In the weeks leading up to training camp, we will take a look back at a few of the most pivotal seasons in Bengals history. The 1981 season featured the team's first playoff win, the "Freezer Bowl" and the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance.
### **Season Summary**
A season that began with the unveiling of the now iconic Bengals-striped helmets ended in Cincinnati's first trip to the Super Bowl. Coming off a 6-10 season in 1980 under first-year head coach Forrest Gregg, the Bengals made a jump from worst to first in the 1981 AFC Central.
Led by league MVP Ken Anderson, the Bengals finished 12-4 and won the AFC Central for the third time. Cincinnati started the season 5-3 before winning seven of their last eight games, including five in a row.
Anderson posted a league-best 98.4 quarterback rating en route to his Most Valuable Player award, leading a Bengals offense that jumped from 15.3 points per game in 1980 (27th in the league) to 26.3 points per game in 1981 (third). Rookie receiver Cris Collinsworth, a second-round pick out of the University of Florida, hauled in 67 receptions for 1,009 yards and eight touchdowns, while TE Dan Ross caught a then-club record 71 passes. FB Pete Johnson led the rushing attack: He set a then-club record in rushing yards with 1,077 and scored 12 touchdowns.
Cincinnati hosted the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, their first-ever home postseason contest. The Bengals won their first playoff game in franchise history, beating the Bills 28-21. Anderson hit Collinsworth for a 16-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to break the 21-21 tie, and the Cincinnati defense came up with a late stop to clinch the victory. Anderson completed 66% of his passes for 192 yards in the game, while HB Charles Alexander ran in two touchdowns and compiled a season-high 72 rushing yards.
The Bengals then hosted the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship, a game that would come to be known as "The Freezer Bowl." The coldest wind chill game in NFL history, the 1981 AFC title bout was played in frigid -9-degree weather with a -59-degree wind chill.