Super Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders 27 Philadelphia Eagles 10 - MVP Raiders QB Jim Plunkett
Super Bowl XV: Raiders 27 Eagles 10 - MVP Raiders QB Jim Plunkett

The strong-armed Plunkett was the model of efficiency in the Raiders 27-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Plunkett, who did not take over as a starter until Week 6 of the season for coach Tom Flores finished 13 for 21 passing for 261 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Jim Plunkett passed for three touchdowns, including an 80-yard strike to Kenny King, as the Raiders became the first wild-card team to win the Super Bowl.

Plunkett's touchdown bomb to King -- the longest play in Super Bowl history -- gave Oakland a decisive 14-0 lead with nine seconds left in the first period.

Linebacker Rod Martin had set up Oakland's first touchdown, a 2-yard reception by Cliff Branch, with a 17-yard interception return to the Eagles' 30-yard line. The Eagles never recovered from that early deficit, managing only Tony Franklin's field goal (30 yards) and an 8-yard touchdown pass from Ron Jaworski to Keith Krepfle.

Plunkett, who became a starter in the sixth game of the season, completed 13 of 21 for 261 yards and was named the game's most valuable player.

Oakland won 9 of 11 games with Plunkett starting, but that was good enough only for second place in the AFC West, although they tied division winner San Diego with an 11-5 record.

The Raiders, who had previously won Super Bowl XI over Minnesota, had to win three playoff games to get to the championship game. Oakland defeated Houston 27-7 at home followed by road victories over Cleveland (14-12) and San Diego (34-27).

Oakland's Mark van Eeghen was the game's leading rusher with 75 yards on 18 carries. Philadelphia's Wilbert Montgomery led all receivers with six receptions for 91 yards. Branch had five for 67 and Harold Carmichael of Philadelphia five for 83.

Martin finished the game with 3 interceptions, a Super Bowl record.

Super Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders 27 Philadelphia Eagles 10 - MVP Raiders QB Jim Plunkett
Super Bowl XV Logo

Super Bowl XV MVP: Raiders QB Jim Plunkett

Super Bowl XV MVP: Raiders QB Jim Plunkett
Super Bowl XV MVP: Raiders QB Jim Plunkett

The Oakland Raiders won their second Super Bowl title as the strong-armed Jim Plunkett was the model of efficiency in the Raiders 27-10 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Plunkett -- who did not take over as a starter until Week 6 of the season for coach Tom Flores -- finished 13 for 21 passing for 261 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Raiders became the first wild-card team to win the Super Bowl, defeating Philadelphia 27-10.

After a first-quarter interception by linebacker Rod Martin, who had three picks, Plunkett hit Cliff Branch for a 2-yard touchdown. Later, Plunkett was part of the longest scoring play in Super Bowl history. With under a minute remaining in the first half, Oakland took over on its own 20-yard line. Scrambling, Plunkett found Kenny King behind the secondary and lofted a pass to him. The running back did the rest, completing an 80-yard touchdown.

The Raiders started the second half as strongly as they had finished the first. Plunkett led a 76-yard scoring drive, capping it off with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Branch.

Plunkett hadn't even become the Oakland starter until the sixth week of the season. He then led them to nine wins in their final 11 games, before winning three consecutive playoff games to reach the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XV Scoring

Teams Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Source: NFL
Oakland Raiders14010327
Philadelphia Eagles030710

 

1st Quarter

Raiders: Branch 2-yard TD pass from Plunkett (Bahr PAT), 6:04

Raiders: King 80-yard TD pass from Plunkett (Bahr PAT), 14:51

2nd Quarter

Eagles: Franklin 30-yard Field Goal, 4:32

3rd Quarter

Raiders: Branch 29-yard TD pass from Plunkett (Bahr PAT), 2:36

Raiders: Bahr 46-yard Field Goal, 10:25

4th Quarter

Eagles: Krepfle 8-yard TD pass from Jaworski (Franklin PAT), 1:01

Raiders: Bahr 35-yard Field Goal, 6:31

 

Super Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders Team Statistics

Source: NFL
Total First Downs17
Rushing First Downs6
Passing First Downs10
Penalty First Downs1
Total Net Yardage377
Total Offensive Plays56
Avg. Gain per Offensive Play6.7
Rushes34
Yards Gained Rushing (Net)117
Average Yards per Rush3.4
Passes Attempted21
Passes Completed13
Had Intercepted0
Tackled Attempting to Pass1
Yards Lost Attempting to Pass1
Yards Gained Passing (Net)260
Punts3
Average Distance42
Punt Returns2
Punt Return Yardage1
Kickoff Returns3
Kickoff Return Yardage48
Interception Return Yardage44
Fumbles0
Own Fumbles Recovered0
Opponent Fumbles Recovered1
Penalties5
Yards Penalized37
Total Points Scored27
Touchdowns3
Rushing0
Passingd3
Returns0
Extra Points3
Field Goals2
Fields Goals Attempted3
Safeties0
Third-Down Efficiency6/12
Fourth-Down Efficiency0/0
Time of Possession29:49

 

Super Bowl XV: Philadelphia Eagles Team Statistics

Source: NFL
Total First Downs19
Rushing3
Passing14
Penalty2
Total Net Yardage360
Total Offensive Plays64
Avg. Gain per Offensive Play5.6
Rushes26
Yards Gained Rushing (Net)69
Average Yards per Rush2.7
Passes Attempted38
Passes Completed18
Had Intercepted3
Tackled Attempting to Pass0
Yards Lost Attempting to Pass0
Yards Gained Passing (Net)291
Punts3
Average Distance36.3
Punt Returns3
Punt Return Yardage20
Kickoff Returns6
Kickoff Return Yardage87
Interception Return Yardage0
Fumbles1
Own Fumbles Recovered0
Opponent Fumbles Recovered0
Penalties6
Yards Penalized57
Total Points Scored10
Touchdowns1
Rushing0
Passingd1
Returns0
Extra Points1
Field Goals1
Fields Goals Attempted2
Safeties0
Third-Down Efficiency5/12
Fourth-Down Efficiency1/1
Time of Possession30:11

 

Super Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders Player Stats

Source: NFL
PassingComp / AttYardsTDINT
Plunkett13/2126130
RushingCarriesYardsTDLong
Van Eeghen187508
King 61806
Jensen 41706
Plunkett 3905
Whittington 3-202
ReceivingCatchesYardsTDLong
Branch567229t
Chandler477032
King293180t
Chester 224016
InterceptionsINTYardsLongTD
Martin344250
Punting#AVGLongBlocked
Guy342440
Punt Returns#/FCYardsLongTD
Matthews2/1120
Kickoff Returns#YardsLongTD
Matthews229210
Moody119190

 

Super Bowl XV: Philadelphia Eagles Player Stats

Source: NFL
PassingComp / AttYardsTDINT
Jaworski18/3829113
RushingCarriesYardsTDLong
Montgomery 164408
Harris 71405
Giammona1707
Harrington1404
Jaworski 1000
ReceivingCatchesYardsTDLong
Montgomery619025
Carmichael583029
Smith259043
Krepfle 21618t
Spagnola 122022
Parker 119019
Harris 1101
InterceptionsINTYardsLongTD
None
Punting#AVGLongBlocked
Runager336.7460
Punt Returns#/FCYardsLongTD
Sciarra2/018120
Henry1/0220
Kickoff Returns#YardsLongTD
Campfield587210
Harrington1000

January 25, 1981

Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Attendance: 76,135

National Anthem: Helen O'Connell

Coin Toss: Marie Lombardi, widow of Vince Lombardi

Halftime Show: Jim Skinner Productions presents "Mardi Gras Festival"

Network: NBC

Announcers: Dick Enberg, Merlin Olsen, John Brodie, and Len Dawson

Nielsen ratings: 44.4 (est. 68.29 million viewers)

Cost of 30-second commercial: $324,000

Super Bowl XV: Raiders vs. Eagles Highlights

 

Super Bowl XV: Ticket & Championship Ring

Super Bowl XV Championship Ring and Game Ticket

NFL Football: "Super Bowl XV: Oakland Raiders 27 Philadelphia Eagles 10 - MVP Raiders QB Jim Plunkett"