1980 San Diego Chargers season

1980 San Diego Chargers season
Head coach	Don Coryell (3rd season)
General manager	Johnny Sanders (Since 1976)
Owner	Gene Klein (Since 1966)
Home field	Jack Murphy Stadium
Results
Record	11–5
Division place	1st AFC West
Playoff finish	Won Divisional Playoffs (Bills) (20–14) Lost Conference Playoffs (Raiders) (27–34)
Pro Bowlers	8^[1] QB Dan Fouts TE Kellen Winslow WR John Jefferson WR Charlie Joiner G Doug Wilkerson DE Fred Dean DT Gary Johnson DT Louie Kelcher
AP All-Pros	9^[2] QB Dan Fouts TE Kellen Winslow WR John Jefferson WR Charlie Joiner G Doug Wilkerson LB Woodrow Lowe DE Fred Dean DT Gary Johnson DT Louie Kelcher

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.

Dan Fouts broke his own record with over 4,500 yards passing, with 30 TD's. The Chargers finished #1 in total offense #2 in scoring. The defensive unit finished #6, leading the NFL with 60 QB sacks. The Chargers finished 11-5, winning the tiebreaker with the Oakland Raiders for the AFC West crown.

To help bolster a sagging running game,Running back Chuck Muncie was traded from the New Orleans Saints mid-season.^[3]

The Chargers Achilles heel that season was turnovers which they led the league in giveaways. In the divisional playoff a 50-yard TD pass from Fouts to Ron Smith in the final 3 minutes of the game lifted the Chargers. In the AFC Championship Game big plays and turnovers got the Chargers down, 28 to 7. The Chargers comeback fell short as the Raiders hung on to win 34 to 27, with Oakland running out the final 7 minutes of the 4th quarter.

1980 NFL Draft

Main article: 1980 NFL Draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1980 San Diego Chargers draft
4	101	Ed Luther	Quarterback	San Jose State
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Regular season

Schedule

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

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

Week 2

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Raiders	3	7	7	7	0	24
Chargers	3	7	0	14	6	30

Week 3

	1	2	3	4	Total
• Chargers	3	24	3	0	30
Broncos	3	3	7	0	13

Date: September 21
Location: Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
Game start: 2:00 p.m.
Game weather: 66°F, wind 9 mph

Scoring summary

1	SD	Rolf Benirschke 53 yard field goal	Chargers 3–0

1	DEN	Fred Steinfort 51 yard field goal	Tie 3–3

2	SD	John Cappelletti 1 yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick)	Chargers 10–3

2	DEN	Fred Steinfort 46 yard field goal	Chargers 10–6

2	SD	Charlie Joiner 22 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick)	Chargers 17–6

2	SD	Glen Edwards 68 yard interception return (Rolf Benirschke kick)	Chargers 24–6

2	SD	Rolf Benirschke 32 yard field goal	Chargers 27–6

3	SD	Rolf Benirschke 42 yard field goal	Chargers 30–6

3	DEN	Haven Moses 15 yard pass from Craig Morton (Fred Steinfort kick)	Chargers 30–13

^[4]

Week 6

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: NBC
Box Score

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	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

Week 7

	1	2	3	4	Total
Giants	0	0	7	0	7
• Chargers	0	21	7	16	44

Date: October 19
Location: Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego, California
Game start: 1:00 p.m. PST
Game weather: 67°F, wind 9 mph
Referee: Fred Wyant
TV announcers (CBS): Lindsey Nelson & Hank Stram

Scoring summary

2	SD	John Cappelletti 1 yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick)	Chargers 7–0

2	SD	John Jefferson 39 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick)	Chargers 14–0

2	SD	Charlie Joiner 11 yard pass from Dan Fouts (Rolf Benirschke kick)	Chargers 21–0

3	NYG	Billy Taylor 1 yard run (Joe Danelo kick)	Chargers 21–7

3	SD	John Cappelletti 1 yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick)	Chargers 28–7

4	SD	John Floyd 31 yard pass from Dan Fouts (kick failed)	Chargers 34–7

4	SD	Rolf Benirschke 50 yard field goal	Chargers 37–7

4	SD	Chuck Muncie 5 yard run (Rolf Benirschke kick)	Chargers 44–7

^[5]

Divisional playoffs

January 3, 1981

AFC: San Diego Chargers 20, Buffalo Bills 14

Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bills	0	14	0	0	14
Chargers	3	0	7	10	20

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego

Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C), sunny
Game attendance: 52,253
Referee: Gene Barth
TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen

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

January 11, 1981

AFC Championship: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27

Game summary

	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	21	7	3	3	34
Chargers	7	7	10	3	27

at Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego

Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), mostly cloudy
Game attendance: 52,675
Referee: Cal Lepore
TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen

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

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

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

Roster

1980 San Diego Chargers Team Starters
Rookies in italics

Offense

14   Dan Fouts          QB
40   Clarence Williams  RB
25   John Cappelletti   FB
83   John Jefferson     WR
18   Charlie Joiner     WR
80   Kellen Winslow     TE

66   Billy Shields      LT
63   Doug Wilkerson     LG
62   Don Macek         C
67   Ed White           RG
60   Dan Audick         RT

Defense

68   Leroy Jones       LDE
74   Louie Kelcher     LDT
79   Gary Johnson      RDT
71   Fred Dean         RDE

52   Ray Preston       LB
55   Bob Horn          LB
51   Woodrow Lowe      LB

28   Willie Buchanon   LCB
29   Mike Williams     RCB
44   Pete Shaw         SS
27   Glen Edwards      FS

Kicking Team

6   Rolf Benirschke    K
17  Rick Partridge     P
42  Mike Fuller        PR
46  Chuck Muncie       KR

Awards and records

John Jefferson, NFL Leader in Receiving Yards, (1,340)
Kellen Winslow, Second in NFL in Receiving Yards, (1,290)

Milestones

The San Diego Chargers became the first team in NFL history to have three of its receivers with over 1,000 receiving yards.

References

↑ "1980 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
↑ "1980 NFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
↑ Williamson, Bill (May 14, 2013). "Chuck Muncie was a memorable Charger". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2013.
↑ Pro-Football-Reference.com
↑ Pro-Football-Reference.com

External links

1980 San Diego Chargers at pro-football-reference.com

San Diego Chargers

Founded in 1960 Played inaugural season in Los Angeles Based and headquartered in San Diego, California

Franchise	Franchise History Seasons Retired numbers Chargers Hall of Fame Anniversary teams 40th 50th First-round draft picks Starting quarterbacks Players Coaches

Stadiums	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Balboa Stadium Qualcomm Stadium Future proposals City of Champions Stadium

Culture	Fearsome Foursome Air Coryell "San Diego Super Chargers" Bruise Brothers Marty Ball San Diego Sports Curse San Diego Charger Girls

Rivalries	Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Oakland Raiders

Lore	Holy Roller Epic in Miami Freezer Bowl

Division championships (15)	1960 1961 1963 1964 1965 1979 1980 1981 1992 1994 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009

Conference championships (1)	1994

League championships (1)	1963

Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: West Division

Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)

Seasons (56)	1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Championship seasons in bold

Los Angeles / San Diego Chargers seasons

Los Angeles 1960 San Diego 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Bold indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl victory Italics indicates AFL Championship or Super Bowl appearance

1980 NFL season

East	Central	West	East	Central	West
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

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