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1981 Detroit Lions season

NFL team season

NFL team season

FieldValue
teamDetroit Lions
year1981
record8–8
division_place2nd NFC Central
coachMonte Clark
stadiumPontiac Silverdome
playoffsDid not qualify
pro bowlers{{Collapsible list
title2
AP All-pros{{Collapsible list
title2
shortnavlinkLions seasons

|RB Billy Sims |DT Doug English | AP All-pros = {{Collapsible list |RB Billy Sims (2nd team) |DT Doug English (2nd team)

The 1981 Detroit Lions season was their 52nd in the league. The team failed to improve upon their previous season's record of 9–7, winning eight games. The Lions started off the first four games even at 2–2. In the fourth game of the season, starting quarterback Gary Danielson suffered a dislocated wrist, which ended his season. Backup quarterback Jeff Komlo finished the game and was named the starter for the next week. In the next two games, Komlo struggled. The Lions lost both of those games. Head Coach Monte Clark made the decision to give third-string quarterback Eric Hipple start on a Monday Night game against the Chicago Bears. In front of approximately 71,000 fans, Clark's gamble paid off as the Lions defeated the Bears 48–17.

Star halfback Billy Sims continued to play solid football, amassing 1,888 total yards in total offense while scoring a team-high 14 touchdowns. The Lions had a chance to win the division on the last day against Tampa Bay, but lost and finished in second place in the NFC Central with an 8–8 record. The team missed the playoffs for the eleventh straight season.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1981 NFL draft

Detroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"1981 Detroit Lions DraftDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"Draft orderDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"Player nameDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"PositionDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"CollegeDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"RoundDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"Selection1162463724995129615571828211923892401026411294
Mark NicholsWRSan Jose State
Curtis GreenDEAlabama State
Don GrecoGWestern Illinois
Tracy PorterWRLSU
Larry LeeDENorth Carolina State
Sam JohnsonDBMaryland
Lee SpiveyOTSMU
Bob NiziolekTEColorado
Hugh JerniganDBArkansas
Dave MartinDBVillanova
Andy CannavinoLBMichigan
Willie JacksonDBMississippi State

Undrafted free agents

PlayerPositionCollege
Bob StachowiczQuarterbackMichigan State

Roster

Schedule

Detroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"WeekDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"DateDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"OpponentDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"ResultDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"RecordDetroit Lionsyear=1981border=2}}"Attendance12345678910111213141516
September 6San Francisco 49ersW 24–171–063,710
September 13at San Diego ChargersL 28–231–151,264
September 20at Minnesota VikingsL 26–241–245,350
September 27Oakland RaidersW 16–02–277,919
October 4at Tampa Bay BuccaneersL 28–102–371,733
October 11at Denver BroncosL 27–212–474,816
Chicago BearsW 48–173–471,273
October 25Green Bay PackersW 31–274–476,063
November 1at Los Angeles RamsL 20–134–561,814
November 8at Washington RedskinsL 33–314–652,096
November 15Dallas CowboysW 27–245–679,694
November 22at Chicago BearsW 23–76–650,082
Kansas City ChiefsW 27–107–676,735
December 6at Green Bay PackersL 31–177–754,481
Minnesota VikingsW 45–78–779,428
December 20Tampa Bay BuccaneersL 20–178–880,444
Note: Intra-division games are in bold text

Week 13

Standings

References

References

  1. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1981.htm 1981 Detroit Lions]
  2. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198111260det.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
Info: Wikipedia Source

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