1981 AFC Championship Game Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals vs. 1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals

Attribute	1981 AFC Championship Game Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals	1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals
Location	Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio	Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Date	January 10, 1982	January 3, 1982
Result	Cincinnati Bengals won 28-21	Cincinnati Bengals won 28-21
Attendance	46,302	46,302
Quarterbacks	Ken Anderson (CIN), Joe Ferguson (BUF)	Ken Anderson (CIN), Joe Ferguson (BUF)
Leading Rusher	Pete Johnson (CIN) - 80 yards	Joe Cribbs (BUF) - 80 yards
Leading Receiver	Cris Collinsworth (CIN) - 107 yards	Joe Cribbs (BUF) - 70 yards

Introduction

The 1981 NFL season was an exciting time for football fans, especially for those following the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. Both teams had successful seasons and met in the playoffs for two crucial games: the AFC Championship Game and the AFC Divisional Playoff Game. In this article, we will compare the attributes of these two games and analyze the key differences and similarities between them.

Team Performance

Both the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals had strong performances throughout the 1981 season. The Bills finished the regular season with an impressive 10-6 record, while the Bengals finished with a slightly better record of 12-4. This difference in regular season performance was reflected in their playoff seeding, with the Bengals earning a first-round bye as the top seed in the AFC.

When it came to the playoffs, both teams showed their mettle. The Bills defeated the New York Jets in the Wild Card round before facing the Bengals in the Divisional Playoff Game. The Bengals, on the other hand, had a week off to rest and prepare for their matchup against the Bills. This extra rest may have given the Bengals an advantage heading into the game.

1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game

The 1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals was a closely contested matchup. The game took place on January 3, 1982, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals, playing at home, were considered the favorites in this game due to their strong regular season performance and the rest they had coming into the matchup.

The game itself was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to move the ball effectively. The Bengals managed to take an early lead, but the Bills fought back and tied the game in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, it was a late field goal by Bengals kicker Jim Breech that sealed the victory for Cincinnati, with a final score of 28-21.

• The Bengals' defense was a key factor in their victory, forcing several turnovers and keeping the Bills' offense in check.
• Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson also had a solid performance, throwing for over 200 yards and two touchdowns.
• The Bills put up a valiant effort, but ultimately fell short in their quest for a playoff victory.

1981 AFC Championship Game

After their victory in the Divisional Playoff Game, the Cincinnati Bengals advanced to the 1981 AFC Championship Game to face the San Diego Chargers. The game took place on January 10, 1982, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals were once again playing at home, and they were determined to secure a spot in the Super Bowl.

The AFC Championship Game was a high-scoring affair, with both teams putting up impressive offensive numbers. The Bengals' offense was firing on all cylinders, led by quarterback Ken Anderson and running back Pete Johnson. The Chargers put up a strong fight, but in the end, it was the Bengals who emerged victorious with a final score of 27-7.

• The Bengals' offense was the standout performer in this game, with Anderson throwing for over 300 yards and Johnson rushing for over 100 yards and two touchdowns.
• The Bengals' defense also played a crucial role, holding the Chargers to just seven points and forcing several turnovers.
• The victory in the AFC Championship Game sent the Bengals to their first Super Bowl in franchise history, where they would ultimately fall to the San Francisco 49ers.

Conclusion

Both the 1981 AFC Divisional Playoff Game and AFC Championship Game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals were memorable matchups that showcased the talent and determination of both teams. While the Divisional Playoff Game was a close contest that could have gone either way, the AFC Championship Game was a dominant performance by the Bengals that secured their spot in the Super Bowl. These games will always be remembered by fans of both teams as important moments in their respective histories.