Super Bowl XV

The first wild card team to win it all.

Super Bowl XV was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Oakland Raiders and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Philadelphia Eagles to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1980 season. The Raiders defeated the Eagles by the score of 27–10, becoming the first wild card playoff team to win a Super Bowl. The game was played at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 25, 1981.

Quick Facts

Visitor: Oakland Raiders
Home: Philadelphia Eagles
Visitor coach: Tom Flores
Visitor record: 11–5
Visitor place: 4
Home coach: Dick Vermeil
Home record: 12–4
Home place: 2

Lore & Background

Aided by two touchdown passes from quarterback Jim Plunkett, the Raiders jumped out to a 14–0 lead in the first quarter and the Eagles never recovered. Oakland linebacker Rod Martin also intercepted Philadelphia quarterback Ron Jaworski three times for a Super Bowl record. Plunkett was named the Super Bowl MVP after completing 13 of 21 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns; he was the second Heisman Trophy winner to be named Super Bowl MVP, after Roger Staubach in Super Bowl VI.

Reader's Guide

The Raiders were making their third Super Bowl appearance after posting an 11–5 regular season record, but losing a tiebreaker to the AFC West division winner San Diego Chargers. Oakland then advanced to the Super Bowl with playoff victories over the Houston Oilers, Cleveland Browns, and San Diego. The Eagles were making their first Super Bowl appearance after posting a 12–4 regular season record and postseason victories over the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Super Bowl XV take place?

This championship game was held on January 25, 1981, inside the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. It served as a major milestone for the Oakland Raiders during their historic run.

What was the final score of Super Bowl XV?

The Oakland Raiders secured a dominant win over the Philadelphia Eagles with a final tally of 27-10. This result demonstrated the strength of both their offense and defense that night.

Which franchises faced off in Super Bowl XV?

The AFC representatives were the Oakland Raiders, while they competed against the NFC champions from Philadelphia. The game showcased a battle between two top-tier teams from different conferences.