1981 Buffalo Bills season
| 1981 Buffalo Bills season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Ralph Wilson |
| Head coach | Chuck Knox |
| Home stadium | Rich Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–6 |
| Division place | 3rd AFC East |
| Playoffs | Won Wild Card Playoffs (at Jets) 31–27 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Bengals) 21–28 |
| Pro Bowlers | RB Joe Cribbs WR Frank Lewis DT Fred Smerlas |
The 1981 Buffalo Bills season was the franchise's 12th season in the National Football League, and the 22nd overall.
The season's most memorable moment was probably a Hail Mary catch against the New England Patriots in Week Twelve. The 36-yard touchdown pass from Bills quarterback Joe Ferguson to running back Roland Hooks as time expired won the game for Buffalo, 20–17. The win proved to be crucial in giving Buffalo the final playoff spot in the AFC in 1981. The Bills qualified for the playoffs defeating their division rival New York Jets, 31–27 in the Wild Card game. But lost 28–21 to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Divisional playoffs.