The Dallas Cowboys were 12-4 in 1981. They finished 1st in the NFC East and 2nd in the NFC. They fell to the San Francisco 49ers, 28 to 27, in the 1981 NFC Championship game on January 10, 1982.
Scores & Schedules
See schedule
SF
TB
NYG
PHI
BAL
1981 Division Standings
Cowboys
Redskins
Cardinals Latest Dallas Cowboys News
-
Penalties and other mistakes are plaguing the Cowboys even when they find ways to win
-
Javonte Williams' late TD run helps Cowboys avoid another 4th-quarter collapse and beat Colts 27-23
-
Cowboys face Colts without 3 starters because of injuries, including Pickens
-
Cowboys place rookie edge rusher Malachi Lawrence on IR with high ankle sprain
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 | 367 | 5,880 | 1,100 | 5.3 | 2,711 | 630 | 4.3 | 3,414 | 439 | 7.8 | 31 | 245 | 321 | 137 | 158 | 26 | 103 | 839 |
Team Rank | 6th | 5th | 7th | 8th | 2nd | 1st | 4th | 16th | 26th | 4th | 11th | 18th | 8th | 5th | 17th | 9th | 14th | 9th | |
Opponent | 16 | 277 | 5,419 | 1,021 | 5.3 | 2,049 | 468 | 4.4 | 3,717 | 511 | 7.3 | 42 | 347 | 286 | 106 | 162 | 18 | 104 | 837 |
Opponent Rank | 7th | 20th | 7th | 25th | 16th | 6th | 23rd | 21st | 18th | 19th | 8th | 9th | 6th | 6th | 15th | 3rd | 12th | 19th | |
Net | +90 | +461 | +79 | +0.0 | +662 | +162 | -0.1 | -303 | -72 | +0.5 | -11 | -102 | +35 | +31 | -4 | +8 | -1 | +2 | |
Net Rank | 4th | 11th | 4th | 16th | 4th | 1st | 17th | 20th | 26th | 7th | 6th | 23rd | 8th | 4th | 16th | 7th | 12th | 13th |
More NFL News
Kubiak stands by Raiders defense as 30-plus points allowed streak hits 6 games
A cleared Deshaun Watson, a rising Shedeur Sanders and a Browns QB decision on hold
Chargers QB Justin Herbert avoids injury to non-throwing hand after taking 8 sacks vs. Texans
Streaking Rams suddenly face a rough future after Nacua joins Adams on sideline with injuries
Dan Campbell is focused on Patriots, not travel as Lions prepare for trip to Germany
Packers' recent surge hasn't helped them make up ground on their NFC North rivals
NFL 2026 Leaders
NFL 2026 Rankings
NFL Fantasy 2026
NFL 2026 Betting
NFL 2026 Standings
| NFC East | W | L | T | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | 2 | 1 | .688 | |
4 | 5 | 0 | .444 | |
2 | 5 | 1 | .313 | |
2 | 7 | 0 | .222 | |
| NFC North | W | L | T | PCT |
6 | 1 | 0 | .857 | |
7 | 2 | 0 | .778 | |
6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | |
6 | 3 | 0 | .667 | |
| NFC South | W | L | T | PCT |
3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | |
3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | |
3 | 6 | 0 | .333 | |
3 | 6 | 0 | .333 | |
| NFC West | W | L | T | PCT |
7 | 1 | 0 | .875 | |
5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | |
5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | |
3 | 6 | 0 | .333 |
Commanders
Vikings
Bears
Lions
Packers
Panthers
Saints
Falcons
Seahawks
Rams
Cardinals| AFC East | W | L | T | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | 1 | 0 | .857 | |
5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | |
2 | 7 | 0 | .222 | |
1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | |
| AFC North | W | L | T | PCT |
6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | |
6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | |
5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | |
4 | 5 | 0 | .444 | |
| AFC South | W | L | T | PCT |
6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | |
3 | 5 | 0 | .375 | |
2 | 7 | 0 | .222 | |
1 | 7 | 0 | .125 | |
| AFC West | W | L | T | PCT |
7 | 2 | 0 | .778 | |
6 | 2 | 0 | .750 | |
4 | 5 | 0 | .444 | |
0 | 8 | 0 | .000 |
Bills
Patriots
Jets
Dolphins
Steelers
Bengals
Browns
Ravens
Jaguars
Texans
Colts
Titans
Broncos
Chiefs
Raiders
Chargers