1980 NFL season

The 1980 NFL season was the 61st regular season of the National Football League.

1980 National Football League season

Regular season
Duration	September 7 – December 22, 1980
Playoffs
Start date	December 28, 1980
AFC Champions	Oakland Raiders
NFC Champions	Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl XV
Date	January 25, 1981
Site	Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Champions	Oakland Raiders
Pro Bowl
Date	February 1, 1981
Site	Aloha Stadium

Archie Manning attempting a pass for the New Orleans Saints against the L.A. Rams in 1980.

Prior to the season in March 1980, fellow NFL owners voted against the proposed move by the Raiders from Oakland, California to Los Angeles. Raider team owner Al Davis along with the Los Angeles Coliseum sued the NFL charging that they had violated antitrust laws. A verdict in the trial would not be decided until before the 1982 NFL season; however, the planned move to Los Angeles went through that very season.

Meanwhile, the season ended at Super Bowl XV played on January 25, 1981, in New Orleans, Louisiana, with these same Oakland Raiders defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 27–10, making them the first Wild Card team ever to win the Super Bowl.[1]

Oakland Raiders announce future move to Los Angeles in defiance of NFL vote

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.[2]

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.[2]

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.[2]

In May 1982, a jury ruled that the NFL had violated antitrust law by attempting to prevent the move. In April 1983, after the team's first season in Los Angeles, a separate jury awarded the Raiders $35 million in damages.[2]

Draft

The 1980 NFL Draft was held from April 29 to 30, 1980 at New York City's Sheraton Hotel. With the first pick, the Detroit Lions selected running back Billy Sims from the University of Oklahoma.

New referee

The league added a 15th officiating crew, promoting Bob McElwee to referee. The league previously had 15 crews in 1976 (when the league expanded to 28 teams) and 1977. After referee Bernie Ulman retired after the 1977 season, the league used only 14 crews for the 1978 and 1979 seasons, requiring all 14 of them to be on hand for the weekly workload of 14 games.

Major rule changes

• A ten-second runoff will be implemented when a team commits the following actions to conserve time within the last minute of either half or overtime (with the half/game ending automatically if 10 or less seconds remain on the game clock; this was changed to after the two-minute warning in the 2017 NFL season):
  • Fouls by either team that prevents the snap (e.g. false start, encroachment, etc.)
  • Intentional grounding
  • Illegal forward pass thrown from beyond the line of scrimmage
  • Throwing a backward pass out of bounds
  • Spiking or throwing the ball in the field of play after a down has ended, except after a touchdown
  • Any other intentional foul that causes the clock to stop.
  • Any excess time-out taken for injuries by either team.

Teams can take a time-out (if available) to prevent the runoff.[3]

• Players are prohibited from striking, swinging, or clubbing to the head, face, or neck. The personal foul could be called whether or not the initial contact was made below the neck.
• A "Guidelines for Captains" section was added to the rules.

Division Races

From 1978 to 1989, ten teams qualified for the playoffs: the winners of each of the divisions, and two wild-card teams in each conference. These are the leaders for each playoff slot, week by week. Teams listed in Week 16 indicate playoff participants.

National Football Conference

Week	NFC East		NFC Central		NFC West		Wild Card		Wild Card
1	3 teams	1–0	4 teams	1–0	San Francisco	1–0
2	Philadelphia	2–0	Detroit, Tampa Bay	2–0	San Francisco	2–0
3	Philadelphia	3–0	Detroit	3–0	San Francisco	3–0	Dallas, Tampa Bay, Minnesota	2–1
4	Philadelphia, Dallas	3–1	Detroit	4–0	San Francisco	3–1	Philadelphia, Dallas	3–1	4 teams	2–2
5	Philadelphia, Dallas	4–1	Detroit	4–1	San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta	3–2	Philadelphia, Dallas	4–1	San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta	3–2
6	Philadelphia, Dallas	5–1	Detroit	5–1	Los Angeles	4–2	Philadelphia, Dallas	5–1	Minnesota, San Francisco, Atlanta	3–3
7	Philadelphia	6–1	Detroit	5–2	Los Angeles	5–2	Dallas	5–2	Atlanta	4–3
8	Philadelphia	7–1	Detroit	5–3	Los Angeles, Atlanta	5–3	Dallas	6–2	Los Angeles, Atlanta	5–3
9	Philadelphia	8–1	Detroit	6–3	Los Angeles, Atlanta	6–3	Dallas	7–2	Los Angeles, Atlanta	6–3
10	Philadelphia	9–1	Detroit	6–4	Atlanta	7–3	Dallas	7–3	Los Angeles	6–4
11	Philadelphia	10–1	Detroit, Minnesota	6–5	Atlanta	8–3	Dallas	8–3	Los Angeles	7–4
12	Philadelphia	11–1	Detroit	7–5	Atlanta	9–3	Dallas	9–3	Los Angeles	8–4
13	Philadelphia	11–2	Detroit, Minnesota	7–6	Atlanta	10–3	Dallas	10–3	Los Angeles	9–4
14	Philadelphia, Dallas	11–3	Minnesota	8–6	Atlanta	11–3	Philadelphia, Dallas	11–3	Los Angeles	9–5
15	Philadelphia	12–3	Minnesota	9–6	Atlanta	12–3	Dallas	11–4	Los Angeles	10–5
16	Philadelphia	12–4	Minnesota	9–7	Atlanta	12–4	Dallas	12–4	Los Angeles	11–5

American Football Conference

Week	AFC East		AFC Central		AFC West		Wild Card		Wild Card
1	3 teams	1–0	Pittsburgh	1–0	San Diego, Oakland	1–0
2	Buffalo	2–0	Pittsburgh	2–0	San Diego	2–0
3	Buffalo	3–0	Pittsburgh, Houston	2–1	San Diego	3–0	Pittsburgh, Houston, Miami, New England, Oakland	2–1
4	Buffalo	4–0	Pittsburgh, Houston	3–1	San Diego	4–0	Pittsburgh, Houston, Miami, New England	3–1	Baltimore, Cleveland, Oakland, Seattle	2–2
5	Buffalo	5–0	Pittsburgh	4–1	San Diego	4–1	New England	4–1	Miami, Baltimore, Houston, Seattle	3–2
6	Buffalo, New England	5–1	Pittsburgh	4–2	San Diego	4–2	Buffalo, New England	5–1	Baltimore	4–2
7	New England	6–1	Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Houston	4–3	San Diego	5–2	Buffalo	5–2	6 teams	4–3
8	Buffalo, New England	6–2	Cleveland, Houston	5–3	San Diego, Oakland	5–3	Buffalo, New England	6–2	Cleveland, Houston, San Diego, Oakland	5–3
9	New England	7–2	Cleveland, Houston	6–3	San Diego, Oakland	6–3	Buffalo, Cleveland, Houston, San Diego, Oakland	6–3	Baltimore, Pittsburgh	5–4
10	Buffalo, New England	7–3	Cleveland, Houston	7–3	Oakland	7–3	Buffalo, New England, Cleveland, Houston	7–3	Pittsburgh, San Diego	6–4
11	Buffalo	8–3	Houston	8–3	Oakland	8–3	New England, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, San Diego	7–4	Miami, Baltimore, Denver	6–5
12	Buffalo	9–3	Cleveland, Houston	8–4	San Diego, Oakland	8–4	New England, Cleveland, Houston, San Diego, Oakland	8–4	Pittsburgh, Denver	7–5
13	Buffalo	9–4	Cleveland	9–4	San Diego, Oakland	9–4	San Diego, Oakland	9–4	New England, Pittsburgh, Houston	8–5
14	Buffalo	10–4	Cleveland	10–4	San Diego, Oakland	9–5	San Diego, Oakland, Houston	9–5	New England, Pittsburgh	8–6
15	Buffalo	10–5	Cleveland, Houston	10–5	San Diego, Oakland	10–5	Cleveland, Houston, San Diego, Oakland	10–5	New England, Pittsburgh	9–6
16	Buffalo	11–5	Cleveland	11–5	San Diego	11–5	Oakland	11–5	Houston	11–5

Final standings

AFC East W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK Buffalo Bills^(3) 11 5 0 .688 4–4 8–4 320 260 W1 New England Patriots 10 6 0 .625 6–2 9–3 441 325 W2 Miami Dolphins 8 8 0 .500 3–5 4–8 266 305 L1 Baltimore Colts 7 9 0 .438 5–3 6–8 355 387 L3 New York Jets 4 12 0 .250 2–6 3–9 302 395 W1 AFC Central W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK Cleveland Browns^(2) 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 357 310 W1 Houston Oilers^(5) 11 5 0 .688 4–2 7–5 295 251 W3 Pittsburgh Steelers 9 7 0 .563 2–4 5–7 352 313 L1 Cincinnati Bengals 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 244 312 L1 AFC West W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK San Diego Chargers^(1) 11 5 0 .688 6–2 9–3 418 327 W2 Oakland Raiders^(4) 11 5 0 .688 6–2 9–3 364 306 W2 Kansas City Chiefs 8 8 0 .500 4–4 6–8 319 336 W1 Denver Broncos 8 8 0 .500 3–5 5–7 310 323 W1 Seattle Seahawks 4 12 0 .250 1–7 3–9 291 408 L9

NFC East W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK Philadelphia Eagles^(2) 12 4 0 .750 6–2 9–3 384 222 L1 Dallas Cowboys^(4) 12 4 0 .750 6–2 9–3 454 311 W1 Washington Redskins 6 10 0 .375 4–4 5–7 261 293 W3 St. Louis Cardinals 5 11 0 .313 2–6 4–10 299 350 L2 New York Giants 4 12 0 .250 2–6 3–9 249 425 L2 NFC Central W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK Minnesota Vikings^(3) 9 7 0 .563 5–3 8–4 317 308 L1 Detroit Lions 9 7 0 .563 5–3 9–5 334 272 W2 Chicago Bears 7 9 0 .438 5–3 7–5 304 264 W1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5 10 1 .344 1–6–1 4–7–1 271 341 L3 Green Bay Packers 5 10 1 .344 3–4–1 4–7–1 231 371 L4 NFC West W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK Atlanta Falcons^(1) 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 405 272 L1 Los Angeles Rams^(5) 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 424 289 W2 San Francisco 49ers 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 320 415 L2 New Orleans Saints 1 15 0 .063 0–6 0–12 291 487 L1

Tiebreakers

• Cleveland finished ahead of Houston in the AFC Central based on better conference record (8–4 to Oilers’ 7–5).
• San Diego finished ahead of Oakland in the AFC West based on better net points in division games (plus 60 net points to Raiders’ plus 37).
• San Diego was the top AFC playoff seed based on better conference record than Cleveland and Buffalo (9–3 to Browns’ 8–4 and Bills’ 8–4).
• Cleveland was the second AFC playoff seed based on better record against common opponents (5–2 to Bills’ 5–3).
• Oakland was the first AFC Wild Card based on better conference record than Houston (9–3 to Oilers’ 7–5).
• Kansas City finished ahead of Denver in the AFC West based on head-to-head sweep (2–0).
• Philadelphia finished ahead of Dallas in the NFC East based on better net points in division games (plus 84 net points to Cowboys’ plus 50).
• Atlanta was the top NFC playoff seed based on head-to-head victory over Philadelphia (1–0).
• Minnesota finished ahead of Detroit in the NFC Central based on better conference record (8–4 to Lions' 9–5).
• Tampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay in the NFC Central based on better head-to-head record (1–0–1 to Packers' 0–1–1).

Playoffs

Main article: 1980–81 NFL playoffs

NOTE: The San Diego Chargers (the AFC 1 seed) did not play the Oakland Raiders (the 4 seed) in the Divisional playoff round because both teams were in the same division.

						Divisional Playoffs
						Jan. 4 – Cleveland Stadium
	AFC Wild Card Game										AFC Championship
						4	Oakland	14
	Dec. 28 – Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum										Jan. 11 – Jack Murphy Stadium
						2*	Cleveland	12
	5	Houston	7								4	Oakland	34
						Jan. 3 – Jack Murphy Stadium
	4	Oakland	27								1	San Diego	27			Super Bowl XV
						3	Buffalo	14
																Jan. 25 – Louisiana Superdome
						1*	San Diego	20
																A4	Oakland	27
						Jan. 4 – Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium
	NFC Wild Card Game										NFC Championship					N2	Philadelphia	10
						4	Dallas	30
	Dec. 28 – Texas Stadium										Jan. 11 – Veterans Stadium
						1	Atlanta	27
	5	Los Angeles	13								4	Dallas	7
						Jan. 3 – Veterans Stadium
	4	Dallas	34								2	Philadelphia	20
						3	Minnesota	16
						2	Philadelphia	31

Statistical leaders

Team

Points scored	Dallas Cowboys (454)
Total yards gained	San Diego Chargers (6,410)
Yards rushing	Los Angeles Rams (2,799)
Yards passing	San Diego Chargers (4,531)
Fewest points allowed	Philadelphia Eagles (222)
Fewest total yards allowed	Buffalo Bills (4,101)
Fewest rushing yards allowed	Detroit Lions (1,599)
Fewest passing yards allowed	Washington Redskins (2,171)

Awards

Most Valuable Player	Brian Sipe, Quarterback, Cleveland
Coach of the Year	Chuck Knox, Buffalo
Offensive Player of the Year	Earl Campbell, Running back, Houston Oilers
Defensive Player of the Year	Lester Hayes, Cornerback, Oakland
Offensive Rookie of the Year	Billy Sims, Running back, Detroit
Defensive Rookie of the Year	Buddy Curry & Al Richardson, Linebackers, Atlanta
Man of the Year	Harold Carmichael, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia
Comeback Player of the Year	Jim Plunkett, Quarterback, Oakland
Super Bowl Most Valuable Player	Jim Plunkett, Quarterback, Oakland

Coaching changes

Offseason

• Baltimore Colts: Mike McCormack replaced the fired Ted Marchibroda.
• Cincinnati Bengals: Forrest Gregg replaced Homer Rice.
• St. Louis Cardinals: Jim Hanifan became the Cardinals' new head coach. Bud Wilkinson was fired after the team started the 1979 season at 3–10, and the team's personal director Larry Wilson served as interim for the last three games.

In-season

• New Orleans Saints: Dick Nolan was fired after a 0–12 start. Dick Stanfel took over as interim.

Stadium changes

The Los Angeles Rams moved from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to Anaheim Stadium

Uniform changes

• The Cincinnati Bengals switched from gray to black face masks. The Bengals also added TV numbers to the sleeves of their jerseys, becoming the last NFL team to do so.
• The Denver Broncos discontinued wearing orange pants with their white jerseys.
• The Houston Oilers dropped the blue pants worn with their white jerseys for this season only.
• The Los Angeles Rams switched from gray to blue face masks
• The Minnesota Vikings switched from gray to white face masks
• The New York Giants reverted to the narrow stripping patterns used prior to 1975

Footnotes

1. "NFL.com: Super Bowl XV Recap". Retrieved January 16, 2014.
2. Raiders fans reliving the Los Angeles nightmare, The Press Democrat, Phil Barber, Dec. 14, 2015.
3. Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (First ed.). 1997. p. 1585. ISBN 0-06-270170-3.

References

• NFL Record and Fact Book (ISBN 1-932994-36-X)
• NFL History 1971–1980 (Last accessed December 4, 2005)
• Total Football: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League (ISBN 0-06-270174-6)