The 1981 New York Jets season was the 22nd season for the franchise and its twelfth in the National Football League (NFL). It began with the team trying to improve upon its 4âÂÂ12 record from 1980 under head coach Walt Michaels. The Jets sputtered early, starting 0âÂÂ3 and (combined with the previous season's 4âÂÂ12 finish) fueling a quarterback controversy and altercation between quarterback Richard Todd and sports writer Steve Serby and speculation about Michaelsâ job. After the 0âÂÂ3 start, however, the Jets would catch fire, and go on a 10âÂÂ2âÂÂ1 run. The team ultimately finished the season with a record of 10âÂÂ5âÂÂ1 and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1969, breaking a twelve-season drought. In the playoffs, however, they fell to their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills, 31âÂÂ27.
TV Announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones, Len Dawson