1980 Philadelphia Eagles: Flying High Again
In 1960, the Philadelphia Eagles sat atop the football world, winning the NFL Championship that year. What followed, however, was a long stretch of losing seasons, as the team struggled to string together anything meaningful. Then, in the 1970s, the inspirational story of wide receiver Vince Papale unfolded, from 1976 to 1978, and just two years after Papale’s departure, the 1980 Philadelphia Eagles had rediscovered much of what had made their football history so great.
The 1980 Philadelphia Eagles finished the regular season 12-4, tying the Dallas Cowboys atop the NFC East before claiming the division on a tiebreaker. Philadelphia went 6-2 in divisional play and 9-3 within the conference.
Offensive Weapons in 1980
Ron Jaworski’s Efficient Season
Affectionately known as “Jaws,” quarterback Ron Jaworski was an efficient passer throughout his career. In 1980, Jaworski completed 257 of 451 pass attempts for 3,529 yards and 27 touchdowns, posting a 57 percent completion rate while throwing just 12 interceptions. Jaworski capped the season by winning the Bert Bell Award.
A Deep Running Back Corps
Running back Wilbert Montgomery started 12 games, rushing 193 times for 778 yards and 8 touchdowns while adding 50 receptions for 407 yards and 2 touchdowns. Fullback Leroy Harris carried the ball 104 times for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with 15 receptions for 207 yards and 1 touchdown. Running back Louie Giammona rushed 97 times for 361 yards and 4 touchdowns while catching 17 passes for 178 yards and 1 touchdown. Running back Billy Campfield rushed 44 times for 120 yards and 1 touchdown, adding 26 receptions for 275 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Perry Harrington rushed 32 times for 166 yards and 1 touchdown.
Receivers and Tight Ends
Wide receiver Charlie Smith caught 47 passes for 825 yards and 3 touchdowns, while wide receiver Harold Carmichael hauled in 48 receptions for 815 yards and 9 touchdowns. Tight end Keith Krepfle added 30 receptions for 450 yards and 4 touchdowns, and tight end John Spagnola caught 18 passes for 197 yards and 3 touchdowns. Wide receiver Scott Fritzkee had 6 receptions for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns, and wide receiver Rodney Parker caught 9 passes for 148 yards and 1 touchdown.
Special Teams and Defense
Contributions on Special Teams
The Eagles also found plenty of success on special teams. Campfield returned 26 kicks for 540 yards, while defensive back John Sciarra returned 36 punts for 330 yards. Wide receiver Wally Henry added 26 punt returns for 22 yards and 7 kickoff returns for 154 yards, and Harrington chipped in 6 kickoff returns for 104 yards.
A Ball-Hawking Defense
Philadelphia’s defense specialized in taking the ball away from opposing offenses. Free safety Bernard Wilson picked off 6 passes for 79 yards, and left cornerback Roynell Young added 4 interceptions. Right cornerback Herm Edwards and nose tackle Charlie Johnson each recorded 3 interceptions, while right outside linebacker Jerry Robinson had 2 interceptions and 4 fumble recoveries. Defensive back Richard Blackmore also chipped in 2 interceptions.
A Dominant Regular Season
The 1980 Philadelphia Eagles were flying high again, racing out to an 11-1 stretch that included a 3-0 start and an impressive eight-game winning streak. That streak began in Week 5 on October 5 with a 24-14 win over division rival Washington, and it ended in Week 12 on November 23 with a 10-7 win over the Oakland Raiders.
The Playoff Run to Super Bowl XV
Divisional Round: Eagles vs. Vikings
The Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs pitted the Philadelphia Eagles against the Minnesota Vikings on January 3. The Eagles won 31-16. Minnesota struck first, as wide receiver Sammy White caught a 30-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, and running back Ted Brown punched in a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Philadelphia answered emphatically, starting with a 9-yard touchdown reception by Carmichael. In the third quarter, Wilbert Montgomery added an 8-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14-14. The Eagles then hit a speed bump when Ron Jaworski was sacked in the end zone for a safety, giving Minnesota two points courtesy of defensive tackle Doug Martin and linebacker Matt Blair. Philadelphia answered again with a 5-yard touchdown run by Montgomery. In the fourth quarter, kicker Tony Franklin hit a 33-yard field goal, and Perry Harrington punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to secure the victory.
NFC Championship: Eagles vs. Cowboys
The NFC Championship Game on January 11 reunited two bitter division rivals, as the Eagles took on the Dallas Cowboys once again. The result favored Philadelphia, as the Eagles won 20-7. In the first quarter, Montgomery broke free of Dallas defenders for a 42-yard touchdown run. The Cowboys’ only score came in the second quarter, when running back Tony Dorsett punched in a 2-yard touchdown run. In the third quarter, Tony Franklin kicked a 26-yard field goal, Leroy Harris added a 9-yard touchdown run, and Franklin closed the scoring with a 20-yard field goal.
Super Bowl XV: Eagles vs. Raiders
Representing the NFC in Super Bowl XV, the 1980 Philadelphia Eagles appeared to have a legitimate chance of taking home the Lombardi Trophy. It wasn’t meant to be, however, as they fell to the AFC champion Oakland Raiders 27-10 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on January 25. Despite the bittersweet ending, the Eagles had put together a remarkable season that turned the franchise’s fortunes around, at least for the near future. For a brief period, Philadelphia football fans got to see what winning football looked like.
