277 – 82 – 359 – 1

}}

==Week 5: at San Diego Chargers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Five: Seattle Seahawks at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=October 4

|time=1:01 pm local

|road=Seahawks

|R1=0|R2=7|R3=0|R4=3

|home=Chargers

|H1=0|H2=10|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego

|attendance=51,463

|weather=partly cloudy, {{convert|72|°F|°C}}, 68% humidity, wind W {{convert|10|mph|km/h}}

|referee=Red Cashion

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Merle Harmon and George Kunz

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061929/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_10_04_atSD.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

No scoring plays

Second quarter

SEA – Steve Largent 34-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 14:54 (SEA 7–0)
SD – Rolf Benirschke 47-yard field goal, 11:54 (SEA 7–3)
SD – Charlie Joiner 12-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 2:38 (SD 10–7)

Third quarter

SD – Charlie Joiner 12-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 4:50 (SD 17–7)

Fourth quarter

SEA – Efrén Herrera 11-yard field goal, 10:30 (SD 17–10)
SD – Charlie Joiner 11-yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick), 3:56 (SD 24–10)

|stats=

Top passers

SEA – Jim Zorn: 16/34, 229 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
SD – Dan Fouts: 30/41, 302 yds, 3 TD

Top rushers

SEA – Jim Zorn: 6 car, 29 yds
SD – John Cappelletti: 14 car, 85 yds

Top receivers

SEA – Steve Largent: 5 rec, 118 yds, 1 TD
SD – Clarence Williams: 10 rec, 89 yds

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

SEA – 200 – 92 – 292 – 1
SD – 272 – 99 – 371 – 2

}}

==Week 6: at Houston Oilers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Six: Seattle Seahawks at Houston Oilers – Game summary

|date=October 11

|time=1:00 pm local

|road=Seahawks

|R1=10|R2=0|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Oilers

|H1=7|H2=7|H3=0|H4=21

|stadium=Astrodome, Houston, Texas

|attendance=42,671

|weather=indoors

|referee=Jerry Seeman

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Jay Randolph and Mike Haffner

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061655/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_10_11_atHOU.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

SEA – Efrén Herrera 41-yard field goal, 8:36 (SEA 3–0)
SEA – David Hughes 17-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 3:58 (SEA 10–0)
HOU – Ken Burrough 31-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Toni Fritsch kick), 1:33 (SEA 10–7)

Second quarter

HOU – Earl Campbell 1-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), 1:16 (HOU 14–10)

Third quarter

No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

HOU – Dave Casper 32-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Toni Fritsch kick), 14:54 (HOU 21–10)
HOU – Ken Burrough 24-yard pass from Ken Stabler (Toni Fritsch kick), 11:55 (HOU 28–10)
HOU – Earl Campbell 4-yard run (Toni Fritsch kick), 6:59 (HOU 35–10)
SEA – Steve Largent 31-yard pass from Sam Adkins (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:18 (HOU 35–17)

|stats=

Top passers

SEA – Jim Zorn: 19/30, 145 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
HOU – Ken Stabler: 12/18, 156 yds, 3 TD

Top rushers

SEA – Sam Adkins: 3 car, 28 yds
HOU – Earl Campbell: 39 car, 186 yds, 2 TD

Top receivers

SEA – Steve Largent: 4 rec, 65 yds, 1 TD
HOU – Ken Burrough: 4 rec, 74 yds, 2 TD

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

SEA – 214 – 75 – 289 – 3
HOU – 156 – 216 – 372 – 1

}}

==Week 7: vs. New York Giants==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Seven: Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Giants – Game summary

|date=October 18

|time=1:03 pm local

|road=Giants

|R1=3|R2=10|R3=13|R4=6

|home=Seahawks

|H1=0|H2=0|H3=0|H4=0

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=56,134

|weather=indoors

|referee=Gordon McCarter

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers= Tom Brookshier and Roger Staubach

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061241/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_10_18_NYG.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

NYG – Joe Danelo 29-yard field goal, 9:23 (NYG 3–0)

Second quarter

NYG – Gary Shirk 6-yard pass from Phil Simms (Joe Danelo kick), 12:09 (NYG 10–0)
NYG – Joe Danelo 54-yard field goal, 4:30 (NYG 13–0)

Third quarter

NYG – Joe Danelo 21-yard field goal, 12:10 (NYG 16–0)
NYG – Joe Danelo 47-yard field goal, 5:39 (NYG 19–0)
NYG – Rob Carpenter 2-yard run (Joe Danelo kick), 3:5 (NYG 26–0)

Fourth quarter

NYG – Joe Danelo 31-yard field goal, 11:15 (NYG 29–0)
NYG – Joe Danelo 37-yard field goal, 0:16 (NYG 32–0)

|stats=

Top passers

NYG – Phil Simms: 12/27, 103 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
SEA – Jim Zorn: 14/22, 84 yds, 1 INT

Top rushers

NYG – Rob Carpenter: 21 car, 116 yds, 1 TD
SEA – Theotis Brown: 4 car, 9 yds

Top receivers

NYG – Gary Shirk: 4 rec, 30 yds, 1 TD
SEA – Steve Largent: 4 rec, 40 yds

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

NYG – 88 – 213 – 301 – 1
SEA – 98 – 29 – 127 – 4

}}

==Week 8: at New York Jets==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Eight: Seattle Seahawks at New York Jets – Game summary

|date=October 25

|time=4:01 pm local

|road=Seahawks

|R1=0|R2=7|R3=6|R4=6

|home=Jets

|H1=0|H2=0|H3=3|H4=0

|stadium=Shea Stadium, New York

|attendance=49,678

|weather=overcast, {{convert|55|°F|°C}}, 64% humidity, wind SE {{convert|17|mph|km/h}}

|referee=Bob McElwee

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Charlie Jones and Len Dawson

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221060509/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_10_25_atNYJ.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

No scoring plays

Second quarter

SEA – Steve Largent 10-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 2:55 (SEA 7–0)

Third quarter

SEA – Steve Largent 27-yard pass from Jim Zorn (PAT failed), 12:53 (SEA 13–0)
NYJ – Pat Leahy 34-yard field goal, 7:53 (SEA 13–3)

Fourth quarter

SEA – Sherman Smith 4-yard run (PAT failed), 13:42 (SEA 19–3)

|stats=

Top passers

SEA – Jim Zorn: 13/21, 172 yds, 1 TD
NYJ – Richard Todd: 14/29, 121 yds, 2 INT

Top rushers

SEA – Theotis Brown: 14 car, 104 yds
NYJ – Bruce Harper: 8 car, 60 yds

Top receivers

SEA – Steve Largent: 6 rec, 80 yds, 1 TD
NYJ – Scott Dierking: 2 rec, 22 yds

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

SEA – 163 – 217 – 380 – 1
NYJ – 101 – 118 – 219 – 4

}}

==Week 9: at Green Bay Packers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Nine: Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

|date=November 1

|time=1:02 pm local

|road=Seahawks

|R1=7|R2=14|R3=3|R4=0

|home=Packers

|H1=7|H2=14|H3=7|H4=6

|stadium=Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

|attendance=49,467

|weather=clear, {{convert|56|°F|°C}}, 75% humidity, wind NE {{convert|5|mph|km/h}}

|referee=Chuck Heberling

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Sam Nover and Dave Rowe

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221060429/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_11_01_atGB.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

SEA – John Harris 42-yard interception return (Efrén Herrera kick), 10:47 (SEA 7–0)
GB – Paul Coffman 7-yard pass from David Whitehurst (Jan Stenerud kick), 5:57 (Tied 7–7)

Second quarter

SEA – Dan Doornink 12-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 11:03 (SEA 14–7)
GB – David Whitehurst 1-yard run (Jan Stenerud kick), 5:19 (Tied 14–14)
GB – James Lofton 8-yard pass from David Whitehurst (Jan Stenerud kick), 4:18 (GB 21–14)
SEA – Dan Doornink 14-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 0:24 (Tied 21–21)

Third quarter

SEA – Efrén Herrera 54-yard field goal, 5:54 (SEA 24–21)
GB – James Lofton 38-yard pass from David Whitehurst (Jan Stenerud kick), 1:02 (GB 28–24)

Fourth quarter

GB – Jan Stenerud 19-yard field goal, 1:58 (GB 31–24)
GB – Jan Stenerud 36-yard field goal, 0:45 (GB 34–24)

|stats=

Top passers

SEA – Jim Zorn: 12/23, 108 yds, 2 TD
GB – David Whitehurst: 19/31, 205 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

SEA – Theotis Brown: 17 car, 89 yds
GB – Gerry Ellis: 23 car, 127 yds

Top receivers

SEA – Steve Largent: 3 rec, 45 yds
GB – James Lofton: 4 rec, 63 yds, 2 TD

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

SEA – 102 – 119 – 221 – 3
GB – 195 – 182 – 337 – 3

}}

==Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Ten: Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary

|date=November 8

|time=1:01 pm local

|road=Steelers

|R1=7|R2=14|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Seahawks

|H1=3|H2=7|H3=0|H4=14

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=59,058

|weather=indoors

|referee=Dick Jorgensen

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Jay Randolph and Rocky Bleier

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221071855/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_11_08_PIT.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

PIT – Franco Harris 6-yard run (David Trout kick), 8:15 (PIT 7–0)
SEA – Efrén Herrera 37-yard field goal, 0:17 (PIT 7–3)

Second quarter

PIT – Mark Malone 90-yard pass from Terry Bradshaw (David Trout kick), 14:11 (PIT 14–3)
PIT – Sidney Thornton 4-yard run (David Trout kick), 1:12 (PIT 21–3)
SEA – Dan Doornink 44-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 0:37 (PIT 21–10)

Third quarter

No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

SEA – Theotis Brown 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 13:13 (PIT 21–17)
SEA – Theotis Brown 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 9:04 (SEA 24–21)

|stats=

Top passers

PIT – Terry Bradshaw: 13/22, 212 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
SEA – Jim Zorn: 18/25, 277 yds, 1 TD

Top rushers

PIT – Franco Harris: 15 car, 61 yds, 1 TD
SEA – Theotis Brown: 18 car, 43 yds, 2 TD

Top receivers

PIT – Mark Malone: 1 rec, 90 yds, 1 TD
SEA – Dan Doornink: 3 rec, 82 yds, 1 TD

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

PIT – 205 – 162 – 367 – 2
SEA – 260 – 96 – 356 – 1

}}

==Week 11: vs. San Diego Chargers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Eleven: Seattle Seahawks vs. San Diego Chargers – Game summary

|date=November 16

|time=6:05 pm local

|road=Chargers

|R1=7|R2=10|R3=0|R4=6

|home=Seahawks

|H1=0|H2=24|H3=14|H4=6

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=58,628

|weather=indoors

|referee=Bob Frederic

|TV=ABC

|TVAnnouncers= Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, and Howard Cosell

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221061337/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_11_16_SD.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

SD – Chuck Muncie 1-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 6:35 (SD 7–0)

Second quarter

SEA – Efrén Herrera 25-yard field goal, 12:43 (SD 7–3)
SEA – Theotis Brown 2-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 11:27 (SEA 10–7)
SEA – Sherman Smith 18-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:56 (SEA 17–7)
SD – Chuck Muncie 73-yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick), 4:26 (SEA 17–14)
SEA – Theotis Brown 1-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 0:57 (SEA 24–14)
SD – Rolf Benirschke 32-yard field goal, 0:03 (SEA 24–17)

Third quarter

SEA – Dan Doornink 80-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:46 (SEA 31–17)
SEA – Dan Doornink 3-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 0:12 (SEA 38–17)

Fourth quarter

SEA – Efrén Herrera 30-yard field goal, 13:05 (SEA 41–17)
SD – Charlie Joiner 19-yard pass from Dan Fouts (PAT failed), 11:39 (SEA 41–23)
SEA – Efrén Herrera 23-yard field goal, 6:11 (SEA 44–23)

|stats=

Top passers

SD – Dan Fouts: 20/34, 252 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
SEA – Jim Zorn: 11/22, 221 yds, 2 TD

Top rushers

SD – Chuck Muncie: 20 car, 151 yds, 2 TD
SEA – Theotis Brown: 18 car, 83 yds, 2 TD

Top receivers

SD – Kellen Winslow: 7 rec, 106 yds
SEA – Dan Doornink: 1 rec, 80 yds, 1 TD

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

SD – 291 – 195 – 486 – 4
SEA – 212 – 156 – 368 – 0

}}

==Week 12: at Kansas City Chiefs==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Twelve: Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

|date=November 22

|time=1:01 pm local

|road=Seahawks

|R1=3|R2=3|R3=7|R4=0

|home=Chiefs

|H1=3|H2=17|H3=7|H4=13

|stadium=Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

|attendance=49,002

|weather=clear, {{convert|53|°F|°C}}, 40% humidity, wind SE {{convert|8|mph|km/h}}

|referee=Fred Silva

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers=

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221062405/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_11_22_atKC.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

SEA – Efrén Herrera 26-yard field goal, 7:58 (SEA 3–0)
KC – Nick Lowery 37-yard field goal, 2:46 (Tied 3–3)

Second quarter

KC – Nick Lowery 24-yard field goal, 11:16 (KC 6–3)
SEA – Efrén Herrera 30-yard field goal, 2:51 (Tied 6–6)
KC – J.T. Smith 14-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 1:07 (KC 13–6)
KC – Lloyd Burruss 46-yard interception return (Nick Lowery kick), 0:31 (KC 20–6)

Third quarter

KC – Billy Jackson 1-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:40 (KC 27–6)
SEA – Steve Largent 30-yard pass from Jim Zorn (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:46 (KC 27–13)

Fourth quarter

KC – Willie Scott 2-yard pass from Bill Kenney (Nick Lowery kick), 14:57 (KC 33–13)
KC – Billy Jackson 2-yard run (Nick Lowery kick), 9:36 (KC 40–13)

|stats=

Top passers

SEA – Jim Zorn: 19/30, 258 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
KC – Bill Kenney: 17/22, 181 yds, 2 TD

Top rushers

SEA – Theotis Brown: 16 car, 63 yds
KC – James Hadnot: 10 car, 106 yds

Top receivers

SEA – Steve Largent: 4 rec, 63 yds, 1 TD
KC – J.T. Smith: 7 rec, 70 yds, 1 TD

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

SEA – 256 – 83 – 339 – 2
KC – 181 – 269 – 450 – 0

}}

==Week 13: vs. Oakland Raiders==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Thirteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. Oakland Raiders – Game summary

|date=November 29

|time=1:02 pm local

|road=Raiders

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=8|R4=21

|home=Seahawks

|H1=0|H2=10|H3=14|H4=7

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=57,147

|weather=indoors

|referee=Gordon McCarter

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Jay Randolph and Gene Washington

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221071815/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_11_29_OAK.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

No scoring plays

Second quarter

SEA – Efrén Herrera 22-yard field goal, 12:38 (SEA 3–0)
OAK – Chris Bahr 20-yard field goal, 8:26 (Tied 3–3)
SEA – Jim Zorn 3-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 5:44 (SEA 10–3)

Third quarter

SEA – Sherman Smith 3-yard run (Efrén Herrera kick), 12:13 (SEA 17–3)
SEA – Rodell Thomas 5-yard fumble return (Efrén Herrera kick), 12:00 (SEA 24–3)
OAK – Safety, Jeff West stepped out of end zone, 6:22 (SEA 24–5)
OAK – Derrick Ramsey 5-yard pass from Marc Wilson (PAT failed), 2:48 (SEA 24–11)

Fourth quarter

OAK – Bob Chandler 8-yard pass from Marc Wilson (Chris Bahr kick), 11:02 (SEA 24–18)
OAK – Arthur Whittington 16-yard pass from Marc Wilson (Chris Bahr kick), 5:53 (OAK 25–24)
OAK – Derrick Jensen 3-yard run (Chris Bahr kick), 1:51 (OAK 32–24)
SEA – Steve Largent 11-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Efrén Herrera kick), 0:08 (OAK 32–31)

|stats=

Top passers

OAK – Marc Wilson: 20/33, 218 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
SEA – Jim Zorn: 14/25, 239 yds

Top rushers

OAK – Kenny King: 13 car, 75 yds
SEA – Theotis Brown: 18 car, 34 yds

Top receivers

OAK – Derrick Ramsey: 5 rec, 82 yds, 1 TD
SEA – Sam McCullum: 4 rec, 91 yds

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

OAK – 156 – 181 – 337 – 4
SEA – 314 – 69 – 383 – 1

}}

==Week 14: vs. New York Jets==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Fourteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Jets – Game summary

|date=December 6

|time=1:02 pm local

|road=Jets

|R1=0|R2=9|R3=7|R4=7

|home=Seahawks

|H1=6|H2=7|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=53,105

|weather=indoors

|referee=Gene Barth

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Bob Costas and Bob Trumpy

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221062315/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_12_06_NYJ.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

SEA – Sam McCullum 6-yard pass from Jim Zorn (PAT failed), 12:35 (SEA 6–0)

Second quarter

NYJ – Scott Dierking 11-yard pass from Richard Todd (PAT failed), 13:02 (Tied 6–6)
SEA – Theotis Brown 21-yard run (Wilson Álvarez kick), 5:25 (SEA 13–6)
NYJ – Pat Leahy 26-yard field goal, 1:18 (SEA 13–9)

Third quarter

NYJ – Scott Dierking 15-yard run (Pat Leahy kick), 13:19 (NYJ 16–13)
SEA – Dave Krieg 1-yard run (Wilson Álvarez kick), 1:04 (SEA 20–16)

Fourth quarter

NYJ – Kevin Long 1-yard pass from Richard Todd (Pat Leahy kick), 9:21 (NYJ 23–20)
SEA – Steve Largent 57-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Wilson Álvarez kick), 8:21 (SEA 27–23)

|stats=

Top passers

NYJ – Richard Todd: 27/27, 286 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
SEA – Dave Krieg: 20/26, 264 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

NYJ – Kevin Long: 11 car, 51 yds
SEA – Theotis Brown: 18 car, 73 yds, 1 TD

Top receivers

NYJ – Bruce Harper: 8 rec, 67 yds
SEA – Steve Largent: 7 rec, 169 yds, 1 TD

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

NYJ – 276 – 119 – 395 – 3
SEA – 256 – 127 – 383 – 4

}}

==Week 15: at Denver Broncos==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Fifteen: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary

|date=December 13

|time=2:00 pm local

|road=Seahawks

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=3|R4=7

|home=Broncos

|H1=7|H2=3|H3=6|H4=7

|stadium=Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

|attendance=74,527

|weather=partly cloudy, {{convert|45|°F|°C}}, 42% humidity, wind NE {{convert|14|mph|km/h}}

|referee=Fred Wyant

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Jay Randolph and Jim Turner

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221072118/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_12_13_atDEN.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

DEN – Riley Odoms 22-yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick), 10:58 (DEN 7–0)

Second quarter

SEA – Wilson Álvarez 28-yard field goal, 8:06 (DEN 7–3)
DEN – Fred Steinfort 33-yard field goal, 0:00 (DEN 10–3)

Third quarter

DEN – Fred Steinfort 43-yard field goal, 11:28 (DEN 13–3)
DEN – Fred Steinfort 24-yard field goal, 8:13 (DEN 16–3)
SEA – Wilson Álvarez 20-yard field goal, 1:58 (DEN 16–6)

Fourth quarter

DEN – Rick Parros 8-yard run (Fred Steinfort kick), 3:12 (DEN 23–6)
SEA – David Hughes 5-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Wilson Álvarez kick), 0:03 (DEN 23–13)

|stats=

Top passers

SEA – Dave Krieg: 18/40, 219 yds, 1 TD
DEN – Craig Morton: 15/30, 144 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

SEA – Dan Doornink: 6 car, 22 yds
DEN – Rick Parros: 16 car, 82 yds, 1 TD

Top receivers

SEA – Steve Largent: 3 rec, 72 yds
DEN – Riley Odoms: 2 rec, 38 yds, 1 TD

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

SEA – 199 – 86 – 285 – 5
DEN – 136 – 237 – 373 – 3

}}

==Week 16: vs. Cleveland Browns==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Seattle Seahawks|year=1981|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title= Week Sixteen: Seattle Seahawks vs. Cleveland Browns – Game summary

|date=December 20

|time=1:03 pm local

|road=Browns

|R1=0|R2=7|R3=7|R4=7

|home=Seahawks

|H1=14|H2=14|H3=14|H4=0

|stadium=Kingdome, Seattle

|attendance=51,435

|weather=indoors

|referee=Chuck Heberling

|TV=NBC

|TVAnnouncers= Jay Randolph and Mike Haffner

|reference=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150221072247/http://seahawksmedia.com/PlayByPlays/1981/1981_12_20_CLE.PDF Gamebook]

|scoring=

First quarter

SEA – Kenny Easley 82-yard interception return (Wilson Álvarez kick), 11:42 (SEA 7–0)
SEA – Theotis Brown 2-yard run (Wilson Álvarez kick), 1:30 (SEA 14–0)

Second quarter

SEA – Steve Largent 4-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Wilson Álvarez kick), 14:32 (SEA 21–0)
SEA – Gregg Johnson 31-yard fumble return (Wilson Álvarez kick), 13:37 (SEA 28–0)
CLE – Greg Pruitt 5-yard pass from Paul McDonald (Matt Bahr kick), 6:44 (SEA 28–7)

Third quarter

SEA – Paul Johns 10-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Wilson Álvarez kick), 8:26 (SEA 35–7)
SEA – Steve Largent 14-yard pass from Dave Krieg (Wilson Álvarez kick), 7:25 (SEA 42–7)
CLE – Dave Logan 16-yard pass from Paul McDonald (Matt Bahr kick), 5:36 (SEA 42–14)

Fourth quarter

CLE – Calvin Hill 8-yard pass from Paul McDonald (Matt Bahr kick), 10:02 (SEA 42–21)

|stats=

Top passers

CLE – Paul McDonald: 24/34, 297 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
SEA – Dave Krieg: 14/21, 206 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT

Top rushers

CLE – Charles White: 18 car, 68 yds
SEA – Horace Ivory: 9 car, 38 yds

Top receivers

CLE – Dave Logan: 5 rec, 101 yds, 1 TD
SEA – Steve Largent: 6 rec, 80 yds, 2 TD

Team – {{tooltip|pass|passing yards}} – {{tooltip|rush|rushing yards}} – {{tooltip|total|total yards}} – {{tooltip|to|turnovers}}

CLE – 301 – 151 – 452 – 10
SEA – 182 – 110 – 292 – 5

}}

References

External links

[http://www.nfl.com/draft/history/fulldraft?teamId=4600&type=team Seahawks draft history at NFL.com]
[http://www.nfl.com/teams/schedule?team=SEA&season=1981&seasonType=REG 1981 NFL season results at NFL.com]

Seattle

Category:Seattle Seahawks seasons

Category:1981 in sports in Washington (state)

Category:1980s in Seattle