1980 San Diego Chargers season

The  San Diego Chargers season was the franchise's 11th season in the National Football League (NFL), and its 21st overall.  the team failed to improve on their 12–4 record in 1979 and finished 11-5. 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 touchdowns. 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.

The Chargers Achilles heel that season was turnovers which they led the league in giveaways. In the Divisional Round against Buffalo, a 50-yard touchdown pass from Fouts to Ron Smith in the final 3 minutes of the game lifted the Chargers to a 20-14 win. 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 34-27, with Oakland running out the final 7 minutes of the 4th quarter.

1980 NFL Draft

Roster

Regular season

Schedule

Playoffs

Game summaries

Week 2

SD: Glen Edwards 2 INT, Willie Buchanon INT

Week 3

Week 6

Week 7

Divisional playoffs

January 3, 1981

AFC: San Diego Chargers 20, Buffalo Bills 14

Conference championships

January 11, 1981

AFC Championship: Oakland Raiders 34, San Diego Chargers 27

Standings

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

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

San Diego Chargers
Category:San Diego Chargers seasons
Category:AFC West championship seasons
San Diego Chargers f