The 1981 Denver Broncos season was the team's 22nd year in professional football and its 12th with the National Football League (NFL). Led by first-year head coach Dan Reeves, the Broncos were 10–6, tied for first in the AFC West, but failed to make the postseason again due to their loss to the Buffalo Bills, who gained the final berth. The Broncos were undefeated at home in 1981, but had six road losses. After a promising 8–3 start, Denver lost three of their final five games, including a critical loss against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 12. Entering the season finale against the Chicago Bears, they had a one-game lead over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC West, but the loss at Soldier Field ended their season, losing the tiebreakers for the division and wild card berths. Prior to this season, ownership changed in February; coaching and front office changes were made in March.

NFL Draft

Personnel

Staff

Roster

Preseason

Schedule

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 6, 1981): vs. Oakland Raiders

Individual stats

Week 2 (Sunday, September 13, 1981): at Seattle Seahawks

Individual stats

Week 3 (Sunday, September 20, 1981): vs. Baltimore Colts

Individual stats

Week 4 (Sunday, September 27, 1981): vs. San Diego Chargers

Individual stats

Week 5 (Sunday, October 4, 1981): at Oakland Raiders

Individual stats

Week 6 (Sunday, October 11, 1981): vs. Detroit Lions

Individual stats

Week 7 (Sunday, October 18, 1981): at Kansas City Chiefs

Individual stats

Week 8 (Sunday, October 25, 1981): at Buffalo Bills

Individual stats

Week 9 (Monday, November 2, 1981): vs. Minnesota Vikings

Individual stats

Week 10 (Sunday, November 8, 1981): vs. Cleveland Browns

Individual stats

Week 11 (Sunday, November 15, 1981): at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Individual stats

Week 12 (Sunday, November 22, 1981): at Cincinnati Bengals

Individual stats

Week 13 (Sunday, November 29, 1981): at San Diego Chargers

Individual stats

Week 14 (Sunday, December 6, 1981): vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Individual stats

Week 15 (Sunday, December 13, 1981): vs. Seattle Seahawks

Individual stats

Week 16 (Sunday, December 20, 1981); at Chicago Bears

Individual stats

Standings