American Football Database
Register
Advertisement
1980 Oakland Raiders season
Head Coach Tom Flores
Home Field Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Results
Record 11–5
Place 2nd AFC West
Playoff Finish Won Wild Card
Won Divisional Playoff
Won AFC Championship
Won Super Bowl XV
Timeline
Previous season Next season
1979 1981

The 1980 Oakland Raiders season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record from 1979. The 1980 season is the 20th anniversary of the Oakland Raiders franchise and the season where they win their second Super Bowl.

Offseason[]

1980 Raiders Draft Selections[1]
Round Overall Player Position College
1 15 Marc Wilson QB Brigham Young
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[]

Depth chart[]

Defensive Starters
[2]


FS
Burgess Owens


WLB ILB ILB SLB
Rod Martin Randy McClanahan Matt Millen Ted Hendricks
Jeff Barnes Bob Nelson
SS
Mike Davis
CB
Lester Hayes


DE NT DE
Dave Browning Reggie Kinlaw John Matuszak
CB
Monte Jackson
Dwayne O'Steen
Offensive Starters
[3]
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[]

HC: 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)

[4]

Regular season[]

Five weeks into the Raiders season, starting QB Dan Pastorini broke his leg in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. 33-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 stickem all over his upper body. After the season, the NFL prohibited its use.[citation needed]

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 Opponent Result Game site
1 at Kansas City Chiefs W 27-14 Arrowhead Stadium
2 at San Diego Chargers L 24-30 OT San Diego Stadium
3 Washington Redskins W 24-21 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
4 at Buffalo Bills L 7-24 Rich Stadium
5 Kansas City Chiefs L 17-31 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
6 San Diego Chargers W 38-24 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
7 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 45-34 Three Rivers Stadium
8 Seattle Seahawks W 33-14 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
9 Miami Dolphins W 16-10 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
10 Cincinnati Bengals W 28-17 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
11 at Seattle Seahawks W 19-17 The Kingdome
12 at Philadelphia Eagles L 7-10 Veterans Stadium
13 Denver Broncos W 9-3 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
14 Dallas Cowboys L 13-19 Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
15 at Denver Broncos W 24-21 Mile High Stadium
16 at New York Giants W 33-17 Giants Stadium

Standings[]

AFC West
view · talk · edit W L T PCT PF PA
San Diego Chargers 11 5 0 .688 418 327
Oakland Raiders 11 5 0 .688 364 306
Kansas City Chiefs 8 8 0 .500 319 336
Denver Broncos 8 8 0 .500 310 323
Seattle Seahawks 4 12 0 .250 291 408

[5]

Game summaries[]

Week 1: at Kansas City Chiefs[]

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: Sunday, September 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 82°F, wind 10 mph
  • Game attendance: 54,269
  • Referee: Pat Haggerty
  • Box Score

Week 2: San Diego Chargers[]

Week Two: Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Raiders 3 7 7 7

24

Chargers 3 7 0 14

30

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

  • Date: Sunday, September 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 68°F, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 51,943
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • Box Score

Week 3: vs. Washington Redskins[]

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

  • Date: Sunday, September 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 62 F, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 45,163
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • Box Score

Week 4: at Buffalo Bills[]

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: Sunday, September 28
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 54 F, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 77,259
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • Box Score

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: Sunday, October 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 62 F, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 40,153
  • Referee: Red Cashion
  • Box Score

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: Sunday, October 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 62 F, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,826
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • Box Score

Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers[]

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, PA

Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks[]

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, CA

  • Date: Sunday, October 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 57 F, wind 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 50,185
  • Referee: Cal Lepore
  • Box Score

Week 9: vs. Miami Dolphins[]

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, CA

  • Date: Sunday, November 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 58 F, wind 6 mph
  • Game attendance: 46,378
  • Referee: Bob McElwee
  • Box Score

Week 10: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[]

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: Sunday, November 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 57 F, wind 5 mph
  • Game attendance: 44,132
  • Referee: Gene Barth
  • Box Score

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

Week 12: at Philadelphia Eagles[]

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, Pennsylvania

  • Date: Sunday, November 23
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 37 F, wind 5 mph
  • Game attendance: 68,535
  • Referee: Jim Tunney
  • Box Score

Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos[]

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

Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys[]

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

  • Date: Sunday, December 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 48 F, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 53,194
  • Referee: Jerry Markbreit
  • Box Score

Dallas cornerback Aaron Mitchell intercepted Jim Plunkett in the end zone with 1:44 remaining to seal the victory.[6]

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: Sunday, December 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 41 F, wind 9 mph
  • Game attendance: 73,974
  • Referee: Dick Jorgensen
  • Box Score

Week 16: at New York Giants[]

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: Sunday, December 21
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m.
  • Game weather: 19 F, wind 16 mph
  • Game attendance: 61,287
  • Referee: Jerry Seeman
  • Box Score

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.[7] "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."[8]

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.[9]

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.[10]

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 2:52 left.[11]

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.[12]

[13][14]

Playoffs[]

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

[15]

Game summaries[]

Wild Card[]

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-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

  • Date: Sunday, December 28
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 51 F, wind 5 mph
  • Game attendance: 52,762
  • Referee: Chuck Heberling
  • Box Score

Divisional[]

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: Sunday, January 4
  • Game time: 12:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 2 F, wind 21 mph
  • Game attendance: 77,655
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • Box Score

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, California

  • Date: Sunday, January 11
  • Game time: 2:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: 67 F, wind 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 52,428
  • Referee: Cal Lepore
  • Box Score

Super Bowl[]

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, Louisiana

  • Date: Sunday, January 25
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: indoors
  • Game attendance: 76,135
  • Referee: Ben Dreith
  • Box Score

[16]

References[]

  1. 1980 NFL Draft "at databaseFootball.com". http://databasefootball.com/draft/draftyear.htm?yr=1980&lg=nfl 1980 NFL Draft.
  2. Raiders coaches - Silver and Black Report [1]
  3. (PDF) 2010 NFL Record and Fact Book. National Football League. p. 385. http://www.nfl.info/download/2010%20NFL%20Record%20and%20Fact%20Book.pdf. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
  4. "Dallas Downs Oakland." The Robesonian. December 8, 1980.
  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. ^
  8. ^
  9. ^
  10. ^
  11. ^
  12. Pro-Football-Reference.com
  13. 1980 Oakland Raiders season at databaseFootball.com
  14. NFL.com. Retrieved November 20, 2011.

External links[]

See also[]

Preceded by
Pittsburgh Steelers
1979
Super Bowl champion
1980
Succeeded by
San Francisco 49ers
1981
AFC East Central West East Central West NFC
Baltimore Cincinnati Denver Dallas Chicago Atlanta
Buffalo Cleveland Kansas City NY Giants Detroit Los Angeles
Miami Houston Oakland Philadelphia Green Bay New Orleans
New England Pittsburgh San Diego St. Louis Minnesota San Francisco
NY Jets Seattle Washington Tampa Bay
1980 NFL DraftNFL PlayoffsPro BowlSuper Bowl XV
Advertisement