Personnel
Staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
|
| 1981 Philadelphia Eagles season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Leonard Tose |
| General manager | Jim Murray |
| Head coach | Dick Vermeil |
| Home field | Veterans Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–6 |
| Division place | 2nd NFC East |
| Playoff finish | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Giants) 21–27 |
The 1981 season was the Philadelphia Eagles' 49th in the National Football League (NFL). They made the postseason for the fourth straight season (the first time in franchise history the Eagles made the postseason four straight times). The team was coming off a loss to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV the previous season. Because they made the Super Bowl in 1980, the Eagles were picked by many not only to reach the Super Bowl, but to win it as well. The Eagles began the 1981 season with 6 straight wins, their best ever start to a season at the time. They won 3 of their next 5 games for a record of 9–2. Then they lost their next 4 games in a row to slip to 9–6, but clinched a playoff spot for the fourth straight season prior to the final week of the regular season due to owning a tiebreaker with the Packers and not finishing last had the Eagles, Giants, and Packers finished 9–7. The next week, they hammered the St. Louis Cardinals 38–0 to clinch the Wild Card Game would be held in Philadelphia. In the playoffs, they met their arch rivals the New York Giants. It was New York's first playoff appearance in 18 years. The Giants stunned the Eagles 27–21, ending the Eagles' season as well as hopes for a second straight Super Bowl appearance. The Eagles would not make the playoffs again until 1988. They wouldn't reach the Super Bowl again until 2004.
After going 12–4, winning the NFC title and losing in Super Bowl XV to the Oakland Raiders in the 1980 season, the Eagles were slotted to pick next to last in the 12 rounds of the 1981 NFL draft.
The NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 28–29, 1981. ESPN covered all 12 rounds live for the first time. ESPN then showed a replay later that night. This was over a period of two days.
The Eagles had the 27th pick in each of the 12 rounds of the draft except for the 5th, 6th, and 8th rounds; they had no picks for these rounds because of draft-day trades. Instead, they had two picks in the 7th round: the 8th and 27th picks. The Eagles drafted a total of 10 players.
| 1981 Philadelphia Eagles Draft | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | |
| 1 | 27 | Leonard Mitchell | DE | Houston | |
| 2 | 55 | Dean Miraldi | G | Utah | |
| 3 | 83 | Greg LaFleur | TE | LSU | |
| 4 | 110 | Calvin Murray | RB | Ohio State | |
| 6 | 165 | Traded to NY Giants | |||
| 7 | 174 | Alan Duncan | K | Tennessee | |
| 192 | Doak Field | LB | Baylor | ||
| 8 | 220 | Traded to Baltimore | |||
| 9 | 247 | Chuck Commiskey | OL | Ole Miss | |
| 10 | 275 | Hubert Oliver | RB | Arizona | |
| 11 | 303 | Gail Davis | DT | Virginia Union | |
| 12 | 331 | Ray Ellis | DB | Ohio State | |
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
|
The 1981 season schedule was set by how the Eagles finished in 1980, 1st in NFC East. The way it was laid out, 4 of the 5 teams in the same 5 team division could end up having 10 to 14 common opponents during the 1981 season. Also, when the last regular season game is over you know who you play the following year.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 6, 1981 | at New York Giants | W 24–10 | 72,459 |
| 2 | September 13, 1981 | New England Patriots | W 13–3 | 71,089 |
| 3 | September 17, 1981 | at Buffalo Bills | W 20–14 | 78,331 |
| 4 | September 27, 1981 | Washington Redskins | W 36–13 | 70,664 |
| 5 | October 5, 1981 | Atlanta Falcons | W 16–13 | 71,488 |
| 6 | October 11, 1981 | at New Orleans Saints | W 31–14 | 52,728 |
| 7 | October 18, 1981 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 35–23 | 45,459 |
| 8 | October 25, 1981 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 20–10 | 70,714 |
| 9 | November 1, 1981 | Dallas Cowboys | L 17–14 | 72,111 |
| 10 | November 8, 1981 | at St. Louis Cardinals | W 52–10 | 48,421 |
| 11 | November 15, 1981 | Baltimore Colts | W 38–13 | 68,618 |
| 12 | November 22, 1981 | New York Giants | L 20–10 | 66,827 |
| 13 | November 30, 1981 | at Miami Dolphins | L 13–10 | 67,797 |
| 14 | December 6, 1981 | at Washington Redskins | L 15–13 | 52,206 |
| 15 | December 13, 1981 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 21–10 | 64,955 |
| 16 | December 20, 1981 | St. Louis Cardinals | W 38–0 | 56,656 |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Sunday, September 6, 1981 Kickoff 1:00 PM Eastern
Played at The Meadowlands on an AstroTurf playing surface at 70 °F (21 °C) with an 11 mph (18 km/h) wind
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Philadelphia Eagles (1–0) | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| New York Giants (0–1) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| SCORING PLAYS | NYG | PHI | TIME | ||
| 1st | Giants | Joe Danelo 27-yard field goal | 0 | 3 | |
| 2nd | Eagles | Perry Harrington 1-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 7 | 3 | |
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 47-yard field goal | 10 | 3 | ||
| 3rd | Eagles | Rodney Parker 55-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 17 | 3 | |
| 4th | Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 1-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 24 | 3 | |
| Giants | Leon Perry 19-yard pass from Phil Simms (Joe Danelo kick) | 24 | 10 |
Sunday, September 13, 1981 Kickoff 4:00 PM Eastern
TV Broadcast: NBC Announcers: Dick Enberg and John Brodie
Played at Veterans Stadium on an AstroTurf playing surface weather= 74 °F (23 °C) (Sunny)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| New England Patriots (2–0) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (2–0) | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
| SCORING PLAYS | NE | PHI | TIME | ||
| 1st | Patriots | John Smith 22-yard field goal | 3 | 0 | |
| 2nd | Eagles | Tony Franklin 46-yard field goal | 3 | 3 | |
| 3rd | Eagles | Tony Franklin 22-yard field goal | 3 | 6 | |
| Eagles | Perry Harrington 6-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 3 | 13 |
Thursday, September 17, 1981 Kickoff 8:30 PM Eastern
Played at Rich Stadium on AstroTurf playing surface at 55 °F (13 °C) with an 8 mph (13 km/h) wind
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Philadelphia Eagles (3–0) | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Buffalo Bills (2–1) | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| SCORING PLAYS | PHI | BUF | TIME | ||
| 1st | Eagles | Keith Krepfle 1-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 7 | 0 | |
| 2nd | Bills | Joe Cribbs 4-yard rush (Nick Mike-Mayer kick) | 7 | 7 | |
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 29-yard field goal | 10 | 7 | ||
| Bills | Frank Lewis 20-yard pass from Joe Ferguson (Nick Mike-Mayer kick) | 10 | 14 | ||
| 3rd | Eagles | Harold Carmichael 15-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 17 | 14 | |
| 4th | Eagles | Tony Franklin 46-yard field goal | 20 | 14 |
Sunday, September 27, 1981 Kickoff 1:00 PM Eastern
Played at Veterans Stadium on an AstroTurf playing surface weather= 68 °F (20 °C) (Sunny)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Washington Redskins (0–4) | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (4–0) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 36 |
| SCORING PLAYS | WAS | PHI | TIME | ||
| 2nd | Eagles | Louie Giammona 13-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 0 | 7 | |
| Redskins | Mark Moseley 19-yard field goal | 3 | 7 | ||
| Redskins | Mark Moseley 22-yard field goal | 6 | 7 | ||
| 3rd | Eagles | Louie Giammona 1-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 6 | 14 | |
| 4th | Redskins | John Riggins 3-yard rush (Mark Moseley kick) | 13 | 14 | |
| Eagles | Charlie A. Smith 29-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 13 | 21 | ||
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 28-yard field goal | 13 | 24 | ||
| Eagles | Safety, Clarke tackled Theismann in end zone | 13 | 26 | ||
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 36-yard field goal | 13 | 29 | ||
| Eagles | Greg Brown 7-yard fumble return (Tony Franklin kick) | 13 | 36 |
Monday, October 5, 1981 Kickoff 9:00 PM Eastern
Played at Veterans Stadium on AstroTurf playing surface weather= 62 °F (17 °C) (Clear)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Atlanta Falcons (3–2) | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | 13 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (5–0) | 6 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
| SCORING PLAYS | ATL | PHI | TIME | ||
| 1st | Eagles | Tony Franklin 36-yard field goal | 0 | 3 | |
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 34-yard field goal | 0 | 6 | ||
| 2nd | Eagles | Charlie A. Smith 30-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 0 | 13 | |
| 3rd | Falcons | Mick Luckhurst 35-yard field goal | 3 | 13 | |
| Falcons | Kenny Johnson 20-yard fumble return (Mick Luckhurst kick) | 10 | 13 | ||
| 4th | Eagles | Tony Franklin 43-yard field goal | 10 | 16 | |
| Falcons | Mick Luckhurst 43-yard field goal | 13 | 16 |
Sunday, October 11, 1981 Kickoff 12:00 PM Central
Played at Louisiana Superdome on an AstroTurf playing surface at 72 °F (22 °C) indoors
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Philadelphia Eagles (6–0) | 14 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 31 |
| New Orleans Saints (1–5) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| SCORING PLAYS | PHI | NO | TIME | ||
| 1st | Saints | George Rogers 5-yard rush (Benny Ricardo kick) | 0 | 7 | |
| Eagles | Keith Krepfle 11-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 7 | 7 | ||
| Eagles | Booker Russell 1-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 14 | 7 | ||
| 2nd | Eagles | Booker Russell 1-yard rush (Reggie Wilkes pass from Ron Jaworski) | 21 | 7 | |
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 22-yard field goal | 24 | 7 | ||
| 3rd | Eagles | Frank LeMaster 47-yard fumble return (Tony Franklin kick) | 31 | 7 | |
| 4th | Saints | George Rogers 3-yard rush (Benny Ricardo kick) | 31 | 14 |
Sunday, October 18, 1981 Kickoff 12:00 PM Central
Played at Metropolitan Stadium on a grass playing surface at 44 °F (7 °C) with a 27 mph (43 km/h) wind
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Philadelphia Eagles (6–1) | 6 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 23 |
| Minnesota Vikings (5–2) | 0 | 21 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| SCORING PLAYS | PHI | MIN | TIME | ||
| 1st | Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 1-yard rush (kick failed) | 6 | 0 | |
| 2nd | Vikings | Joe Senser 11-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick) | 6 | 7 | |
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 30-yard field goal | 9 | 7 | ||
| Vikings | Sammy White 50-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick) | 9 | 14 | ||
| Vikings | Bob Bruer 1-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick) | 9 | 21 | ||
| 3rd | Vikings | Ahmad Rashad 5-yard pass from Tommy Kramer (Rick Danmeier kick) | 9 | 28 | |
| 4th | Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 25-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 16 | 28 | |
| Vikings | Ted Brown 1-yard rush (Rick Danmeier kick) | 16 | 35 | ||
| Eagles | Harold Carmichael 21-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 23 | 35 |
Sunday, October 25, 1981 Kickoff 1:00 PM Eastern
Played at Veterans Stadium on an AstroTurf playing surface weather= 55 °F (13 °C) (Rain)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4–4) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (7–1) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 20 |
| SCORING PLAYS | TB | PHI | ||
| 1st | Buccaneers | Doug Williams 1-yard rush (Bill Capece kick) | 7 | 0 |
| 2nd | Eagles | Keith Krepfle 6-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 7 | 7 |
| 4th | Eagles | Tony Franklin 44-yard field goal | 7 | 10 |
| Buccaneers | Bill Capece 29-yard field goal | 10 | 10 | |
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 32-yard field goal | 10 | 13 | |
| Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 2-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 10 | 20 |
Sunday, November 1, 1981 Kickoff 4:00 PM Eastern
Played at Veterans Stadium on an AstroTurf playing surface weather= 60 °F (16 °C) (Cloudy)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Dallas Cowboys (8–1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (7–2) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| SCORING PLAYS | DAL | PHI | TIME | ||
| 2nd | Cowboys | Rafael Septien 21-yard field goal | 3 | 0 | |
| Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 2-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 3 | 7 | ||
| 3rd | Eagles | Harold Carmichael 85-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 3 | 14 | |
| 4th | Cowboys | Doug Cosbie 17-yard pass from Danny White (Rafael Septien kick) | 10 | 14 | |
| Cowboys | Tony Dorsett 9-yard rush (Rafael Septien kick) | 17 | 14 |
Sunday, November 8, 1981 Kickoff 12:00 PM Central
Played at the Busch Memorial Stadium on an AstroTurf playing surface at 57 °F (14 °C) with an 8 mph (13 km/h) wind.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Philadelphia Eagles (8–2) | 7 | 10 | 14 | 21 | 52 |
| St. Louis Cardinals (3–7) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| SCORING PLAYS | PHI | STL | TIME | ||
| 1st | Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 19-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 7 | 0 | |
| Cardinals | Mel Gray 42-yard pass from Jim Hart (Neil O'Donoghue kick) | 7 | 7 | ||
| 2nd | Cardinals | Neil O'Donoghue 21-yard field goal | 7 | 10 | |
| Eagles | Rodney Parker 33-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 14 | 10 | ||
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 32-yard field goal | 17 | 10 | ||
| 3rd | Eagles | Harold Carmichael 14-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 24 | 10 | |
| Eagles | Harold Carmichael 38-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 31 | 10 | ||
| 4th | Eagles | Billy Campfield 2-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 38 | 10 | |
| Eagles | Wally Henry 20-yard pass from Joe Pisarcik (Tony Franklin kick) | 45 | 10 | ||
| Eagles | Booker Russell 1-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 52 | 10 |
Sunday, November 15, 1981 Kickoff 1:00 PM Eastern
Played at Veterans Stadium on AstroTurf weather= 54 °F (12 °C) (Light rain)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Baltimore Colts (1–10) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (9–2) | 7 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
| SCORING PLAYS | BAL | PHI | TEAM | ||
| 1st | Eagles | Keith Krepfle 15-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 0 | 7 | |
| 2nd | Colts | Curtis Dickey 1-yard rush (kick failed) | 6 | 7 | |
| Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 5-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 6 | 14 | ||
| Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 1-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 6 | 21 | ||
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 32-yard field goal | 6 | 24 | ||
| Eagles | Charlie A. Smith 30-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 6 | 31 | ||
| 4th | Colts | Zachary Dixon 17-yard pass from Bert Jones (Mike Wood kick) | 13 | 31 | |
| Eagles | Wally Henry 44-yard pass from Joe Pisarcik (Tony Franklin kick) | 13 | 38 |
Sunday, November 22, 1981 Kickoff 1:00 PM Eastern
Played at Veterans Stadium on an AstroTurf playing surface weather= 46 °F (8 °C) (Cloudy)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| New York Giants (8–4) | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (9–3) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| SCORING PLAYS | OAK | PHI | TIME | ||
| 1st | Giants | Joe Danelo 39-yard field goal | 3 | 0 | |
| Eagles | Keith Krepfle 6-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 3 | 7 | ||
| 2nd | Giants | Leon Bright 1-yard rush (Joe Danelo kick) | 10 | 7 | |
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 27-yard field goal | 10 | 10 | ||
| 4th | Giants | Joe Danelo 30-yard field goal | 13 | 10 | |
| Giants | Terry Jackson 32-yard interception return (Joe Danelo kick) | 20 | 10 |
Monday, November 30, 1981 Kickoff 9:00 PM Pacific
Played at Orange Bowl on grass playing surface at 73 °F (23 °C) with an 8 mph (13 km/h) wind
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Philadelphia Eagles (9–4) | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
| Miami Dolphins (8–4–1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
| SCORING PLAYS | PHI | MIA | TIME | ||
| 1st | Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 1-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 7 | 0 | |
| 2nd | Dolphins | Uwe von Schamann 42-yard field goal | 7 | 3 | |
| 3rd | Eagles | Tony Franklin 42-yard field goal | 10 | 3 | |
| 4th | Dolphins | Duriel Harris 17-yard pass from Don Strock (Uwe von Schamann kick) | 10 | 10 | |
| Dolphins | Uwe von Schamann 27-yard field goal | 10 | 13 |
Sunday, December 6, 1981 Kickoff 1:00 PM Eastern
Played at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium on a grass playing surface at 43 °F (6 °C) with a 21 mph (34 km/h) wind
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Philadelphia Eagles (9–5) | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Washington Redskins (6–8) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 15 |
| SCORING PLAYS | PHI | WAS | TIME | ||
| 1st | Redskins | Joe Washington 6-yard rush (kick failed) | 0 | 6 | |
| 2nd | Eagles | Billy Campfield 25-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 7 | 6 | |
| Eagles | Billy Campfield 5-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (kick failed) | 13 | 6 | ||
| 4th | Redskins | Mark Moseley 45-yard field goal | 13 | 9 | |
| Redskins | Monte Coleman 52-yard interception return (kick failed) | 13 | 15 |
Sunday, December 13, 1981 Kickoff 3:00 PM Central
Played at Texas Stadium on an AstroTurf playing surface at 44 °F (7 °C) with a 9 mph (14 km/h) wind
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| Philadelphia Eagles (9–6) | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Dallas Cowboys (12–3) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| SCORING PLAYS | PHI | DAL | TIME | ||
| 1st | Eagles | Tony Franklin 50-yard field goal | 3 | 0 | |
| 2nd | Eagles | Booker Russell 1-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 10 | 0 | |
| Cowboys | Tony Hill 8-yard pass from Danny White (Rafael Septien kick) | 10 | 7 | ||
| 3rd | Cowboys | Butch Johnson 36-yard pass from Danny White (Rafael Septien kick) | 10 | 14 | |
| 4th | Cowboys | Ron Springs 12-yard rush (Rafael Septien kick) | 10 | 21 |
Sunday, December 21, 1981 Kickoff 1:00 PM Eastern
Played at Veterans Stadium on AstroTurf playing surface weather= 29 °F (−2 °C) (Sunny)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| St. Louis Cardinals (7–9) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (10–6) | 7 | 21 | 10 | 0 | 38 |
| SCORING PLAYS | STL | PHI | TIME | ||
| 1st | Eagles | Charlie A. Smith 4-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 0 | 7 | |
| 2nd | Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 9-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 0 | 14 | |
| Eagles | Hubie Oliver 13-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 0 | 21 | ||
| Eagles | Harold Carmichael 6-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 0 | 28 | ||
| 3rd | Eagles | Billy Campfield 29-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 0 | 35 | |
| Eagles | Tony Franklin 44-yard field goal | 0 | 38 |
| NFC East | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| Dallas Cowboys (2) | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–2 | 8–4 | 367 | 277 | L1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (4) | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–4 | 7–5 | 368 | 221 | W1 |
| New York Giants (5) | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 5–3 | 8–6 | 295 | 257 | W3 |
| Washington Redskins | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3–5 | 6–6 | 347 | 349 | W3 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–6 | 4–8 | 315 | 408 | L2 |
| Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wildcard | December 27, 1981 | New York Giants | L 27–21 | 71,611 |
Sunday, December 27, 1981 Kickoff 3:30 PM Eastern
Played at Veterans Stadium on AstroTurf playing surface weather= 38 °F (3 °C) (Light drizzle)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
| New York Giants (10–7) | 20 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Philadelphia Eagles (10–7) | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| SCORING PLAYS | NYG | PHI | TIME | ||
| 1st | Giants | Leon Bright 9-yard pass from Scott Brunner (kick failed) | 6 | 0 | |
| Giants | John Mistler 10-yard pass from Scott Brunner (Joe Danelo kick) | 13 | 0 | ||
| Giants | Mark Haynes 0-yard fumble return (Joe Danelo kick) | 20 | 0 | ||
| 2nd | Eagles | Harold Carmichael 15-yard pass from Ron Jaworski (Tony Franklin kick) | 20 | 7 | |
| Giants | Tom Mullady 22-yard pass from Scott Brunner (Joe Danelo kick) | 27 | 7 | ||
| 3rd | Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 6-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 27 | 14 | |
| 4th | Eagles | Wilbert Montgomery 1-yard rush (Tony Franklin kick) | 27 | 21 |
The 1984 season was the Chicago Bears' 65th in the National Football League the 15th post-season completed in the NFL, and their third under head coach Mike Ditka. The team improved from their 8–8 record from 1983, to a 10–6 record, earning them a spot in the NFL playoffs. The Bears went on to lose in the NFC Championship Game 23–0 to the eventual Super Bowl Champion San Francisco 49ers led by Joe Montana.
The 1968 New York Jets season was the ninth season for the team in the American Football League (AFL). The team had the most successful season in franchise history. Trying to improve upon their 8–5–1 record of 1967, they won the AFL Eastern Division with an 11–3 record. They defeated the defending champion Oakland Raiders, 27–23 in the AFL championship game and earned the right to play in Super Bowl III against the NFL champion Baltimore Colts. In a stunning upset, marked by fourth-year quarterback Joe Namath's famous "guarantee" of victory, the Jets defeated the heavily favored Colts 16–7. The Jets have yet to return to the Super Bowl, making them and the New Orleans Saints the only teams to have won their only championship game, also holding the longest appearance drought in NFL history, having not appeared in the 53 complete seasons since this game; they did not appear in a semifinal playoff round again until 1983.
The 1989 Los Angeles Rams season was the franchise's 52nd season in the National Football League, their 53rd overall, and their 44th in the Greater Los Angeles Area. It constituted their last postseason appearance in Los Angeles before owner Georgia Frontiere, who would eventually move the team to St. Louis six seasons later, sold many top players, and in the playoffs, they were defeated by the eventual Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers 30–3 in the NFC Championship Game
The 1986 season was the New York Giants' 62nd in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coach Bill Parcells. The New York Giants, who play in the National Football Conference (NFC) of the National Football League (NFL), won their fifth championship—and first Super Bowl—in franchise history during the season. Led by consensus league Most Valuable Player (MVP) linebacker Lawrence Taylor and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Phil Simms, the Giants posted a 14–2 record during the regular season, tied for the best record in the league with the defending Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears. The Giants improved on their 10–6 record from 1985, won their first division championship since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, and won Super Bowl XXI against the Denver Broncos.
The 1983 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 24th season in the National Football League. The Cowboys finished second in the NFC East and improving their 6-3 record from 1982. The team broke the record for consecutive playoff appearances with 9.
The 1980 season was the Oakland Raiders' 21st since they were founded, their 11th in the National Football League (NFL) and their second under head coach Tom Flores.
The 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 47th season in the National Football League (NFL). The Steelers successfully defended their Super Bowl Championship from the previous year, despite not improving on their 14–2 record from last year with a 12–4 record. They went on to defeat the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV. The Steelers started out to a 4–0 record. Adding to the previous season, the Steelers had won 12 in a row. They finished the regular season at 12–4. In six of those games the opponents were held to a touchdown or less. In the playoffs Pittsburgh defeated Miami, 34–14 and then for the second consecutive season beat Houston 27–13, in the AFC championship game. The Steelers ended the decade by defeating the Los Angeles Rams 31–19 in Super Bowl XIV. Despite them and the San Diego Chargers having 12–4 records, the Chargers were awarded the top seed in the AFC because of their victory over the Steelers.
The 1982 Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 51st season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 46th in Washington, D.C. Although the Redskins lost all their preseason games, they advanced from an 8–8 record the previous season to become one of the only two teams in NFL history to win the Super Bowl after not winning a pre-season game. The 1990 Buffalo Bills and 2000 New York Giants also made it to the Super Bowl after a winless pre-season, but they did not win the Super Bowl.
The 1983 Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 47th in Washington, D.C. The season began with the team trying to win consecutive Super Bowls, following their victory in Super Bowl XVII against the Miami Dolphins. Washington's 14–2 record was a franchise record and the best in the NFL. Their two losses were by a combined two points. Though the Redskins won the NFC Championship and advanced to a second consecutive Super Bowl, they were blown out by the Los Angeles Raiders 38–9 despite being 3-point favorites. They were the first defending Super Bowl champions to qualify for the playoffs since the 1979 Pittsburgh Steelers.
The 1972 Washington Redskins season was the 41st in the National Football League (NFL) and the 36th in Washington, D.C. The Redskins were trying to build on the success of the previous season, in which they had finished 9–4–1 and made the postseason for the first time in 26 seasons. They ultimately finished the year 11–3.
The 1989 season was the San Francisco 49ers' 40th in the National Football League (NFL), their 44th overall and their 1st season under head coach George Seifert. After going 14–2 in the regular season, the 49ers completed the season with one of the most dominant playoff runs of all time, outscoring opponents 126–26, earning their fourth Super Bowl victory and their second consecutive, where they defeated the Broncos, 55–10. They finished with the best record in the NFL for the first time since 1987. Their two losses were by a combined 5 points. The 49ers became the 2nd team in NFL history to win 4 Super Bowls, the first being the Steelers.
The 1977 Dallas Cowboys season was their 18th in the National Football League (NFL). The club appeared twice on Monday Night Football. Rookie running back Tony Dorsett rushed for 1,007 yards and became the second member of the Cowboys to have a 1,000-yard rushing season. Dallas scored 345 points, which ranked first in the NFC, while its defense only gave up 212 points. Dallas finished with a 12–2 record. The Cowboys made it to their fourth Super Bowl and beat the Denver Broncos to capture their second Super Bowl title. They were the first team from the NFC East Division to win two Super Bowls. Their 15–2 (.882) record remains the highest single-season winning percentage in franchise history. The Cowboys became the 4th team in NFL history to win two Super Bowls, joining the Packers, Dolphins, and Steelers.
The 1978 Dallas Cowboys season was their 19th in the National Football League (NFL). For the third consecutive season, the Cowboys finished in first place in the NFC East. The Cowboys scored 384 points, which ranked first in the league, while the defense only gave up 208 points, 3rd best in the league. Twice, the Cowboys appeared on Monday Night Football.
The 1980 Philadelphia Eagles season was the team's 48th season in the National Football League (NFL). The Eagles won twelve of their sixteen games, winning their division for the first time in twenty years. The Eagles started the season winning eleven of their first twelve games, only to finish the season losing three of their final four. Still, the 12–4 record was good enough to win the NFC East division title for the first time in franchise history since the NFC East had been formed.
The 1978 Philadelphia Eagles season was the franchise's 46th season in the National Football League (NFL). The Eagles reached the postseason for the first time since their championship-winning season in 1960, which ended the longest postseason drought in the franchise's history and one of the longest in the history of the NFL. The Eagles ended their playoff drought by winning their final game in the regular season and needing either the Minnesota Vikings or Green Bay Packers to lose - both teams ended up losing and thus earned a wild card entry. This was also the first season since 1966 in which the franchise finished the season with a winning record.
The 1990 Philadelphia Eagles season was the team's 58th in the National Football League (NFL).
The 1975 Dallas Cowboys season was the team's sixteenth season in the National Football League (NFL), all under head coach Tom Landry. The Cowboys finished second in the National Football Conference (NFC) East division with a 10–4 regular season record and advanced through the playoffs to Super Bowl X, where they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Steelers 21–17. They were also the first wild card team to reach the Super Bowl.
The 1994 Philadelphia Eagles season was their 62nd in the National Football League (NFL). On May 6, 1994, the NFL approved the transfer of majority interest in the team from Norman Braman to Jeffrey Lurie. The team failed to improve upon their previous output of 8–8, winning only seven games and failing to qualify for the playoffs.
The 1987 Philadelphia Eagles season was their 55th in the National Football League (NFL). Despite the interruption of the schedule by the second strike in six seasons, the team improved upon its previous output of 5–10–1, going 7–8. However, three of those losses came during the three-game stretch during the strike when teams were staffed primarily with replacement players, or "scabs," who crossed the picket lines to suit up. Despite the improvement, the team once again failed to qualify for the playoffs.
The 2012 New York Giants season was the franchise's 88th season in the National Football League (NFL), the ninth under head coach Tom Coughlin and the third playing their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants began the 2012 season as defending Super Bowl Champions for the fourth time in their history, by virtue of their 21–17 victory in Super Bowl XLVI over the New England Patriots, their second Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. The Giants finished 9–7 for the second straight year, but failed to make the playoffs. Like in 2011, the Giants went 3–5 after a 6–2 start. The 2012 Giants were also the first defending Super Bowl champion to miss the playoffs since the 2009 Steelers.
