Editing Super Bowl XV (section)

===Playoffs===
{{Further|1980–81 NFL playoffs}}
The Eagles advanced through the playoffs, defeating the [[1980 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], 31–16, and the [[1980 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]], 20–7.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles - January 3rd, 1981 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198101030phi.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles - January 11th, 1981 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198101110phi.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

Meanwhile, Plunkett and the Raiders defeated the [[1980 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]] 27–7, the [[1980 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] 14–12 (on a play known as [[Red Right 88]]), and the [[1980 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] 34–27.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Houston Oilers at Oakland Raiders - December 28th, 1980 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198012280rai.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns - January 4th, 1981 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198101040cle.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers - January 11th, 1981 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198101110sdg.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In doing so, Oakland became the second [[wild card (sports)|wild card]] team to advance to the Super Bowl since the 1970 merger, the first from the AFC, and the first wild card team to win three postseason rounds since the NFL expanded to a 10-team playoff format in [[1978 NFL season|1978]].  Hayes had a spectacular performance in the playoffs, adding 5 more interceptions to give him a total of 18 picks in 19 games.