Template:1980–81 NFL 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.

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