The Cincinnati Bengals were 12-4 in 1981. They finished 1st in the AFC Central and 1st in the AFC. They fell to the San Francisco 49ers, 26 to 21, in Super Bowl XVI. It was their first Super Bowl appearance.
Scores & Schedules
See schedule
1981 Division Standings
Oilers
1981 Stats
See stats| GP | PTS | YDS | PLY | AVG | RUSH YDS | RUSH ATT | RUSH AVG | PASS YDS | PASS ATT | PASS AVG | SCK | SCKY | 1DWN | RUSH 1DWN | PASS 1DWN | PEN 1DWN | PEN | PEN YDS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | 16 | 421 | 5,968 | 1,078 | 5.5 | 1,973 | 493 | 4.0 | 4,200 | 550 | 7.6 | 35 | 205 | 361 | 124 | 210 | 27 | 109 | 896 |
Team Rank | 3rd | 2nd | 12th | 2nd | 17th | 18th | 17th | 4th | 5th | 6th | 12th | 24th | 3rd | 14th | 3rd | 8th | 19th | 15th | |
Opponent | 16 | 304 | 5,289 | 1,055 | 5.0 | 1,881 | 465 | 4.0 | 3,757 | 548 | 6.9 | 42 | 349 | 324 | 126 | 167 | 31 | 104 | 787 |
Opponent Rank | 12th | 12th | 15th | 14th | 9th | 3rd | 16th | 22nd | 25th | 11th | 8th | 21st | 21st | 20th | 18th | 23rd | 12th | 23rd | |
Net | +117 | +679 | +23 | +0.5 | +92 | +28 | 0.0 | +443 | +2 | +0.8 | -7 | -144 | +37 | -2 | +43 | -4 | +5 | +109 | |
Net Rank | 2nd | 5th | 14th | 5th | 12th | 13th | 15th | 6th | 12th | 6th | 8th | 24th | 6th | 17th | 2nd | 17th | 18th | 22nd |
More NFL News
Michael Penix Jr. joins Falcons drills as he continues his comeback from 2025 knee injury
Cardinals activate edge rusher Josh Sweat from PUP list, boosting team's defense
Packers coach Matt LaFleur to face off against Cardinals' Mike LaFleur at joint practice
Rams backup OL Justin Dedich practices for first time after hand injury
Saleh embraces Titans’ preseason blunders as awesome for teaching tape after 19-16 win
Panthers expect starting RB Chuba Hubbard to be ready for the season opener vs. the Bears
NFL 2025 Leaders
NFL 2025 Rankings
NFL Fantasy 2025
NFL 2025 Betting
NFL 2025 Standings
| AFC East | W | L | T | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Patriots - y | 14 | 3 | 0 | .824 |
 Bills - w | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 |
 Dolphins - e | 7 | 10 | 0 | .412 |
 Jets - e | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 |
| AFC North | W | L | T | PCT |
 Steelers - y | 10 | 7 | 0 | .588 |
 Ravens - e | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 |
 Bengals - e | 6 | 11 | 0 | .353 |
 Browns - e | 5 | 12 | 0 | .294 |
| AFC South | W | L | T | PCT |
 Jaguars - y | 13 | 4 | 0 | .765 |
 Texans - w | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 |
 Colts - e | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 |
 Titans - e | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 |
| AFC West | W | L | T | PCT |
 Broncos - z* | 14 | 3 | 0 | .824 |
 Chargers - w | 11 | 6 | 0 | .647 |
 Chiefs - e | 6 | 11 | 0 | .353 |
 Raiders - e | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 |
| NFC East | W | L | T | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Eagles - y | 11 | 6 | 0 | .647 |
 Cowboys - e | 7 | 9 | 1 | .441 |
 Commanders - e | 5 | 12 | 0 | .294 |
 Giants - e | 4 | 13 | 0 | .235 |
| NFC North | W | L | T | PCT |
 Bears - y | 11 | 6 | 0 | .647 |
 Packers - w | 9 | 7 | 1 | .559 |
 Vikings - e | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 |
 Lions - e | 9 | 8 | 0 | .529 |
| NFC South | W | L | T | PCT |
 Panthers - y | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 |
 Buccaneers - e | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 |
 Falcons - e | 8 | 9 | 0 | .471 |
 Saints - e | 6 | 11 | 0 | .353 |
| NFC West | W | L | T | PCT |
 Seahawks - z* | 14 | 3 | 0 | .824 |
 Rams - w | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 |
 49ers - w | 12 | 5 | 0 | .706 |
 Cardinals - e | 3 | 14 | 0 | .176 |