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
|
| AP All-Pros |
9
|
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| 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 | |
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| 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 | |
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.
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.
SD: Glen Edwards 2 INT, Willie Buchanon INT
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