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1980 Oakland Raiders season
Head Coach Tom Flores
Home Field Oakland Coliseum
Results
Record 11–5
Place 2nd AFC West
Playoff Finish Won Wild Card Playoffs (vs. Oilers) 27–7
Won Divisional Playoffs (at Browns) 14–12
Won AFC Championship (at Chargers) 34–27
Won Super Bowl XV (vs. Eagles) 27–10
Timeline
Previous Season Next Season
1979 1981

The 1980 season was the Oakland Raiders' 21st since they were founded, their 11th in the National Football League and their second under head coach Tom Flores.

The team improved on their 9–7 record from 1979 to an 11–5 record, and ended with their second Super Bowl victory. In 1979, Raider owner Al Davis announced his intention to move the Raiders to Los Angeles. Negotiations between Davis and the Oakland Coliseum regarding potential improvements to the facility came to an end in February 1980. At the NFL's annual meeting on March 10, 1980, team owners voted 22-0 against allowing the move, with the Raiders not participating and five teams abstaining. Davis announced he would ignore the vote and move the team anyway.[1]

The Raiders played the entire 1980 season in Oakland. At a Monday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos on December 1, 1980, Raider fans protested by entering the Oakland Coliseum five minutes after the start of the game and holding up signs stating "Save Our Raiders" at each half's 2-minute warning. By some estimates, “almost two-thirds” of the Coliseum's seats had been empty at the game's kickoff.[1]

The announced move was involved in four lawsuits: the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission sued the NFL charging antitrust violations, the NFL sued the Raiders charging breach of contract, Raider season ticket holders filed a class-action lawsuit, and the City of Oakland filed for eminent domain of the team.[1]

Still playing in Oakland, the Raiders entered the season with a new Quarterback after acquiring Dan Pastorini from the Houston Oilers for Ken Stabler. However, Pastorini struggled and the Raiders got off to a 2–3 when Pastorini was injured and replaced by Jim Plunkett. Plunkett proved right for the Raiders offense. The defense led the league in interceptions (35), turnovers (52) and yards per carry (3.4 YPA). Lester Hayes led the NFL with 13 interceptions. The team won 6 straight compiling an 11–5 record and qualifying for the playoffs as a Wild Card. In the Wild Card Game, the Raiders would beat the Houston Oilers 27–7 at Oakland as the Raiders defense picked off former teammate Kenny Stabler twice. Playing in freezing weather with the temperature reading 2 degrees, the Raiders stunned the Browns 14–12 in a defensive struggle in Cleveland. In the AFC Championship Game in San Diego, the game would be a shoot out as the Raiders stunned the Chargers 34–27 to become the first AFC Wild Card to make it to the Super Bowl. Highlighted by Jim Plunkett's MVP performance and Rod Martin's 3 interceptions, the Raiders defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 27–10 in Super Bowl XV.

Offseason[]

1980 Raiders Draft Selections[2]
Round Overall Player Position College
1 15 Marc Wilson QB BYU
2 43 Matt Millen LB Penn State
5 125 Kenny Lewis HB Virginia Tech
5 126 John Adams LB LSU
5 128 William Bowens LB North Alabama
7 173 Malcolm Barnwell WR Virginia Union
8 194 Kenny Hill S Yale
10 231 Walter Carter DT Florida State
11 264 Mike Massey LB Arkansas
12 322 Calvin Muhammad WR Texas Southern

Roster[]

1980 Oakland Raiders roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

  • 20 I. M. Hipp
  • 33 Kenny King
  • 31 Derrick Jensen
  • 43 Ira Matthews
  • 30 Mark van Eeghen FB
  • 22 Arthur Whittington

Wide receivers

  • 81 Morris Bradshaw
  • 21 Cliff Branch
  • 85 Bob Chandler
  • 89 Rich Martini

Tight ends

  • 87 Dave Casper
  • 88 Raymond Chester
  • 46 Todd Christensen
  • 84 Derrick Ramsey
Offensive linemen
  • 50 Dave Dalby C
  • 79 Bruce Davis T
  • 70 Henry Lawrence T
  • 65 Mickey Marvin G
  • 71 Lindsey Mason T
  • 78 Art Shell T
  • 66 Steve Sylvester G
  • 63 Gene Upshaw G

Defensive linemen

  • 73 Dave Browning DE
  • 77 Joe Campbell DE
  • 86 Cedrick Hardman DE
  • 90 Willie Jones DE
  • 62 Reggie Kinlaw DT
  • 72 John Matuszak DE
  • 74 Dave Pear DT
Linebackers
  • 83 Ted Hendricks
  • 58 Monte Johnson
  • 53 Rod Martin
  • 57 Randy McClanahan
  • 55 Matt Millen
  • 51 Bob Nelson

Defensive backs

  • 36 Mike Davis SS
  • 37 Lester Hayes CB
  • 42 Monte Jackson
  • 23 Odis McKinney SS
  • 35 Dwayne O'Steen CB
  • 44 Burgess Owens FS

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • 80 Malcolm Barnwell WR (IR) Injury icon 2
  • 48 Kenny Hill SS (IR) Injury icon 2

Practice/Taxi Squad



Rookies in italics


Depth chart[]

Defense
1980 Oakland Raiders roster




CB
Lester Hayes


CB
Monte Jackson
Dwayne O'Steen
Offense
1980 Oakland Raiders roster
WR
Cliff Branch
LT LG C RG RT
Art Shell Gene Upshaw Dave Dalby Mickey Marvin Henry Lawrence
TE
Raymond Chester
Dave Casper
WR
Bob Chandler
QB
Jim Plunkett
Dan Pastorini
RB
Kenny King
FB
Mark van Eeghen
Special Teams
PK Chris Bahr
P Ray Guy
KR Ira Matthews
PR Ira Matthews


Staff[]

Head Coach: Tom Flores

Ast: Ray Willsey (RB), Lew Erber (WR), Sam Boghosian (OL), Earl Leggett (DL), Charlie Sumner (LB), Chet Franklin (DB), Steve Ortmayer (ST), Bob Mischak (OfA, pro sct), Joe Madro (OfA, sct), Willie Brown (DfA)

[3]

Regular season[]

Five weeks into the Raiders season, starting QB Dan Pastorini broke his leg in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. 32-year-old Jim Plunkett came off the bench to relieve Pastorini and had a terrible performance, throwing 5 interceptions in a 31–17 loss. The Raiders, thinking that Marc Wilson did not have the experience they wanted, called on Plunkett to start for the remainder of the year. In his first game as a starter, he completed eleven of fourteen passes with a touchdown and no interceptions, beginning one of the greatest comeback stories in the history of the sport. Plunkett guided Oakland to nine victories in eleven games and a playoff berth as a wild-card. Then, even more remarkably, rather than suffering an early defeat which marks the typical fate of NFL wild card teams, Plunkett led the Raiders to four playoff victories, including the Super Bowl, where they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 27–10, in Super Bowl XV. Throwing for 261 yards and three touchdowns, Plunkett was named the game's MVP.

At wide receiver, Cliff Branch re-emerged again as one of the games deep threats and had his best season since 1977. Bob Chandler, the other WR, had one of his best seasons, leading the team in receptions (49) and TDs (10).

All – Pro veteran Raymond Chester at tight end also contributed with timely big plays throughout the year and in the post season. On defense, the Raiders were led by Lester Hayes who arguably had the best season for a cornerback in NFL history – 18 interceptions, 2 TDs in 19 games played. Oakland led the NFL in interceptions (35) and takeaways (52) and 2nd in sacks with 54. Hayes was known for using "stickum" and would have stickum all over his upper body. After the season, the NFL prohibited its use.

The Raiders' Super Bowl win was the first by an NFL wild card team and the second by a non-division champion. The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl IV after finishing second to the Raiders in the AFL West Division during the 1969 season.

Schedule[]

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Game
recap
1 September 7 at Kansas City W 27–14 1–0 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
2 September 14 at San Diego L 24–30 (OT) 1–1 San Diego Stadium Recap
3 September 21 Washington W 24–21 2–1 Oakland Coliseum Recap
4 September 28 at Buffalo L 7–24 2–2 Rich Stadium Recap
5 October 5 Kansas City L 17–31 2–3 Oakland Coliseum Recap
6 October 12 San Diego W 38–24 3–3 Oakland Coliseum Recap
7 October 20 at Pittsburgh W 45–34 4–3 Three Rivers Stadium Recap
8 October 26 Seattle W 33–14 5–3 Oakland Coliseum Recap
9 November 2 Miami W 16–10 6–3 Oakland Coliseum Recap
10 November 9 Cincinnati W 28–17 7–3 Oakland Coliseum Recap
11 November 17 at Seattle W 19–17 8–3 Kingdome Recap
12 November 23 at Philadelphia L 7–10 8–4 Veterans Stadium Recap
13 December 1 Denver W 9–3 9–4 Oakland Coliseum Recap
14 December 7 Dallas L 13–19 9–5 Oakland Coliseum Recap
15 December 14 at Denver W 24–21 10–5 Mile High Stadium Recap
16 December 21 at NY Giants W 33–17 11–5 Giants Stadium Recap

Standings[]

Template:1980 AFC West standings

Game summaries[]

Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs[]

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Week One: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 7 0 14 6 27
Chiefs 7 0 0 7 14

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: September 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 82°F, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,269
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and Gene Washington
  • Box Score
Game information
Oakland
  • Dan Pastorini – 19/37, 317 yards, 2 TD
  • Mark van Eeghen – 16 rush, 54 yards, TD
  • Bob Chandler – 5 receptions, 85 yards, 2 TD
Kansas City
  • Steve Fuller – 16/28, 196 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • Ted McKnight – 14 rush, 77 yards
  • Henry Marshall – 3 receptions, 83 yards

Week 2: San Diego Chargers[]

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Week Two: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 OT Total
Raiders 3 7 7 7 0 24
Chargers 3 7 0 14 6 30

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego

  • Date: September 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 68°F, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 51,943
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
  • Box Score
Game information
Oakland
  • Dan Pastorini – 15/33, 238 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • Kenny King – 13 rush, 70 yards
  • Cliff Branch – 4 receptions, 99 yards, TD
San Diego
  • Dan Fouts 29/44, 387 yards, 3 TD, 5 INT
  • Clarence Williams – 17 rush, 38 yards, TD
  • Kellen Winslow – 9 receptions, 132 yards, TD

Week 3: vs. Washington Redskins[]

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Week Three: Washington Redskins at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Redskins 0 7 7 7 21
Raiders 3 7 7 7 24

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

Game information
Washington
  • Joe Theismann – 19/36, 204 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • Rickey Claitt – 9 rush, 30 yards
  • Rick Walker – 5 receptions, 53 yards, TD
Oakland
  • Dan Pastorini – 17/33, 176 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
  • Kenny King – 25 rush, 136 yards
  • Cliff Branch – 4 receptions, 50 yards

Week 4: at Buffalo Bills[]

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Week Four: Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 0 0 7 0 7
Bills 7 10 0 7 24

at Rich Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: September 28
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 54 F, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 77,259
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and John Brodie
  • Box Score
Game information

Raiders

  • Dan Pastorini – 10/20, 158 yards, 2 INT
  • Mark van Eeghen – 10 rush, 46 yards
  • Bob Chandler – 3 receptions, 87 yards

Bills

  • Joe Ferguson – 17/22, 175 yards, TD, INT
  • Joe Cribbs – 30 rush, 90 yards, TD
  • Jerry Butler – 3 receptions, 49 yards

Week 5: vs. Kansas City Chiefs[]

Week Five: Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Chiefs 14 17 0 0 31
Raiders 0 3 0 14 17

at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 62 F, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 40,153
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph and Gene Washington
  • Box Score
Game information

Chiefs

  • Steve Fuller – 6/11, 65 yards, INT
  • Ted McKnight – 24 rush, 64 yards, TD
  • Henry Marshall – 3 receptions, 42 yards

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 20/52, 238 yards, 2 TD, 5 INT
  • Mark van Eeghen – 10 rush, 24 yards
  • Cliff Branch – 6 receptions, 93 yards, TD

Week 6: vs. San Diego Chargers[]

Week Six: San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Chargers 7 3 7 7 24
Raiders 7 10 7 14 38

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 62 F, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,826
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
  • Box Score
Game information

Chargers

  • Dan Fouts – 23/39, 388 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • Chuck Muncie – 7 rush, 39 yards
  • Charlie Joiner – 8 receptions, 135 yards

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 11/14, 164 yards, TD
  • Kenny King – 12 rush, 138 yards, 2 TD
  • Dave Casper – 3 receptions, 61 yards

Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers[]

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Week Seven: Oakland Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 7 21 7 10 45
Steelers 10 14 10 0 34

at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 20
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 42 F, wind 12 mph
  • Game attendance: 53,940
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, Don Meredith
  • Box Score
Game information

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 13/21, 247 yards, 3 TD
  • Kenny King – 14 rush, 70 yards, TD
  • Cliff Branch – 5 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD

Steelers

  • Terry Bradshaw – 18/27, 299 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • Russell Davis – 9 rush, 51 yards
  • Theo Bell – 5 receptions, 114 yards, TD

Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks[]

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Week Eight: Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Seahawks 0 0 0 14 14
Raiders 3 3 10 17 33

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: October 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 57 F, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 50,185
  • Referee: Cal Lepore
  • TV announcers (NBC): Sam Nover and Bob Trumpy
  • Box Score
Game information

Seahawks

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 16/25, 214 yards, 3 TD
  • Mark van Eeghen – 17 rush, 75 yards
  • Bob Chandler – 5 receptions, 75 yards, 3 TD

Week 9: vs. Miami Dolphins[]

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Week Nine: Miami Dolphins at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Dolphins 0 3 7 0 10
Raiders 6 10 0 0 16

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 58 F, wind 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 46,378
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and John Brodie
  • Box Score
Game information

Dolphins

  • David Woodley – 11/16, 75 yards, 2 INT
  • Terry Robiskie – 11 rush, 28 yards, TD
  • Nat Moore – 4 receptions, 30 yards

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 16/26, 157 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
  • Mark van Eeghen – 16 rush, 78 yards
  • Arthur Whittington – 4 receptions, 52 yards

Week 10: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[]

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Week Ten: Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Bengals 3 7 0 7 17
Raiders 0 14 7 7 28

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 57 F, wind 5 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,132
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • TV announcers (NBC): Bob Costas and Gene Washington
  • Box Score
Game information

Bengals

  • Ken Anderson – 16/29, 174 yards, TD, INT
  • Charles Alexander – 14 rush, 52 yards
  • Dan Ross – 6 receptions, 58 yards, TD

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 19/25, 244 yards, 2 INT
  • Kenny King – 15 rush, 51 yards, TD
  • Cliff Branch – 3 receptions, 63 yards

Week 11: at Seattle Seahawks[]

Week Eleven: Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 0 0 7 12 19
Seahawks 0 7 7 3 17

at The Kingdome, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: November 17
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: indoors
  • Game attendance: 60,480
  • Referee: Fred Silva
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith
  • Box Score
Game information

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 9/22, 135 yards, INT
  • Arthur Whittington – 6 rush, 36 yards, TD
  • Derrick Ramsey – 2 receptions, 76 yards

Seahawks

  • Jim Zorn – 19/35, 250 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • Jim Jodat – 12 rush, 48 yards
  • Steve Largent – 5 receptions, 68 yards

Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles[]

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Week Twelve: Oakland Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 0 0 0 7 7
Eagles 0 0 3 7 10

at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia

  • Date: November 23
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 37 F, wind 5 mph
  • Game attendance: 68,535
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Bob Trumpy
  • Box Score
Game information

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 10/36, 237 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • Mark van Eeghen – 8 rush, 36 yards
  • Cliff Branch – 4 receptions, 125 yards, TD

Eagles

  • Ron Jaworski – 14/32, 181 yards, INT
  • Wilbert Montgomery – 22 rush, 76 yards, TD
  • Leroy Harris – 2 receptions, 70 yards

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos[]

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Week Thirteen: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Broncos 3 0 0 0 3
Raiders 0 0 6 3 9

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: December 1
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 51 F, wind 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 51,583
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith
  • Box Score
Game information

Broncos

  • Craig Morton – 18/35, 134 yards, 4 INT
  • Jim Jensen – 8 rush, 41 yards
  • Rick Upchurch – 4 receptions, 54 yards

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 9/19, 78 yards
  • Kenny King – 16 rush, 87 yards
  • Mark van Eeghen – 3 receptions, 37 yards

Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys[]

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Week Fourteen: Dallas Cowboys at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Cowboys 7 9 3 0 19
Raiders 7 3 3 0 13

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

Game information

Cowboys

  • Danny White – 14/26, 159 yards
  • Tony Dorsett – 25 rush, 97 yards, TD
  • Billy Joe DuPree – 3 receptions, 61 yards

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 16/36, 190 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • Kenny King – 7 rush, 38 yards
  • Bob Chandler – 5 receptions, 80 yards

Dallas cornerback Aaron Mitchell intercepted Jim Plunkett in the end zone with 1:44 remaining to seal the victory.[4]

Week 15: at Denver Broncos[]

Week Fifteen: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 7 10 0 7 24
Broncos 0 7 7 7 21

at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 41 F, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 73,974
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and John Brodie
  • Box Score
Game information

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 13/21, 213 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • Mark van Eeghen – 20 rush, 72 yards
  • Bob Chandler – 3 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TD

Broncos

  • Craig Morton – 18/30, 338 yards, TD, INT
  • Dave Preston – 16 rush, 50 yards, 2 TD
  • Haven Moses – 6 receptions, 141 yards

Week 16: at New York Giants[]

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Week Sixteen: Oakland Raiders at New York Giants – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 10 10 7 6 33
Giants 0 10 0 7 17

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 19 F, wind 16 mph
  • Game attendance: 61,287
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Len Dawson
  • Box Score
Game information

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 12/22, 164 yards, 2 TD
  • Mark van Eeghen – 19 rush, 115 yards
  • Bob Chandler – 6 receptions, 72 yards

Giants

  • Scott Brunner – 17/32, 150 yards, TD, INT
  • Leon Perry – 16 rush, 98 yards
  • Danny Pittman – 4 receptions, 59 yards

The Raiders clinched a wild card spot and a home playoff game with the win over the Giants. Oakland was now 9–2 since Jim Plunkett had taken over as the team's starting quarterback.[5] "I'm not really amazed", Plunkett said. "I felt that this team had a chance to make it into the playoffs. I'm just thankful I had these opportunities to play. I just kept plugging away and I think it turned out OK."[6]

Chris Bahr opened scoring midway through the first quarter with a 41-yard field goal. Ted Hendricks blocked Dave Jennings' punt and Jeff Barnes fell on the ball at the New York 11 on the ensuing possession. Two plays later, Arthur Whittington swept around right end for Oakland's first score.[7]

Three plays into the Giants' next drive, Gary Shirk caught a Scott Brunner pass but fumbled it away. Luckily, the Raiders couldn't capitalize as Bahr's 52-yard field goal attempt was short.[7]

A Joe Danelo field goal put New York on the scoreboard but Plunkett completed passes of 12 and 11 yards to Bob Chandler before finding Cliff Branch caught a pass between Eric Felton and Steve Henry at the Giants' 10 and strode in to give Oakland a 17–3 lead with 6:29 left in the first half. Three plays following the kickoff, Lester Hayes picked off Brunner and returned it 50 yards to the New York 19. The Raiders failed to move and Bahr kicked a 38-yard field goal to increase the lead to 20–3 with 2:55 left.[7]

New York scored their first touchdown on a touchdown pass from Scott Brunner to Leon Perry before halftime but Oakland took control on a 37-yard bomb from Plunkett to Raymond Chester late in the third quarter. Billy Taylor scored in the closing seconds following a pass interference penalty by Hayes in the end zone but an onside kick attempt by Joe Danelo went right to Derrick Jensen, who sprinted into the end zone.[7]

[7][8]

Playoffs[]

Week Opponent Result Game site Notes
Wild Card Houston W 27–7 Oakland Coliseum AFC Wild Card
Divisional at Cleveland W 14–12 Cleveland Stadium AFC Divisional
Conference at San Diego W 34–27 San Diego Stadium AFC Championship
Super Bowl Philadelphia W 27–10 Louisiana Superdome Super Bowl XV

[9]

Game summaries[]

Wild Card[]

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Wild Card: Houston Oilers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Oilers 7 0 0 0 7
Raiders 3 7 0 17 27

at Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: December 28
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 51 F, wind 5 mph
  • Game attendance: 52,762
  • Referee: Chuck Heberling
  • TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones and Len Dawson
  • Box Score
Game information

Oilers

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 8/23, 168 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • Kenny King – 13 rush, 55 yards
  • Arthur Whittington – 2 receptions, 64 yards, TD

Divisional[]

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Divisional Round: Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Brown – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 0 7 0 7 14
Browns 0 6 6 0 12

at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: January 4
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 2 F, wind 21 mph
  • Game attendance: 77,655
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui and John Brodie
  • Box Score
Game information

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 14/30, 149 yards, 2 INT
  • Mark van Eeghen – 20 rush, 45 yards, TD
  • Raymond Chester – 3 receptions, 64 yards

Browns

  • Brian Sipe – 13/40, 183 yards, 3 INT
  • Mike Pruitt – 13 rush, 48 yards
  • Greg Pruitt – 3 receptions, 54 yards

AFC Championship[]

AFC Championship Game: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 21 7 3 3 34
Chargers 7 7 10 3 27

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego

  • Date: January 11
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 67 F, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 52,428
  • Referee: Cal Lepore
  • TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen
  • Box Score
Game information

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 14/18, 261 yards, 2 TD
  • Mark van Eeghen – 20 rush, 85 yards, TD
  • Raymond Chester – 5 receptions, 102 yards, TD

Chargers

  • Dan Fouts – 22/45, 336 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • Mike Thomas – 12 rush, 48 yards
  • Charlie Joiner – 6 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TD

Super Bowl[]

Template:Seealso

Super Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders vs. Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 14 0 10 3 27
Eagles 0 3 0 7 10

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans

Game information

Raiders

  • Jim Plunkett – 13/21, 261 yards, 3 TD
  • Mark van Eeghen – 19 rush, 80 yards
  • Kenny King – 2 receptions, 93 yards, TD

Eagles

  • Ron Jaworski – 18/38, 291 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • Wilbert Montgomery – 16 rush, 44 yards
  • Wilbert Montgomery – 6 receptions, 91 yards

[10]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Raiders fans reliving the Los Angeles nightmare, The Press Democrat, Phil Barber, Dec. 14, 2015.
  2. 1980 NFL Draft at databaseFootball.com.
  3. Raiders coaches – Silver and Black Report.
  4. "Dallas Downs Oakland." The Robesonian (Lumberton, N.C.) December 8, 1980. p. 2B.
  5. "Plunkett in control; Raiders back on top." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 22, 1980
  6. "Raiders Whip Giants to Clinch Playoff Berth." Palm Beach Post. December 22, 1980.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 ^
  8. Pro-Football-Reference.com
  9. 1980 Oakland Raiders season at databaseFootball.com Archived April 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  10. NFL.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.

External links[]

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