| 1981 New York Jets season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Leon Hess |
| Head coach | Walt Michaels |
| Home field | Shea Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 10–5–1 |
| Division place | 2nd AFC East |
| Playoff finish | Lost Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Bills) 27–31 |
| Pro Bowlers | C Joe Fields T Marvin Powell DE Joe Klecko DE Mark Gastineau |
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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 4–12 record from 1980 under head coach Walt Michaels. The Jets sputtered early, starting 0–3 and (combined with the previous season's 4–12 finish) fueling a quarterback controversy and altercation between quarterback Richard Todd and sports writer Steve Serby and speculation about Michaels’ job. After the 0–3 start, however, the Jets would catch fire, and go on a 10–2–1 run. The team ultimately finished the season with a record of 10–5–1 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, 31–27.