1981 San Diego Chargers Game-by-Game Results
Team Record: 10-6
Finishing 1st in the NFL's West Division of the American Football Conference
Postseason: 1-1 Lost Conference Championship
Coach: Don Coryell (10-6)
Location: San Diego, California
1981 San Diego Chargers Roster
The San Diego Chargers of the National Football League ended the 1981 season with a record of 10 wins and 6 losses, finishing first in the NFL's West Division of the American Football Conference. The team compiled a postseason mark of 1-1.
Offensively, San Diego paced the circuit with 478 points. At the same time, the leaky defense allowed 390 points. Dan Fouts triggered the aerial attack, slinging for 4,802 yards. Kellen Winslow grabbed 88 passes, while Charlie Joiner accumulated 1,188 receiving yards.
Chuck Muncie carried the ball for a team-best 1,144 yards for the Chargers.
Willie Buchanon intercepted 5 opponent throws.
Don Coryell coached the team. The 1981 San Diego Chargers lost in the Conference Championship.
Click on column headings to sort.
Regular Season Points For: 478
Regular Season Points Against: 390
| Date | Game | Res | Home | Road | Record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 7, 1981 | San Diego Chargers 44 at Cleveland Browns 14 | W | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | ||
| September 13, 1981 | Detroit Lions 23 at San Diego Chargers 28 | W | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 2-0-0 | ||
| September 20, 1981 | San Diego Chargers 42 at Kansas City Chiefs 31 | W | 1-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 3-0-0 | ||
| September 27, 1981 | San Diego Chargers 24 at Denver Broncos 42 | L | 1-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | ||
| October 4, 1981 | Seattle Seahawks 10 at San Diego Chargers 24 | W | 2-0-0 | 2-1-0 | 4-1-0 | ||
| October 11, 1981 | Minnesota Vikings 33 at San Diego Chargers 31 | L | 2-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 4-2-0 | ||
| October 18, 1981 | San Diego Chargers 43 at Baltimore Colts 14 | W | 2-1-0 | 3-1-0 | 5-2-0 | ||
| October 25, 1981 | San Diego Chargers 17 at Chicago Bears 20 | L | 2-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 5-3-0 | OT | |
| November 1, 1981 | Kansas City Chiefs 20 at San Diego Chargers 22 | W | 3-1-0 | 3-2-0 | 6-3-0 | ||
| November 8, 1981 | Cincinnati Bengals 40 at San Diego Chargers 17 | L | 3-2-0 | 3-2-0 | 6-4-0 | ||
| November 16, 1981 | San Diego Chargers 23 at Seattle Seahawks 44 | L | 3-2-0 | 3-3-0 | 6-5-0 | ||
| November 22, 1981 | San Diego Chargers 55 at Oakland Raiders 21 | W | 3-2-0 | 4-3-0 | 7-5-0 | ||
| November 29, 1981 | Denver Broncos 17 at San Diego Chargers 34 | W | 4-2-0 | 4-3-0 | 8-5-0 | ||
| December 6, 1981 | Buffalo Bills 28 at San Diego Chargers 27 | L | 4-3-0 | 4-3-0 | 8-6-0 | ||
| December 13, 1981 | San Diego Chargers 24 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23 | W | 4-3-0 | 5-3-0 | 9-6-0 | ||
| December 21, 1981 | Oakland Raiders 10 at San Diego Chargers 23 | W | 5-3-0 | 5-3-0 | 10-6-0 | ||
| January 2, 1982 | San Diego Chargers 41 at Miami Dolphins 38 | W | 0-0-0 | 1-0-0 | 1-0-0 | OT | AFC Divisional Playoff |
| January 10, 1982 | San Diego Chargers 7 at Cincinnati Bengals 27 | L | 0-0-0 | 1-1-0 | 1-1-0 | AFC Championship |
