The 1980 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 12–4 record in 1979. They won their first playoff game in 17 years. The season ended with loss to the Raiders in the playoffs.
Running back Chuck Muncie was traded from the New Orleans Saints mid-season.[1]
Offseason[edit]
NFL Draft[edit]
Regular season[edit]
Schedule[edit]
| Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| 1 |
September 7, 1980 |
at Seattle Seahawks |
W 34-13 |
62,042
|
| 2 |
September 14, 1980 |
Oakland Raiders |
W 30-24 |
51,943
|
| 3 |
September 21, 1980 |
at Denver Broncos |
W 30-13 |
74,970
|
| 4 |
September 28, 1980 |
at Kansas City Chiefs |
W 24-7 |
45,161
|
| 5 |
October 5, 1980 |
Buffalo Bills |
L 26-24 |
51,982
|
| 6 |
October 12, 1980 |
at Oakland Raiders |
L 38-24 |
44,826
|
| 7 |
October 19, 1980 |
New York Giants |
W 44-7 |
50,397
|
| 8 |
October 26, 1980 |
at Dallas Cowboys |
L 42-31 |
60,639
|
| 9 |
November 2, 1980 |
at Cincinnati Bengals |
W 31-14 |
46,406
|
| 10 |
November 9, 1980 |
Denver Broncos |
L 20-13 |
51,435
|
| 11 |
November 16, 1980 |
Kansas City Chiefs |
W 20-7 |
50,248
|
| 12 |
November 20, 1980 |
at Miami Dolphins |
W 27-24 |
63,013
|
| 13 |
November 30, 1980 |
Philadelphia Eagles |
W 22-21 |
51,567
|
| 14 |
December 7, 1980 |
at Washington Redskins |
L 40-17 |
48,556
|
| 15 |
December 13, 1980 |
Seattle Seahawks |
W 21-14 |
49,980
|
| 16 |
December 22, 1980 |
Pittsburgh Steelers |
W 26-17 |
51,785
|
Playoffs[edit]
| Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Result |
Attendance |
| Divisional |
January 3, 1981 |
Buffalo Bills |
W 20-14 |
52,028
|
| Conference Championship |
January 11, 1981 |
Oakland Raiders |
L 34-27 |
52,428
|
Game summaries[edit]
Week 2: Oakland Raiders[edit]
SD: Glen Edwards 2 INT, Willie Buchanon INT
| Scoring summary |
| Quarter |
Time |
Drive |
Team |
Scoring information |
Score |
| Plays |
Yards |
TOP |
Raiders |
Chargers |
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
Chargers |
52-yard field goal by Rolf Benirschke |
0 |
3 |
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
Raiders |
35-yard field goal by Chris Bahr |
3 |
3 |
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
Chargers |
John Jefferson 4-yard touchdown reception from Dan Fouts, Rolf Benirschke kick good |
3 |
10 |
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
Raiders |
Cliff Branch 48-yard touchdown reception from Dan Pastorini, Chris Bahr kick good |
10 |
10 |
| 3 |
|
|
|
|
Raiders |
Willie Jones 11-yard fumble return, Chris Bahr kick good |
17 |
10 |
| 4 |
|
|
|
|
Chargers |
Kellen Winslow 25-yard touchdown reception from Dan Fouts, Rolf Benirschke kick good |
17 |
17 |
| 4 |
|
|
|
|
Chargers |
Clarence Williams 4-yard touchdown run, Rolf Benirschke kick good |
17 |
24 |
| 4 |
|
|
|
|
Raiders |
Raymond Chester 18-yard touchdown reception from Jim Plunkett, Chris Bahr kick good |
24 |
24 |
| OT |
|
|
|
|
Chargers |
John Jefferson 24-yard touchdown reception from Dan Fouts, kick not attempted |
24 |
30 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. |
24 |
30 |
|
Week 6: at Oakland Raiders[edit]
| Scoring summary |
| Quarter |
Time |
Drive |
Team |
Scoring information |
Score |
| Plays |
Yards |
TOP |
Chargers |
Raiders |
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
Raiders |
Kenny King 31-yard touchdown run, Chris Bahr kick good |
0 |
7 |
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
Chargers |
John Cappelletti 5-yard touchdown run, Rolf Benirschke kick good |
7 |
7 |
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
Raiders |
42-yard field goal by Chris Bahr |
7 |
10 |
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
Chargers |
25-yard field goal by Rolf Benirschke |
10 |
10 |
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
Raiders |
Cliff Branch 43-yard touchdown reception from Jim Plunkett, Chris Bahr kick good |
10 |
17 |
| 3 |
|
|
|
|
Raiders |
Mark van Eeghen 3-yard touchdown run, Chris Bahr kick good |
10 |
24 |
| 3 |
|
|
|
|
Chargers |
John Jefferson 25-yard touchdown reception from Dan Fouts, Rolf Benirschke kick good |
17 |
24 |
| 4 |
|
|
|
|
Chargers |
Dan Fouts 1-yard touchdown run, Rolf Benirschke kick good |
24 |
24 |
| 4 |
|
|
|
|
Raiders |
Kenny King 89-yard touchdown run, Chris Bahr kick good |
24 |
31 |
| 4 |
|
|
|
|
Raiders |
Fumble recovered in end zone by Todd Christensen for touchdown, Chris Bahr kick good |
24 |
38 |
| "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. |
24 |
38 |
|
Divisional playoffs[edit]
January 3, 1981[edit]
AFC: San Diego Chargers 20, Buffalo Bills 14[edit]
| Game information |
- Scoring
- SD - field goal Benirschke 22 SD 3-0
- BUF - Leaks 1 run (Mike-Mayer kick) BUF 3-7
- BUF - Lewis 9 pass from Ferguson (Mike-Mayer kick) BUF 3-14
- SD - Joiner 9 pass from Fouts (Benirschke kick) BUF 10-14
- SD - field goal Benirschke 22 BUF 13-14
- SD - Smith 50 pass from Fouts (Benirschke kick) SD 20-14
|
|
Conference championships[edit]
January 11, 1981[edit]
AFC Championship: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27[edit]
| Game information |
- Scoring
- OAK - Chester 65 pass from Plunkett (Bahr kick) OAK 7-0
- SD - Joiner 48 pass from Fouts (Benirschke kick) 7-7
- OAK - Plunkett 5 run (Bahr kick) OAK 14-7
- OAK - King 21 pass from Plunkett (Bahr kick) OAK 21-7
- OAK - van Eeghen 3 run (Bahr kick) OAK 28-7
- SD - Joiner 8 pass from Fouts (Benirschke kick) OAK 28-14
- SD - field goal Benirschke 26 OAK 28-17
- SD - Muncie 6 run (Benirschke kick) OAK 28-24
- OAK - field goal Bahr 27 OAK 31-24
- OAK - field goal Bahr 33 OAK 34-24
- SD - field goal Benirschke 27 OAK 34-27
|
|
Standings[edit]
[2]
Awards and records[edit]
- John Jefferson, NFL Leader in Receiving Yards, (1,340)
- Kellen Winslow, Second in NFL in Receiving Yards, (1,290)
Milestones[edit]
References[edit]
External links[edit]
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| Division Championships (14) |
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| Super Bowl appearances (1) |
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| League Championships (1) |
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| Current league affiliations |
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