  super bowl xvi was an american football game between the national football conference (nfc) champion san francisco 49ers and the american football conference (afc) champion cincinnati bengals to decide the national football league (nfl) champion for the 1981 season. the 49ers defeated the bengals by the score of 26â21 to win their first super bowl. the game was played on january 24, 1982, at the pontiac silverdome in pontiac, michigan, a suburb of detroit. it marked the first time that a super bowl was held at a cold-weather city. the domed stadium saved the crowd at the game from the very cold and snowy weather, but the weather did affect traffic and other logistical issues related to the game. super bowl xvi also became one of the most watched broadcasts in american television history, with more than 85 million viewers, and a final national nielsen rating of 49.1 (a 73 share). for the first time since super bowl iii, both teams were making their first super bowl appearance. the 49ers posted a 13â3 regular season record, and playoff wins over the 
1981_National_Football_League_season 1982_in_Michigan Cincinnati_Bengals_postseason San_Francisco_49ers_postseason Sports_in_Pontiac,_Michigan Super_Bowl