November 12, 2024 • 9 mins
Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl 15, a game that marked a significant moment in NFL history and solidified the Oakland Raiders' place as one of the league's most iconic franchises. This matchup between the Oakland Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles took place on January 25, 1981, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. As we delve into the details of this historic game, we'll explore the lead-up, the key players, the dramatic moments, and the lasting impact of what would become the Raiders' second Super Bowl victory. The 1980 NFL season was a year of redemption and triumph for both the Oakland Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders, led by head coach Tom Flores, had overcome significant adversity to reach the Super Bowl. They finished the regular season with an 11-5 record, earning a wild card spot in the playoffs. Their journey to the Super Bowl was marked by three road victories, including a memorable win over the Cleveland Browns in freezing temperatures, earning them the moniker "Road Warriors. “At the helm of the Raiders' offense was quarterback Jim Plunkett, whose career resurrection was one of the most compelling storylines of the season. Plunkett, a former Heisman Trophy winner and first overall draft pick, had been considered a bust after disappointing stints with the New England Patriots and San Francisco Forty Niners. He began the 1980 season as the Raiders' backup but was thrust into the starting role after an injury to starter Dan Pastorini. Plunkett seized the opportunity, leading the Raiders to nine wins in eleven starts and through their improbable playoff run. Plunkett’s primary targets were wide receivers Cliff Branch and Bob Chandler, along with tight end Raymond Chester. The Raiders' running game was anchored by Mark van Eeghen and Kenny King, providing a balanced attack that kept defenses off-balance. On defense, the Raiders boasted a unit known for its toughness and intimidation. The defensive line was led by John Matuszak and Lyle Alzaydo, while the secondary featured the hard-hitting Jack Tatum and Lester Hayes, who had an incredible 13 interceptions during the regular season. The Philadelphia Eagles, meanwhile, were making their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Led by head coach Dick Vermeil, the Eagles had been building towards this moment for several years. They finished the regular season with a 12 and 4 record, winning the NFC East division. The Eagles' offense was led by quarterback Ron Jaworski, nicknamed "The Polish Rifle" for his strong arm. Jaworski's favorite targets were wide receivers Harold Carmichael and Charlie Smith. The running game was spearheaded by Wilbert Montgomery, who had rushed for over 1,000 yards during the regular season. On defense, the Eagles boasted one of the best units in the league. They were led by nose tackle Charlie Johnson, linebacker Bill Bergey, and a secondary featuring Herman Edwards and Roynell Young. This unit had allowed the fewest points in the NFL during the regular season. As game day approached, there was a sense of anticipation and excitement. The Raiders were slight favorites, but many expected a close, competitive game between two teams that had overcome significant challenges to reach the Super Bowl. The game began with both teams feeling each other out. The Raiders received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt after a quick three-and-out. The Eagles' first possession showed promise, with Jaworski completing a couple of passes to move the chains. However, the drive stalled, and Philadelphia was forced to punt as well. The first score of the game came midway through the first quarter, and it set the tone for what was to come. Jim Plunkett dropped back to pass and found Kenny King on a short route. King turned upfield and, thanks to excellent blocking and his own speed, raced 80 yards for a touchdown. This play not only gave the Raiders a 7 zero lead but also set a then-Super Bowl record for the longest touchdown pass. The Eagles, stunned by this sudden turn of events, tried to respond quickly. However, their next drive ended in disaster when Jaworski's pass was intercepted by linebacker Rod Martin. This was the first of Martin's three interceptions on the day, tying a Super Bowl record that still stands. The Raiders capitalized on this turnover, with Plunkett leading another scoring drive. This time, he connected with Cliff Branch for a 29-yard touchdown pass, extending Oakland's lead to 14 to zero early in the second quarter. The Eagles finally managed to get on the scoreboard with a 30-yard field goal by Tony Franklin, but their struggles continued. Another Jaworski interception, again by Rod Martin, set up a 46-yard field goal by Chris Bahr, giving the Raiders a 17 to 3 lead at halftime. As the teams headed to the locker rooms, the Eagles were facing a significant deficit and a crisis of confidence. Their vaunted defense had been unable to contain Plunkett and the Raiders' off
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl fifteen, a game
that marked a significant moment in NFL history and solidified
the Oakland Raiders place as one of the league's most
iconic franchises. This matchup between the Oakland Raiders and the
Philadelphia Eagles took place on January twenty fifth, nineteen eighty one,
at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. As we
(00:24):
delve into the details of this historic game, we'll explore
the lead up, the key players, the dramatic moments, and
the lasting impact of what would become the Raiders' second
Super Bowl victory. The nineteen eighty NFL season was a
year of redemption and triumph for both the Oakland Raiders
and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders, led by head coach
(00:45):
Tom Flores, had overcome significant adversity to reach the Super Bowl.
They finished the regular season with an eleven to five record,
earning a wild card spot in the playoffs. Their journey
to the Super Bowl was marked by three road victories,
including a memorable win over the Cleveland Browns and freezing
temperatures earning them the Moniker Road Warriors. At the helm
(01:05):
of the Raiders offense was quarterback Jim Plunkett, whose career
resurrection was one of the most compelling storylines of the season. Plunkett,
a former Heisman Trophy winner and first overall draft pick,
had been considered a bust after disappointing stints with the
New England Patriots in San Francisco forty nine ers. He
began the nineteen eighty season as the Raiders backup, but
(01:28):
was thrust into the starting role after an injury to
starter Dan Pasterini. Plunkett seized the opportunity, leading the Raiders
to nine wins and eleven starts and through their improbable
playoff run. Plunkett's primary targets were wide receivers Cliff Branch
and Bob Chandler, along with tight end Raymond Chester. The
Raiders running game was anchored by Mark Van Egan and
(01:49):
Kenny King, providing a balanced attack that kept defenses off balance.
On defense, the Raiders boasted a unit known for its
toughness and intimidation. The defensive, this line was led by
John Matusak and Lyle Alzado, while the secondary featured the
hard hitting Jack Tatum and Lester Hayes, who had an
incredible thirteen interceptions during the regular season. The Philadelphia Eagles, meanwhile,
(02:13):
were making their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
Led by head coach Dick Vermail, the Eagles had been
building towards this moment for several years. They finished the
regular season with a twelve and four record, winning the
NFC East Division. The Eagles offense was led by quarterback
Ron Jaworski, nicknamed the Polish Rifle for his strong arm.
Jaworski's favorite targets were wide receivers Harold Carmichael and Charlie Smith.
(02:37):
The running game was spearheaded by Wilbert Montgomery, who had
rushed for over one thousand yards during the regular season.
On defense, the Eagles boasted one of the best units
in the league. They were led by nose tackle Charlie Johnson,
linebacker Bill Burgee, and a secondary featuring Herman Edwards and
Roynell Young. This unit had allowed the fewest points in
(02:59):
the NFL during the regular season. As game day approached,
there was a sense of anticipation and excitement. The game
began with both teams feeling each other out. The Raiders
received the opening kickoff, but were forced to punt after
a quick three and out. The Eagles first possession showed promise,
with Jaworski completing a couple of passes to move the chains. However,
the drive stalled and Philadelphia was forced to punt as well.
(03:23):
The first score of the game came midway through the
first quarter, and it set the tone for what was
to come. Jim Plunkett dropped back to pass and found
Kenny King on a short route. King turned upfield and
thanks to excellent blocking and his own speed, raced eighty
yards for a touchdown. This play not only gave the
Raiders a seven to zero lead, but also set a
then Super Bowl record for the longest touchdown pass. The Eagles,
(03:47):
stunned by this sudden turn of events, tried to respond quickly. However,
their next drive ended in disaster when Jaworski's pass was
intercepted by linebacker Rod Martin. This was the first of
Martin's three interceptions on the day, tying a Super Bowl
record that still stands. The Raiders capitalized on this turnover,
with Plunkett leading another scoring drive. This time he connected
(04:09):
with Cliff Branch for a twenty nine yard touchdown pass.
The Eagles finally managed to get on the scoreboard with
a thirty yard field goal by Tony Franklin, but their
struggles continued. Another Jaworski interception, again by Rod Martin, set
up a forty six yard field goal by Chris Barr,
giving the Raiders a seventeen to three lead at halftime.
(04:31):
As the teams headed to the locker rooms, the Eagles
were facing a significant deficit and a crisis of confidence.
Their vaunted defense had been unable to contain Plunkett and
the Raiders offense, while their own offense had been stymied
by turnovers and the raiders aggressive defense. The third quarter
saw the Raiders continue to dominate. Plunkett led another impressive drive,
(04:52):
mixing short passes with runs from Van Eagan and King.
The drive culminated in a thirteen yard touchdown pass from
Plunkett to Cliff Brands, pushing the Raiders lead to twenty
four to three. The Eagles, desperate to get back into
the game, finally managed to put together a touchdown drive.
Jaworski connected with tight end Keith Krepfel for an eight
(05:14):
yard score, cutting the Raiders' lead to twenty four to ten. However,
any hope of a comeback was quickly extinguished when Plunkett
led yet another scoring drive, this time ending with a
four yard touchdown pass to Raymond Chester. As the fourth
quarter began, the outcome of the game was no longer
in doubt. The final score was Oakland Raiders twenty seven,
Philadelphia Eagles ten. Jim Plunkett was named the game's Most
(05:37):
Valuable Player. He completed thirteen of twenty one passes for
two hundred and sixty one yards and three touchdowns with
no interceptions. His journey from draft bus to Super Bowl
MVP was complete, cementing his place in NFL lore. For
the Raiders, this victory was particularly sweet. They had become
the first wild card team to win the Super Bowl,
(05:59):
overcoming long odds and silencing their critics. Players like Plunkett,
Cliff Branch, and Rod Martin had etched their names in
Super Bowl history with their outstanding performances. The game was
also significant for Raiders owner Al Davis. Known for his
rebellious streak, Davis had built a team that reflected his
just win baby philosophy. This Super Bowl victory was a
(06:22):
vindication of his methods and solidified the Raiders' reputation as
one of the league's most colorful and successful franchises. For
the Eagles, the loss was a bitter disappointment. They had
overcome so much to reach their first Super Bowl, only
to fall short on the biggest stage. Ron Jaworski had
a particularly tough day, completing just eighteen of thirty eight
(06:45):
passes for two hundred and ninety one yards with one
touchdown and three interceptions. The Eagles running game, so crucial
to their success during the regular season, was completely shut down,
with Wilbert Montgomery managing just forty four yards cards on
sixteen carries. Super Bowl fifteen is remembered for several reasons
beyond the final score. It marked the Raiders' second Super
(07:07):
Bowl victory, cementing their status as one of the premier
franchises of the era. The game showcase the importance of
quarterback play in championship moments, with plunkett, steady leadership and
big playability proving to be the difference. The game also
highlighted the unpredictable nature of the NFL. The Raiders, who
had barely made the playoffs as a wild card team,
(07:29):
had defeated the heavily favored Eagles who had dominated the
regular season. It was a reminder that in football, as
in life, anything can happen once the game begins. As
we look back on Super Bowl fifteen from our vantage
point today, its significance in the history of professional football
is clear. It was a showcase for one of the
(07:50):
greatest underdog stories in NFL history, with the Raiders overcoming
long odds to reach the pinnacle of the sport. The
game served as a reminder of the importance of resilience
and self belief, with Plunkett's career resurrection serving as an
inspiration to players and fans alike. The game also marked
a changing of the guard in the NFL. The Raiders
(08:13):
victory signaled the emergence of a new power in the AFC,
while the Eagles loss marked the end of their dominance
in the NFC. It set the stage for the Raiders
to become one of the most successful and popular franchises
of the nineteen eighties, while the Eagles would have to
wait nearly three decades for another shot at Super Bowl glory.
(08:33):
In conclusion, Super Bowl fifteen stands as a pivotal moment
in NFL history. It was a game that showcased the
talents of players like Jim Plunkett, Cliff Branch and Rod Martin.
It demonstrated the importance of overcoming adversity and seizing opportunities
when they arise, and it provided a fitting climax to
one of the most improbable championship runs in NFL history.
(08:58):
From Plunkett's precision passing to cat Kenny King's record breaking
touchdown reception, from Rod Martin's three interceptions to the Raiders'
dominant defensive performance, Super Bowl fifteen provided moments that would
be remembered and discussed for decades to come. Thank you
for joining us on this journey back to Super Bowl fifteen,
a game that proved that sometimes the most memorable contests
(09:19):
are the ones where an underdog rises to the occasion,
defying expectations and capturing the imagination of football fans everywhere.
The nineteen eighty Oakland Raiders may not have been the
most talented team on paper, but on that January day
in New Orleans, they put on a display of football
excellence that still resonates in NFL history.
Welcome to our podcast on Super Bowl fifteen, a game
that marked a significant moment in NFL history and solidified
the Oakland Raiders place as one of the league's most
iconic franchises. This matchup between the Oakland Raiders and the
Philadelphia Eagles took place on January twenty fifth, nineteen eighty one,
at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. As we
(00:24):
delve into the details of this historic game, we'll explore
the lead up, the key players, the dramatic moments, and
the lasting impact of what would become the Raiders' second
Super Bowl victory. The nineteen eighty NFL season was a
year of redemption and triumph for both the Oakland Raiders
and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders, led by head coach
(00:45):
Tom Flores, had overcome significant adversity to reach the Super Bowl.
They finished the regular season with an eleven to five record,
earning a wild card spot in the playoffs. Their journey
to the Super Bowl was marked by three road victories,
including a memorable win over the Cleveland Browns and freezing
temperatures earning them the Moniker Road Warriors. At the helm
(01:05):
of the Raiders offense was quarterback Jim Plunkett, whose career
resurrection was one of the most compelling storylines of the season. Plunkett,
a former Heisman Trophy winner and first overall draft pick,
had been considered a bust after disappointing stints with the
New England Patriots in San Francisco forty nine ers. He
began the nineteen eighty season as the Raiders backup, but
(01:28):
was thrust into the starting role after an injury to
starter Dan Pasterini. Plunkett seized the opportunity, leading the Raiders
to nine wins and eleven starts and through their improbable
playoff run. Plunkett's primary targets were wide receivers Cliff Branch
and Bob Chandler, along with tight end Raymond Chester. The
Raiders running game was anchored by Mark Van Egan and
(01:49):
Kenny King, providing a balanced attack that kept defenses off balance.
On defense, the Raiders boasted a unit known for its
toughness and intimidation. The defensive, this line was led by
John Matusak and Lyle Alzado, while the secondary featured the
hard hitting Jack Tatum and Lester Hayes, who had an
incredible thirteen interceptions during the regular season. The Philadelphia Eagles, meanwhile,
(02:13):
were making their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.
Led by head coach Dick Vermail, the Eagles had been
building towards this moment for several years. They finished the
regular season with a twelve and four record, winning the
NFC East Division. The Eagles offense was led by quarterback
Ron Jaworski, nicknamed the Polish Rifle for his strong arm.
Jaworski's favorite targets were wide receivers Harold Carmichael and Charlie Smith.
(02:37):
The running game was spearheaded by Wilbert Montgomery, who had
rushed for over one thousand yards during the regular season.
On defense, the Eagles boasted one of the best units
in the league. They were led by nose tackle Charlie Johnson,
linebacker Bill Burgee, and a secondary featuring Herman Edwards and
Roynell Young. This unit had allowed the fewest points in
(02:59):
the NFL during the regular season. As game day approached,
there was a sense of anticipation and excitement. The game
began with both teams feeling each other out. The Raiders
received the opening kickoff, but were forced to punt after
a quick three and out. The Eagles first possession showed promise,
with Jaworski completing a couple of passes to move the chains. However,
the drive stalled and Philadelphia was forced to punt as well.
(03:23):
The first score of the game came midway through the
first quarter, and it set the tone for what was
to come. Jim Plunkett dropped back to pass and found
Kenny King on a short route. King turned upfield and
thanks to excellent blocking and his own speed, raced eighty
yards for a touchdown. This play not only gave the
Raiders a seven to zero lead, but also set a
then Super Bowl record for the longest touchdown pass. The Eagles,
(03:47):
stunned by this sudden turn of events, tried to respond quickly. However,
their next drive ended in disaster when Jaworski's pass was
intercepted by linebacker Rod Martin. This was the first of
Martin's three interceptions on the day, tying a Super Bowl
record that still stands. The Raiders capitalized on this turnover,
with Plunkett leading another scoring drive. This time he connected
(04:09):
with Cliff Branch for a twenty nine yard touchdown pass.
The Eagles finally managed to get on the scoreboard with
a thirty yard field goal by Tony Franklin, but their
struggles continued. Another Jaworski interception, again by Rod Martin, set
up a forty six yard field goal by Chris Barr,
giving the Raiders a seventeen to three lead at halftime.
(04:31):
As the teams headed to the locker rooms, the Eagles
were facing a significant deficit and a crisis of confidence.
Their vaunted defense had been unable to contain Plunkett and
the Raiders offense, while their own offense had been stymied
by turnovers and the raiders aggressive defense. The third quarter
saw the Raiders continue to dominate. Plunkett led another impressive drive,
(04:52):
mixing short passes with runs from Van Eagan and King.
The drive culminated in a thirteen yard touchdown pass from
Plunkett to Cliff Brands, pushing the Raiders lead to twenty
four to three. The Eagles, desperate to get back into
the game, finally managed to put together a touchdown drive.
Jaworski connected with tight end Keith Krepfel for an eight
(05:14):
yard score, cutting the Raiders' lead to twenty four to ten. However,
any hope of a comeback was quickly extinguished when Plunkett
led yet another scoring drive, this time ending with a
four yard touchdown pass to Raymond Chester. As the fourth
quarter began, the outcome of the game was no longer
in doubt. The final score was Oakland Raiders twenty seven,
Philadelphia Eagles ten. Jim Plunkett was named the game's Most
(05:37):
Valuable Player. He completed thirteen of twenty one passes for
two hundred and sixty one yards and three touchdowns with
no interceptions. His journey from draft bus to Super Bowl
MVP was complete, cementing his place in NFL lore. For
the Raiders, this victory was particularly sweet. They had become
the first wild card team to win the Super Bowl,
(05:59):
overcoming long odds and silencing their critics. Players like Plunkett,
Cliff Branch, and Rod Martin had etched their names in
Super Bowl history with their outstanding performances. The game was
also significant for Raiders owner Al Davis. Known for his
rebellious streak, Davis had built a team that reflected his
just win baby philosophy. This Super Bowl victory was a
(06:22):
vindication of his methods and solidified the Raiders' reputation as
one of the league's most colorful and successful franchises. For
the Eagles, the loss was a bitter disappointment. They had
overcome so much to reach their first Super Bowl, only
to fall short on the biggest stage. Ron Jaworski had
a particularly tough day, completing just eighteen of thirty eight
(06:45):
passes for two hundred and ninety one yards with one
touchdown and three interceptions. The Eagles running game, so crucial
to their success during the regular season, was completely shut down,
with Wilbert Montgomery managing just forty four yards cards on
sixteen carries. Super Bowl fifteen is remembered for several reasons
beyond the final score. It marked the Raiders' second Super
(07:07):
Bowl victory, cementing their status as one of the premier
franchises of the era. The game showcase the importance of
quarterback play in championship moments, with plunkett, steady leadership and
big playability proving to be the difference. The game also
highlighted the unpredictable nature of the NFL. The Raiders, who
had barely made the playoffs as a wild card team,
(07:29):
had defeated the heavily favored Eagles who had dominated the
regular season. It was a reminder that in football, as
in life, anything can happen once the game begins. As
we look back on Super Bowl fifteen from our vantage
point today, its significance in the history of professional football
is clear. It was a showcase for one of the
(07:50):
greatest underdog stories in NFL history, with the Raiders overcoming
long odds to reach the pinnacle of the sport. The
game served as a reminder of the importance of resilience
and self belief, with Plunkett's career resurrection serving as an
inspiration to players and fans alike. The game also marked
a changing of the guard in the NFL. The Raiders
(08:13):
victory signaled the emergence of a new power in the AFC,
while the Eagles loss marked the end of their dominance
in the NFC. It set the stage for the Raiders
to become one of the most successful and popular franchises
of the nineteen eighties, while the Eagles would have to
wait nearly three decades for another shot at Super Bowl glory.
(08:33):
In conclusion, Super Bowl fifteen stands as a pivotal moment
in NFL history. It was a game that showcased the
talents of players like Jim Plunkett, Cliff Branch and Rod Martin.
It demonstrated the importance of overcoming adversity and seizing opportunities
when they arise, and it provided a fitting climax to
one of the most improbable championship runs in NFL history.
(08:58):
From Plunkett's precision passing to cat Kenny King's record breaking
touchdown reception, from Rod Martin's three interceptions to the Raiders'
dominant defensive performance, Super Bowl fifteen provided moments that would
be remembered and discussed for decades to come. Thank you
for joining us on this journey back to Super Bowl fifteen,
a game that proved that sometimes the most memorable contests
(09:19):
are the ones where an underdog rises to the occasion,
defying expectations and capturing the imagination of football fans everywhere.
The nineteen eighty Oakland Raiders may not have been the
most talented team on paper, but on that January day
in New Orleans, they put on a display of football
excellence that still resonates in NFL history.
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