1981 San Diego Chargers season
Rounding out the trio of receiving stars, tight end Kellen Winslow led the league in receptions for the second consecutive year, finishing with 88 catches for 1,075 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Quarterback Dan Fouts broke the NFL record for passing yardage for the third consecutive season, averaging 300 yards per game for the first time as he totaled 4,802.
He was helped in this by a strong offensive line, anchored by veterans Russ Washington and Doug Wilkerson who conceded only 19 sacks from 16 games, their best performance through Fouts' 15 years with the club.
[3][4] With rookie James Brooks and John Cappelletti also contributing, San Diego rushed for over 2,000 yards for the only time during the pass-focussed Don Coryell's tenure.
They continued to be tough against the run but with veteran safety Glen Edwards absent with injury through the first half of the season, they dropped to dead last against the pass: the 4,311 yards they conceded were a new NFL record.
Rookie James Brooks rushed for the opener 4:10 into the game, and San Diego led the rest of the way, with Chuck Muncie adding another touchdown on the ground before halftime.
In the second half, Charlie Joiner had receptions of 51 and 57 yards, and Brooks, Hank Bauer and Ron Smith all caught touchdowns from Dan Fouts.
[8] Cleveland QB Brian Sipe put up 375 yards through the air, but was intercepted by Bob Gregor and Mike Williams as the Browns chased the game.
Lions QB Gary Danielson was sacked by Jones on the ensuing drive, but came back with three straight completions to reach the Charger eight-yard line.
Kenney then covered 76 yards in five straight completions to begin the Kansas City comeback, and Fouts was intercepted in Chief territory shortly before halftime.
Four plays later, the Chiefs pressured punter George Roberts into running; he was stopped well short of a first down, and Kansas City capitalised with a field goal.
Craig Morton, who posted a perfect passer rating on the day, threw touchdowns on four successive first half drives, the longest covering 93 yards, while the Chargers committed three turnovers and failed to score.
With Denver having switched to their backup quarterback, they gained only one first down on their next two drives, while San Diego added a 52-yard Benirschke field goal and John Cappelletti's short touchdown run.
Starting at their own 15, San Diego gained one first down before Cappelletti added his name to the list of fumblers, with Denver recovering and finally scoring the clinching touchdown seven plays later.
Seattle did manage a field goal early in the 4th quarter, but San Diego responded with a 13-play, 80-yard drive, Joiner scoring the clinching touchdown with 3:54 on the clock.
Vikings' QB Tommy Kramer was intercepted twice in the 1st quarter — one pick, by Buchanon, stopped a threatening drive; the other, by Gary Johnson, was run back to the Minnesota two-yard line.
San Diego's passing attack improved in the second half; Fouts found Joiner for 45 yards, but Benirschke missed a long field goal.
After the San Diego defense were able to stop Walter Payton a yard short of the end zone, Roveto missed an 18-yard chip shot.
San Diego were unable to cross midfield on the first four possessions of the second half, turning the ball over twice as Kansas City chipped away at their deficit.
He later revealed that San Diego had not changed their defensive signals since the 1980 season; Fuller was able to interpret them and give the Bengal offense an edge in this game.
Chuck Muncie then interrupted the flow, breaking a tackle at the line of scrimmage and bursting through the defense for a 73-yard touchdown run, the longest of his career.
The Chargers came close to tying the game on the opening possession of the second half, reaching the Seattle one yard line before Muncie was stuffed for no gain on both 3rd and 4th down.
Brooks then ran a punt back 37 yards, and Winslow broke two tackles on the 29-yard touchdown that put San Diego ahead at the break.
Chuck Muncie became the second Charger to rush for four touchdowns in a game, and San Diego won a crucial divisional matchup with some ease.
After Woodcock sacked Craig Morton to force a three-and-out, San Diego drove for another quick touchdown, Chandler's 44-yard catch setting up Muncie's short TD run.
Later in the 1st quarter, they breached Bills territory again, but Mario Clark intercepted Fouts and returned the ball 53 yards to set up a Buffalo touchdown.
Buffalo defenders, possibly distracted by a official's flag (which was on the Bills) were slow to react, and Winslow completed a 67-yard touchdown reception, putting San Diego up 21-14 at halftime.
As a result, San Diego had the opportunity to win the AFC West on the final Monday night of the regular season for the third year in a row.
Fouts completions on the next two plays moved the ball 40 yards, and Brooks finished off the quickfire scoring drive with a 28-yard run up the middle, breaking three tackles on his way into the end zone.
Ahead 10-3 in the 2nd quarter, San Diego got a lucky break when Lester Hayes blocked a punt, only for Jim Laslavic to scoop up the ball and make first down yardage at the Charger 32.
