Super Bowl XV
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| Super Bowl XV | |
|---|---|
| Game name | Super Bowl XV |
| Visitor | Oakland Raiders |
| Visitor abbr | OAK |
| Visitor conf | AFC |
| Visitor division | AFC West |
| Visitor record | 11–5 |
| Visitor coach | Tom Flores |
| Visitor qb | Jim Plunkett |
| Home | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Home abbr | PHI |
| Home conf | NFC |
| Home division | NFC East |
| Home record | 12–4 |
| Home coach | Dick Vermeil |
| Home qb | Ron Jaworski |
| Date | January 25, 1981 |
| Stadium | Louisiana Superdome |
| City | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Mvp | Jim Plunkett |
| Favorite | Eagles by 3 |
| Referee | Ben Dreith |
| Attendance | 76,135 |
| Network | NBC |
| Announcers | Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen |
| Halftime | Southern University "Human Jukebox" Marching Band, Helen O'Connell |
| Previous | Super Bowl XIV |
| Next | Super Bowl XVI |
Super Bowl XV was an American football game between the AFC champion Oakland Raiders and the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles to decide the National Football League champion for the 1980 NFL season. Played on January 25, 1981, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Raiders defeated the Eagles by a score of 27–10. Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player, completed passes for three touchdowns.
Background
The 1980 NFL season culminated with two franchises seeking redemption. The Oakland Raiders, under head coach Tom Flores, finished with an 11–5 record, securing a wild card berth. They became the first wild card team to win a Super Bowl, defeating the Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, and Houston Oilers in the AFC playoffs. Their opponent, the Philadelphia Eagles, led by head coach Dick Vermeil, posted a 12–4 record, winning the NFC East. The Eagles' playoff run included victories over the Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game. The game was a rematch of a regular-season contest won by the Eagles in Veterans Stadium.
Pre-game events
Pre-game festivities were centered in New Orleans, a city hosting its fifth Super Bowl. The national anthem was performed by singer and actress Helen O'Connell. A significant storyline involved Raiders linebacker Rod Martin, who had been cut by the Eagles earlier in his career. Security was heightened following the Iran hostage crisis, which had concluded just days before the game, with the United States Secret Service playing a prominent role. The Eagles entered the game as a three-point favorite, according to Las Vegas sportsbooks.
Broadcasting
The game was televised in the United States by NBC, with the broadcast team of Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen in the booth. It was the first Super Bowl to be broadcast on a tape delay in Hawaii due to time zone differences. The network's coverage included features on Jim Plunkett's comeback story and the contrasting styles of coaches Tom Flores and Dick Vermeil. The broadcast reached an estimated audience of over 100 million viewers across North America.
Game summary
The Raiders dominated from the outset. On their third play from scrimmage, Jim Plunkett connected with wide receiver Kenny King for an 80-yard touchdown pass, then a Super Bowl record. Raiders linebacker Rod Martin intercepted Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski three times, setting a Super Bowl record. Plunkett added touchdown passes to Cliff Branch and Bob Chandler. The Eagles' only touchdown came on a Ron Jaworski pass to tight end Keith Krepfle. The Raiders' defense, featuring stars like Ted Hendricks and Lester Hayes, stifled the Eagles' offense, which was led by running back Wilbert Montgomery.
Aftermath
The victory gave the Oakland Raiders their second Super Bowl championship, following their win in Super Bowl XI. Coach Tom Flores became the first Hispanic head coach to win a Super Bowl. For the Philadelphia Eagles, the loss marked the end of a successful era under Dick Vermeil, who would leave coaching after the following season. The game solidified Jim Plunkett's legacy as a comeback player, earning him the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award. The Raiders' success as a wild card team changed perceptions about playoff viability and influenced future playoff seeding discussions.
Records and milestones
Super Bowl XV set several records. Raiders linebacker Rod Martin's three interceptions remain a single-game Super Bowl record. The 80-yard touchdown pass from Jim Plunkett to Kenny King was the longest play from scrimmage in Super Bowl history at the time. The Raiders became the first wild card team to win the championship. Jim Plunkett joined Roger Staubach as the only Heisman Trophy winners to be named Super Bowl MVP. The game also marked the first Super Bowl where neither team committed a fumble.